onboard charger 1 bank-2bank?

[parkerdog]

I have one battery right now running my old transom trolling motor. So I know 1 bank charger for that.

I'm going to be putting a larger bow mount trolling motor next month and at that time I'll add a second battery in parallel for more run time.

Will I need a one bank or 2 bank charger? I'm not sure if 2 batteries in parallel are considered one or two banks?

Even further down the road when I add a gas engine I'll add a starting battery. Does that mean a 3 bank charger? (2trolling 1 start)

If I need a two or three bank charger in the future will it hurt anything to buy it now and only use one bank for the one battery?


Sam

 

[russ010]

I would just use 2 batteries - 1 for your front trolling motor, and then one for your rear trolling motor, also to be used to crank your gas motor if it's electric start.

Go ahead and get a 2 bank charger - you can put both banks on one battery and be ok until you get a second battery to add to it. (I've got 3 2-Bank chargers, and one of the chargers has been on my axillary battery for 2 years now with no problems.

 

[parkerdog]

I need to clarify, when I get the bow mount trolling motor I won't be using the old transom mount but I want two batteries in parallel because the front will be the only motor 90-95 % of the time.

So I should ask will a two bank charger charge 2 batteries in parallel for one bank and down the road charge 1 battery on the other?

Or is it 1 bank equals 1 battery. and I need a three bank?

 

[Zum]

Pretty sure you can keep them hooked together.
Going to take twice as long to charge them up that way though.

 

[redbug]

using the single bank charger on 2 batteries in parallel will shorten the life of both batteries.
I would get the 2 bank charger if it were me

 

[russ010]

I need to clarify, when I get the bow mount trolling motor I won't be using the old transom mount but I want two batteries in parallel because the front will be the only motor 90-95 % of the time.

So I should ask will a two bank charger charge 2 batteries in parallel for one bank and down the road charge 1 battery on the other?

Or is it 1 bank equals 1 battery. and I need a three bank?

You're thinking on the right track. You can leave them hooked up in parallel with a 2 bank charger and be fine. And then get a single bank charger for the gas motor.

One thing about the batteries in parallel... It's better to have the same battery hooked in parallel - size, manufacturer and date of manufacture. When batteries are in parallel, they tend to "feed" off each other. Your stronger battery will not last as long as the older because it will be working even when the motor is off because it will be trying to charge the other battery so that there is equalization between the 2... just something to think about

 

[parkerdog]

You're thinking on the right track. You can leave them hooked up in parallel with a 2 bank charger and be fine. And then get a single bank charger for the gas motor.

One thing about the batteries in parallel... It's better to have the same battery hooked in parallel - size, manufacturer and date of manufacture. When batteries are in parallel, they tend to "feed" off each other. Your stronger battery will not last as long as the older because it will be working even when the motor is off because it will be trying to charge the other battery so that there is equalization between the 2... just something to think about

That makes sense. Maybe I should just be happy with one big battery for the front trolling motor and use the interstate battery I bought the other day for the accessories like live well,bilge,lights etc.. Then when I stick a gas engine on it I can either add a battery then if I have to or use the interstate battery if it turns out to be electric start.