Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

How are you monitoring your batteries? Across both batteries to read 24V, or each battery seperatly to read 12V using two displays? I want to monitor the trolling motor batteries but am looking at what everyone else seems to be using/doing.

I don't monitor mine. They're on a bank charger that gets plugged in once off the water so they're always fresh when I take the boat out. My trolling motor has a button you can push that shows state of charge, but I never check it.......

If your using them together use the 24 volt meter, then use a duel bank charger to charge them the same and not over charge

I have them on a bank charger, Guest 2 Bank, at 24V. I did not know if there was any advantage to monitoring them seperatly. My trolling motor, Minn Kota Terrova 80, has an indicator on it but is a PITA to use. I was thinking on the LED readout.

BillieS wrote:I have them on a bank charger, Guest 2 Bank, at 24V. I did not know if there was any advantage to monitoring them seperatly. My trolling motor, Minn Kota Terrova 80, has an indicator on it but is a PITA to use. I was thinking on the LED readout.

I too, have a minn kota terrova 80, which have indicator lights...

charged with dual bank Minn Kota charger...

i monitor the batteries by.... 'if the motor isn't very strong.... mmmm... i guess they are dead now' ??

I'm ignorant in the ways of bank chargers. What are those, and how do they work? Do you wire them up to the generator on the boat?

Thanks Handyman! I think that is what I will do. Then if any indications show less than 24V i will check each battery individually and load test. I just replaced both batteries and want to get the best I can from them without killing one or the other.

C_M_25 wrote:I'm ignorant in the ways of bank chargers. What are those, and how do they work? Do you wire them up to the generator on the boat?

You plug them in when you get back to dock or home and they stay hooked up, then when you plug it in it decides if it needs charged and then make sure both batteries are fully charged, even hooked up 24 v it still charges each battery at 12 v separately, that way if your using one battery for 12 v for the radio or other things on the boat, then it will charge the low battery but not the one not used to make them last longer