Adding another Battery??

[bASS_BLASTER]

Hi all,

I'm not sure if there's already a Forum for this topic but I want to add another 12v battery to my XB21.

Why? The night before I charged the batteries fully and correctly. The next day, I troll and fished all day and when it was time to leave there weren't enough juice to crank my motor. I had to troll back to the ramp. My idea is to add another 12v battery with a kill switch as a reserve and use it only for cranking the motor in case of an emergency.

Questions:

1. Is it ok to drill small little screw to mount a battery on the driver, rear compartment? (See picture)

2. Will this be a major balance issue?


I wish the trolling motor and outboard motor didn't share the same batteries. If anyone has any advice or other ideas please let me know.

[Hydrilla Gear]

There should be no need to have to add a battery. What group size batts are you running? How old are they and have you checked to make sure your batts are getting a full charge?

How did you have enough juice to troll back to the ramp yet not enough to crank the big power? That usually does not happen in my opinion.

I run two group 31 optima's in my boat. 24v troller 80lb minnkota, l leave my graph/gps on all day as well as livewell on timer all day. I tourney fish with this set up and have for over 2 years and have never even heard the sign of a weak battery. I believe you should be able to use 2 batteries in that boat with no issue.

obviously it is your right to add a battery if you want. I am not sure about screwing locations but I would say adding a battery will change the balance of that hull.

[bASS_BLASTER]

That's exactly what boggled my mind. I had plenty of power to troll back but didn't have enough power to crank the motor...???? The Boat, motors and batteries are brand new, 2010. The trolling motor is 82lb 24v powered by 2 Interstate SRM-24 12v Deep Cycle Batteries.

hmm?? If you fish tourneys and haven't had any issues then its possible I could just have a bad battery. I'll charge it and try it again this weekend to see if the same problems occurs, the batteries are still under warranty.

I certainlly do not want to drill or add another battery unless I have to. I just hope this doesn't happen to me on my tournament days. Thanks Hydrilla!!




Modified by bASS_BLASTER at 1:17 PM 8/18/2010

[AllyFishing]

bass blaster...sent ya an IM

[Hydrilla Gear]

Not sayin that this is your only issue but them SRM 24's ain't gunna cut it bottom line!!!

If you plan to stay in the Interstate Battery led acid line you will not be able to run only 2 batteries. They do not have a battery to meat your demands. You will have to run a 3rd unfortunatly.

If you want, You can get Optimas from your Interstate dealer. You will be able to run two batteries if you do this. But its gunna be some cha ching. I run the two Optima 31's zero problems.

[RoadrashPaul]

Here is a link to a list of batteries that meet the requirements.

http://www.bbcboards.net/zerothread?id=346429

[F150owner]

Blaster,

As stated in the previous posts, you should be fine with three batteries (two trolling batteries and a starter battery). Do not, repeat, do not add a fourth battery. The trolling batteries are on a separate circuit from your starting battery -using them all day has no impact on your starting battery.

You've either got a low starter battery or an engine problem. The trolling motor should not share the starter battery if you're on a 24v trolling motor. If you have a 36 volt trolling motor, then the dealer would have wired the batteries up where the starter battery was included.

When you went to start the engine at the end of the day, did it labor to turn over? did it make clicking noises but not start? Did you simply turn the key and nothing happen? Did the graphs and livewells have power, but the engine just wouldn't turn over? How long did you fish and not start the engine? Have you gone through the break-in process on your new engine?

Let us know!

[catfish123]

Duane.......I think he only had 2 batteries and now he is thinking of adding a third battery...........not a fourth. I would agree that in a 2 battery system, you want more than 2- 24 series batteries. I have been running 2-27 series for years and they take care of a 24 volt trolling motor, all electronics, and starting the Merc. Reserve capacity on Optima batteries for the price is not good in my opinion.

[F150owner]

Gotcha Catfish!

The starter battery should be in a plastic box below the oil tank. He needs a third battery for the starter and electronics in that case. I got three batteries when the dealer rigged my boat. I assumed that was the standard.

[Meyers]

BB...I sent you an IM.

[AllyFishing]

Guys, I had him call me today when I saw his post. He did not know that his cranking battery was under the oil reservoir tray. And that is quite understandable to miss that. Had I bought my rig with a new Merc motor on and the oil reservoir was on top of the battery I know I would have been scratching my head for a bit. Fortunately, I premix so C&O took the oil tank out and said "OH, BTW there's your cranking battery

I honestly think that some dealerships are so accustomed to their own rigs that they take for granted that a new owner knows everything there is about a new boat. That may be so with the cookie cutters but Allisons deserve a higher level of respect and therefore the dealer should go over it with a fine tooth comb with the new owner.

I'm sure glad we stopped at the factory on the way home with ours to meet the "family" cuz Mrs. Allison hopped right up in our boat and started showing me everything and actually found a few things wrong and corrected it right then and there.

[F2008]

Okay, ..... now it's on to what it was that drained the cranking battery.

[AllyFishing]

Don, my guess is that the boat sat there on the lot long enough to allow the battery to drain. Especially if electrical stuff was turned on occasionally to demo and the engine trim up and down etc. etc. I saw this rig when we were at the Rally and made the lake trip up to Linda's. Beautiful!

I'll show ya my bilge area when i get up there to see ya and test props. It is deep and the battery is in the bottom of a plastic box with a oil reservoir on top of that in a tray. Pain th the arse to get at.

[F2008]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by AllyFishing &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Don, my guess is that the boat sat there on the lot long enough to allow the battery to drain. Especially if electrical stuff was turned on occasionally to demo and the engine trim up and down etc. etc........</td></tr></table>

Ya think?? I thought the new Merc motors come with an alternators like the one on a police car.

[AllyFishing]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by F2008 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">

Ya think?? I thought the new Merc motors come with an alternators like the one on a police car.

</td></tr></table>


OK, I'm not disagreeing that maybe something drained the battery.

Perry, throw the charger on that battery and then see if it stays charged up.

[rward69]

If your running two batteries and actually fish in tournament conditions, your asking to get stranded.... I cant count the times that my batteries have gotten really weak or died due to high wind conditions. I would hate to know that I had to try and start the big motor on the trollers with a 20 mile run back to the ramp..... If I didnt fish much and just wanted to be lighter, to go faster, then two may be the ticket....

[bASS_BLASTER]

Craig and everyone,

Thanks for clearing things up. I went home, located the crank battery under the oil tank and charged it. All the batteries are charged now. I measured all the voltage and they read 13.50 - 13.70. The hummingbird low battery warning is gone so I assume things are good. As you all pointed, it must of sat there for such a long time and me being a new owner, I had no idea it was there. Its a great thing I asked b/c I would've kick myself for buying another battery and drilled holes into the rear storages. All I need now is an onboard 3 bank charger.


Again, thanks a lot guys. I really appreciate all responses!


Modified by bASS_BLASTER at 8:42 AM 8/19/2010

[RoadrashPaul]

Don't be afraid to ask about anything. There are a TON of knowledgable people on this site that are willing to go out of there way to help.

[AllyFishing]

Hey Paul...I like your taste in Avatar's!! LOL!! I see ya changed it up again!

[RoadrashPaul]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by AllyFishing &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Hey Paul...I like your taste in Avatar's!! LOL!! I see ya changed it up again! </td></tr></table>

Yeah as good as the other was... I thought it was time for a change. It's getting about football time so I thought it was only right for the Packers ladies to let em out!!! GO PACK!!!