Questions about connecting 2 12v batteries together

[Jbaer062]

I have 2 12v batteries in my bass tracker one 24 series and one 27 series that are both right around 1 year old...my question is how do I hook them together? If I do connect them together will they last longer as a pair because as of now I'm having trouble finishing a 8hr tournament they are basically dead by the time I'm done..I'm running a 12v minn kota trolling motor 2 helix 10 graphs and livewell is all that's running..I know that's alot but how can I extend the life of my batteries?

[hatcreek]

Use one (the 27) as a cranking battery and to run your peripherals.

Get another 24 and wire it parallel with the existing one to run your TM.

[mactlman]

need 27 for engine and 2 24 for TM in parallel

[Jbaer062]

This may sound dumb but there's only room for 2 batteries in the back of my boat..would you suggest moving the 24 to there front and run only TM of of those 2?

[chris c]

Put a battery in one of the rear storage comaortments

[secdawgs]

Put a battery in one of the rear storage comaortments

This is how I have mine

[hatcreek]

This may sound dumb but there's only room for 2 batteries in the back of my boat..would you suggest moving the 24 to there front and run only TM of of those 2?

Sorry, can't help you with the spacing as I'm not familiar with your rig's layout.

My boat's 17'9"... I put both TM batteries under the front deck and left the cranking battery aft.

[Kansas Basser]

turn the

batteries

sideway, you can get three in it

[21XDC]

Mixing batteries should be of the same size and age.... Running them that low is killing them prematurely.

[billnorman1]

Sounds to me like he is running his 12 volt motor off one battery as well as his accessories. Leaving one dedicated to starting. Since you only have a 12 volt troller, wire an additional 12 volt battery in parallel with the one for your trolling motor, double your available trolling motor time. If you are running a 5 speed trolling motor you will get longer service with an economizer style % motor if there is one made for 12 volts.

[mactlman]

2 batteries and a 24v TM even better of an option?

[vatreefarmer]

Mixing batteries should be of the same size and age.... Running them that low is killing them prematurely.

Interesting. My Ford diesel has a tendency to EAT it's dual batteries, needing replacement every 2.5 years or so. My tuners gauges show that voltage drops to 11.5v during the first minute after starting (glow plugs) before returning to 13.4. Now I know why. I upgraded the alternator to a higher output unit, but it only reduces the time it takes to regain 13+ voltage, but the voltage still bottoms out at 11.5

[21XDC]

Interesting. My Ford diesel has a tendency to EAT it's dual batteries, needing replacement every 2.5 years or so. My tuners gauges show that voltage drops to 11.5v during the first minute after starting (glow plugs) before returning to 13.4. Now I know why. I upgraded the alternator to a higher output unit, but it only reduces the time it takes to regain 13+ voltage, but the voltage still bottoms out at 11.5

That is not the same... You are seeing a voltage drop at start.... The battery is probably not run down that low.

[Highcentered]

I would do it right and replace the trolling battery with a group 31 deepcycle and replace the cranking/acc battery with a group 29 or 31 dual purpose battery. And replacing your trolling motor with a 55lb Maxxum would help out a lot too if you just have a regular 5 speed troller like an Edge.

[Matt E.]

I have a 17 aluminum that I run a MK 80 lb Fortrex, Helix 9, 360, livewells, crank the motor and an 898 off of two batteries. I use two group 31 batteries from O'Reillys. Motor and all 12 volt accessories run from one battery and then the TM is hooked to both, jumper wire between the two for the 24 volt TM. Used to have a 60 4 stroke, now have a 90 2 banger. I can run two livewell pumps all day constantly and have no issues. Batteries usually last around 3 years but I fish most weekends. The boat was rigged that way when I got it and it has worked well.