Battery Configuration? (HDS 12, Ghost in 24V mode, and outboard motor)

[KeepinItReel]

I have been looking to upgrade my 16 ft tracker boat but have been unable to find what I am looking for just yet. I have decided to make some modifications to my current boat in the interim. I purchased a new HDS Carbon 12 and a Lowrance Ghost trolling motor. I have 2 old group 27 batteries in my boat now, and am going to be upgrading those to 3 new group 29 batteries. Any suggestions on the type or brand of battery I should get?

 

My understanding is that I need to put the graph, outboard, and all other accessories on one of the batteries and then run the trolling motor on the other two batteries linked together in a series. What I am unsure about is how I am going to keep these charged. Am I able to use a single 3 bank charging system and hook this up to all 3 batteries even though the multi purpose battery will be wired independently of the 2 trolling motor batteries? Is there a better way to do this?

 

If someone could please provide some clarity for me on how I should go about this setup and some advise on what 3 new batteries to get I would really appreciate it.

[redmexican5081]

A three bank charger is for 3 12v batteries. This will handle your 2 TM batteries and your cranking battery. Each bank is wired independently to one battery. As for battery brand, I’ve heard good things about the Duracell AGMs from Sams Club but I haven’t tried them yet, my original discount purchased AC Delco are still going strong. 

[KeepinItReel]

11 minutes ago, redmexican5081 said:

A three bank charger is for 3 12v batteries. This will handle your 2 TM batteries and your cranking battery. Each bank is wired independently to one battery. As for battery brand, I’ve heard good things about the Duracell AGMs from Sams Club but I haven’t tried them yet, my original discount purchased AC Delco are still going strong. 

Awesome. Thanks for the information, that clears that up. I did some research on which 3 Bank charger to get and am going to get a dual pro 15amp 3 bank charger.

 

I am going to go cheap on the batteries. I was debating between the everstart maxx and NAPA marine batteries. NAPA has a deal right now if I get 3 I save $30 each, they run $150 for group 31. The NAPA only come in group 27 or 31, but the NAPA group 31 weighs the same as the everstart group 29 does. The everstart maxx cost $99 each. I'd be paying $60 more with the discount for the NAPA 31s. I have heard that NAPA marine batteries are pretty good for lead acid style, I'm leaning that way at the moment. 

[redmexican5081]

You probably already know this but for the TM you want deep cycle batteries and for the cranking battery you want a battery that has enough CCA/MCA to power the starter.  Some use a dual purpose battery for this because of the drain that lots of electronics and accessories can put on the starting battery. My setup is 2 group 27 deep cycle for the TM and a group 24 for cranking.  I also carry a jump pack onboard because I know one of these days the cranking will not have the juice to turn over the motor at the end of a long day.

[Jig Man]

One thing not mentioned here is Reserve capacity.  That determines how long your batteries will give your trolling motor good power.  The higher that number the better.

[KeepinItReel]

8 hours ago, redmexican5081 said:

You probably already know this but for the TM you want deep cycle batteries and for the cranking battery you want a battery that has enough CCA/MCA to power the starter.  Some use a dual purpose battery for this because of the drain that lots of electronics and accessories can put on the starting battery. My setup is 2 group 27 deep cycle for the TM and a group 24 for cranking.  I also carry a jump pack onboard because I know one of these days the cranking will not have the juice to turn over the motor at the end of a long day.

Does one batteries need to be a dual purpose battery? I have heard conflicting views about this. Also, if so, does it need to be dual purpose or can it be a starter/cranking battery without the dual deep cycle capability? I will be running the ghost on 2x group 31 deep cycle batteries and everything else on the 3rd battery.

 

I need to figure out the 3rd battery. The brands I was considering don't seem to have a dual purpose battery in group 31 size,in fact they only have them in size 27 max, am I just not finding them? Is there another name for them? I ruled out the Everstart Maxx and was looking to pickup NAPA or Excite batteries today. Would be nice to find NAPA dual purpose in group 31 as I'd get the 20% off 3 batteries deal.

 

Here are the links.

 

Group 31 Deep Cycle

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NBP8231

 

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Nautilus-31-Deep-Cycle-Marine-Battery-31MDC/205309650

 

Group 27 Dual Purpose (can't find bigger)

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NBP8270

 

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Nautilus-27-Dual-Purpose-Marine-Battery-27MDP/205309649

[KeepinItReel]

I think I figured it out. The outboard I have now doesn't take much CCA to start, the 650 these NAPA group 31s provide is more than enough. I plan to go 36V on the Ghost when I upgrade my boat, so I will purchase a separate dual purpose/starting battery at that time for the bigger outboard and use these 3 group 31 NAPA batteries for the trolling motor. Thanks again for all the advice and suggestions! 

[Hower08]

I just bought 2 new batteries from advanced auto. Ordered online and saved $50 with a coupon they send you through email. Picked them up in store 30 min later. got two brand new group 29 deep cycles for $184. I went to a marine cranking battery from them last year as well and love it. The new everstarts are junk the older ones were well worth there money not, not so much now

[Jig Man]

Looking at your list, I’d get the Natulis group 31 for all of them.  It can handle your engine and tmotor.

[KeepinItReel]

I pulled the trigger and got 3 of the NAPA group 31 marine batteries and saved 20% ($32 each) for purchasing 3 of them. Should be more than enough CCA for my small outboard. When I get a newer boat I will just get a separate cranking/dual purpose battery.

[slonezp]

On 4/7/2020 at 12:14 AM, KeepinItReel said:

Awesome. Thanks for the information, that clears that up. I did some research on which 3 Bank charger to get and am going to get a dual pro 15amp 3 bank charger.

 

I am going to go cheap on the batteries. I was debating between the everstart maxx and NAPA marine batteries. NAPA has a deal right now if I get 3 I save $30 each, they run $150 for group 31. The NAPA only come in group 27 or 31, but the NAPA group 31 weighs the same as the everstart group 29 does. The everstart maxx cost $99 each. I'd be paying $60 more with the discount for the NAPA 31s. I have heard that NAPA marine batteries are pretty good for lead acid style, I'm leaning that way at the moment. 

Get the NAPA's They are made by Deka. I have 3 for my 36v trolling motor. I have never had to add water. Can't say that for the Everstarts I had prior.