12 volt batteries

[coombro]

Been reading on some comments about some guys running out of voltage on thier batteries during a days fishing. Being an avid fisherman myself my boat is set up on 12 volts. A 14 ft jon boat with 9.8 mercury outboard. I decked my boat out for fishing the cumberland river. Two transom 40lb trolling motors one up front one on the back. Two depth finders pulling 2,000 watts run all day. I parallel two twelve volt batteries. Have not run even close to loosing proper voltage since. I located them in middle of boat to keep transom higher out of water for those shallow times on the river. Positive to positive neg to neg. Only draw back, have to charge them one at a time.

[Embrey]

not sure why you couldnt charge them at the same time...

[coombro]

not sure why you couldnt charge them at the same time...

Not sure my charger cold handle it?

[waynew]

Charger will charge both batteries. It will just take longer.

[DJD]

I would consider charging both at the same time if I had a high amp charger but if I had a 5amp or less I would do it one at a time.

Alot of guys run out of juice cause they are drawing more current from their power source. You have a 12 volt maybe (200 amp hour) source to pull from with less draw than a full sized rig. You have to consider weight, heat and wire size when you have the option of rigging the boat yourself....sounds like you did it right!

[Embrey]

been charging all mine together all year

[coombro]

stumbled upon this idea when i noticed my origianal battery not holding up as long as it use to. With the dam repair fishing hours on cumberland river increased. I purchased my new battery and didnt want to discard my old one so I paralell wired them. Charging them one at a time I have noticed that they both dont draw down the same. There are times when one of the wont take a charge at all. Doesnt need it. My old bettery is about 8 yrs old now and iwont part with it.

[DJD]

What make is the old one?

[gilly]

Two depth finders pulling 2,000 watts run all day.

your depth finders aren't pulling 2000 watts. a 2 battery 24volt setup will outlast 2 parralleled.

[coombro]

your depth finders aren't pulling 2000 watts. a 2 battery 24volt setup will outlast 2 parralleled.

I run an Eagle Cuda at 800 watts and a Humming bird w/gps at 1200 watts two 40 lb troling motors. both dont run at same time, but at times have. Fishing from dusk to dawn thats quite a draw. One battery cant handle the load so i've tried two with great sucess. I agree the higher the voltage the lighter the load, but i've no need for 24volt.

[coombro]

What make is the old one?

The old battery is a new castle profesional series, super thrust a 2003 model. Paired up with a Bass pro power series 175 2008 model. My buddies run out of baterry ,but i still run strong. We fish the currents so the trolling motor is usually on a higher speed. This really works extra weight, but its like the bunnie it keeps going.

[gilly]

I run an Eagle Cuda at 800 watts and a Humming bird w/gps at 1200 watts two 40 lb troling motors. both dont run at same time, but at times have. Fishing from dusk to dawn thats quite a draw. One battery cant handle the load so i've tried two with great sucess. I agree the higher the voltage the lighter the load, but i've no need for 24volt.

that's your transducer rating, not power comsumption. 2000 watts @ 12 volts would be more than 160 amps and would melt your wires.