Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

As I'm learning about my toon, I came across something I'd probably like to change.

I've seen mention here of battery switches for multiple batteries.

I used to be familiar with them for fire trucks, ambulances, etc.


The trolling motor on my toon is hooked to an isolated battery under the drivers console that is not charged by the Yamaha motor.

For starters, I could hook it to a charger, or bring it home from the marina and charge it.

However, what would be the best way wire it so that the outboard charges it?

Ideas?

i dunno how you'd wire that... because.... well, just because i have minimal boat/electrical skills.. and, I've not heard of charging a trolling battery from engine... i THINK it's because of the S L O W rate in which the motor recharges the battery.... would be kinda comparable to a 3 amp charger.. would take about 15 hours or so to charge a trolling battery...

Use a blue-sea add-a-battery. It will charge it while you're driving around.

BobG wrote:Use a blue-sea add-a-battery. It will charge it while you're driving around.

X2,
I have the Blue Sea Add A Battery kit charging two batteries under my helm and the engine battery in the rear. My engine gives 40 amps to the battery that needs it. The engine gives out the full 40 amps after about 1000 rpm's. It will charge the low battery in a short period. I have not used a battery charger in the last three months since installing the Blue Sea's kit on my pontoon. The only negative was installing the 4 awg battery cables from the helm batteries to the rear battery and cost of the cables. But, well worth it (IMHO).

I had the same system on my Sea Cat and did not charge the batteries in a year since the system was installed. The guy I sold the boat to has not used his battery charger on the Sea Cat ever (six months).

Rascal

You don't need the whole add a battery kit. You just need the ACR which can be bought separately.

65A version
http://www.bluesea.com/products/7601/m- ... 24V_DC_65A

120A version
http://www.bluesea.com/products/7610/SI ... 4V_DC_120A

I have looked at some of the "on boat" charging systems as well, but we do a lot of fishing when we go out, and although we may be out fishing for 8 or more hours some days, the actual running time of the main engine may be an hour at most. I am considering a solar panel, as I believe I would get much more charging time from that, than I would using the main motor.