If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity,
nothing else matters.
Been fishin' since I was 5 years old...Thanks Grandpa!
Everyone that has told you to get the Batteries Plus X2 group 31 had given you good advice. I would also put your console graph in Standby mode when you are on the front deck, you don't need it on and it draws plenty of juice. Are you keeping fish all day since you are running the livewell pumps? If your catching fish to eat, knock them on the head and throw them in the cooler, they'll be even fresher than keeping them in the livewell till you get home! Here's the X2: https://www.batteriesplus.com/produc...ls/sli31agmdpm
Read this, but don't get the Optima Blue Top, it won't work for you! It will start your motor until you load it up with the rest of your electronics.
http://www.bbcboards.net/showthread....batteries+meet
I....I can't believe people have this lack of understanding about how these alternators work, or about simple physics.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservation_of_energy
Relevant snippet that tells everyone thinking the alternators just make energy out of thin air that it's not even theoretically possible...even if the alternator was 100% efficient (which can't be achieved):
Let me reiterate: the ONLY THING these alternators do is distribute power from the motor's alternator to the trolling motor batteries AFTER THE CRANKING BATTERY IS FULLY CHARGED. If the cranking battery isn't getting fully charged - WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE - the added alternator is a paper weight, at best. And since it's not 100% efficient (you're losing some of the energy generated in the system via heat), you're not achieving that "at best" scenario. The trolling motor batteries are not the issue here, so the problem the alternators might solve isn't the one that needs solving! Apologies for the caps, but seems to be the only way that might make it through some very, very thick skulls.A consequence of the law of conservation of energy is that a perpetual motion machine of the first kind cannot exist, that is to say, no system without an external energy supply can deliver an unlimited amount of energy to its surroundings.
2011 Skeeter ZX225
225 Yamaha HPDI Series 2
Minn Kota Ultrex 112 52"
Console: HDS 16 Carbon
Bow: HDS 12 Carbon, Solix 12 G2, Mega 360, Garmin 106 SV, LVS 34
Last edited by Kwell215; 06-15-2018 at 11:30 AM.
You haven't taken the time to actually read any of the posts anyone has made about this, or taken the time to understand what your alternator is doing for you, have you? Be honest.
To answer your question: Nope, haven't used it on my boat because it has a stator that doesn't generate enough power to fully charge my cranking battery, let alone make extra to charge my trolling motor batteries. Instead of just asking everyone if they've used the magical device, how about you tell us how adding the alternator that's made to charge trolling batteries after the cranking battery is fully charged will help the OP whose cranking battery is dying on him?
Assumption critic is laughable. The literature for the damn thing says EXACTLY what everyone else has been saying about it. The motor has an alternator, what is adding another one hooked up to different batteries than the one going dead going to solve?
2011 Skeeter ZX225
225 Yamaha HPDI Series 2
Minn Kota Ultrex 112 52"
Console: HDS 16 Carbon
Bow: HDS 12 Carbon, Solix 12 G2, Mega 360, Garmin 106 SV, LVS 34
Here, I just made a pretty diagram to show how the extra alternator works. Note that without it, we're in the diagram at the top left. If we added it to this setup, we're at the top right in the best case scenario where the alternator isn't leaching power. In cases where the big motor runs long enough to fully charge the cranking battery, we arrive at the bottom diagram and this is where the alternator can be of benefit. Since the big motor isn't fully charging the cranking battery, the alternator would do nothing, as in the top right, except add some extra connections.
2011 Skeeter ZX225
225 Yamaha HPDI Series 2
Minn Kota Ultrex 112 52"
Console: HDS 16 Carbon
Bow: HDS 12 Carbon, Solix 12 G2, Mega 360, Garmin 106 SV, LVS 34
This has been entertaining, I need to get back to work. I agree with what DrewFlu33 is saying about the MK Alternator. OP Just go pick up the X2 AGM group 31 from Batteries Plus and go fish, should fix all your troubles, your cranking battery is just worn out.
You do realize a motor alternator is not the same thing. Right??? You're not actually adding another "alternator" with the MK Alternator. It simply transfers the 12V power to the TM batteries at 10 Amp per channel, the remainding amps is still supplied to the cranking battery.
Using it on a 20ft TRX w a 250 Pro XS. 4X 12V with a 112 Ultrex. 4 HB units, (2 solix, 2 Helix G2N). In-line volt meter at dash for main battery and one at bow for TM feed. MK Alternator 3DC.
Console units have a dedicated parallel circuit to the cranking battery, 10 gauge, 20 amp in-line main fuse, kill switch on accessory switch, ferrite rings (power lines and txdr), individually fused to each unit, and braided shield on power wire was stripped back and grounded to the (-) battery lead. Bow units connected on a parallel circuit just like the console units (12V) to the middle battery on the TM 36V series chain, braided shield was grounded as well, but to the same ground. Ferrite ring also added to the TM power lines (interference reduction purposes). Txrds have in line ferrite cores, 8mm for the solix units (one on TM, one on transom). One helix txdr with ring (transom mounted), no ring/core on high speed thru hill txdr. 5-port is on the cranking battery as well.
With this setup (again by moving some accessories to the TM batteries), will conserve power off the cranking battery. In a 20 min run (meaning main engine is running - I know you seem to get lost about this point and where the power is generating from), I have had the cranking battery go up .5V and as much as 2V on the TM (per the volt meters). That's how this will help his cranking battery situation.
At times, with the battery switch set to "both" (parallel circuit off the last battery of the TM series) has not caused any issues while running the main engine with the MK alternator connected. If I'm running live wells all day in a tournament, I'll switch it to "both" to drain less power off the cranking battery, thus sharing the load. TM works fine and will last a full tournament day.
Last edited by Kwell215; 06-15-2018 at 01:25 PM.
PS. Fishing 18 hours on the water and not running your motor very much would try any battery.
20180615_223345.jpg
I fixed your diagram. You're missing the wire from the main engine (you know, the component that generates power) "key on" signal that turns on the MK Alternator - when the engine is running. It's rather important!!! The MK alt will not be powered on without it.... And no, it doesn't drain the cranking battery at all when the engine is not running.
Last edited by Kwell215; 06-16-2018 at 12:21 AM.
Looks like Devil Dog has left the building??