Rigging boat with multiple 12″ graphs

This topic has 4 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 5 years, 1 month ago by bcpantera4.

Viewing 5 posts - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)

Author

Posts
August 25, 2020 at 11:21 am #692805

bcpantera4
Participant

Having a question regarding installation 3-12″ graphs and battery drain. Having a 2013 Cougar FTD, running an 36 volt Ultrex, the wife has blessed me with go-ahead of installing new electronics on the boat. She said get it set up how you want it, and be done with it. So, I now have a Garmin 12″ on the console, and at the bow, running livescope. Also on the bow I’ll be installing a Helix 12 with 360. Most of the time when I fish, I stay in a local area and not run the motor for a quick recharge. Been thinking about using on of my TM batteries for the Helix and 360? Right now I do this with my dual Power Poles, as I have both coming off one battery. So far over the years no issues. What issues would I run into doing this with the Helix and 360, by using say the second TM battery? I’m concerned with too much draw on my cranking battery that is a Duracell AGM from Sam’s Club. I do not have room to add a fifth battery. What is the factory set up in these cases?

Thanks in advance, Eric

August 28, 2020 at 8:57 am #692869

catdude28
Participant

Running electronics off a trolling motor battery can present two problems. Firstly, uneven draw will run down one battery prematurely. Secondly, the likelihood of graph interference is increased. Although you are already running your poles off your deep cycle batteries, it always recommended to run all accessories off the crank battery as this is the factory set up.

If you have a Pro XS, that Duracell is not a sufficient battery. With only 800 ccas, that is what a Merc needs minimum just for cranking. There is no allowance for accessories, so ccas should be up at least 975. Don Weed, the Mercury specialist on BBC classifies that battery as unsuitable in a bass application. A 31 Northstar/Batteries Plus X2 or a 31 Odyssey would be a much better choice with far superior specs. Both of these batteries require a high quality AGM charger. Another alternative would be to add a small deep cycle house battery just to run your poles and electronics.

August 29, 2020 at 8:22 am #692902

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

Likely just a larger wire harness dedicated to graphs and electronics only, and if the install still presents battery issues, upgrade the 31 AGM battery. If that still presents issues we would Opt for the new Power Pole battery charger that charges when the engine is in operation.

September 2, 2020 at 11:37 am #693007

Jones TrollingMotor
Participant

Biggest drawback on using a trolling motor battery for the DF is the introduction of noise or interference. If you wanted to do that, I would lay the wiring out on the top of the boat first, go fishing and see if you get interference. If not, go ahead and connect. Also, you’ll want to adjust the wire size going to the depth finder and 360.

John

April 27, 2021 at 6:50 am #698039

bcpantera4
Participant

I know this is late, but wanted to give an update. last fall, I installed the three units, with LS & 360. After getting my units set up, I replaced the cranking battery and TM with Lithium. Now I have all the screens, poles and LS running off of the cranking battery. After long days on the water, have had no issues what so ever. Glad I mad the switch.
Author

Posts

Viewing 5 posts - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Login Register