Dedicated battery for electronics

Bassinkorea · November 24, 2013, 04:13:28 AM

Currently I am running my HDS12 and HDS8 from my starter battery. I am thinking about adding a 5th battery to my boat dedicated only for these units.

My questions to the experts are;

1. Would it be worth adding another 50lb battery into my boat to save the battery drain from my starter battery?
2. How much battery power do these 2 units drain over a given timeframe?

Sc Bassin · November 24, 2013, 10:55:47 AM

I am running a Ranger Z-21 & have 4 batteries in the back now & I would not add another due to the weight issue. I have Gen 2's & have no problem with the draw on the cranking battery. If you crank up & move any distance during the day it should put back what they have drawn plus some.

BassBUFF · November 24, 2013, 11:51:42 AM

I agree with SC, just not worth it IMO. I've taken Fogy's advice and have been running a dual purpose battery in the starting circuit. I haven't had an issue since.

s10me · November 24, 2013, 01:50:20 PM

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/brl-b3121/overview/
I use one of these for my electronics on my striper boat, and my cranking battery's for cranking only

fishin couillon · November 24, 2013, 08:08:53 PM

I was having a problem with my cranking battery going dead from electronics so I ended up adding a 4th battery to the boat and happy with that move.....it works for me....

Bassinkorea · November 25, 2013, 04:53:23 AM

I am running a 36 volt trolling motor, so with those 3 batteries plus the starter battery, my battery compartment is loaded.
I have thought about running my units on one of the trolling batteries, but worry about the interference from the trolling motor.

The other option is to runner another battery in one of my compartments just for the HDS units and my SonicHub.

JMGullo · November 25, 2013, 04:59:28 AM

Quote from: Bassinkorea on November 25, 2013, 04:53:23 AM
I am running a 36 volt trolling motor, so with those 3 batteries plus the starter battery, my battery compartment is loaded.
I have thought about running my units on one of the trolling batteries, but worry about the interference from the trolling motor.

The other option is to runner another battery in one of my compartments just for the HDS units and my SonicHub.

IMO your better option is to spend the 300 bucks and get a DieHard PM1 for a cranking battery. Ive ran an 1198 and 898 with live wells and everything else for a few days without charging. That is a beast of a battery with a 3 or 5 years warrenty cant remember. Not sure if they have them where your at though.

Bassinkorea · November 25, 2013, 05:14:58 AM

Quote from: JMGullo on November 25, 2013, 04:59:28 AM
IMO your better option is to spend the 300 bucks and get a DieHard PM1 for a cranking battery. Ive ran an 1198 and 898 with live wells and everything else for a few days without charging. That is a beast of a battery with a 3 or 5 years warrenty cant remember. Not sure if they have them where your at though.

Yeah, I'm willing to bet I can't get them over here

I am also limited on battery length and height in the compartment.

s10me · November 25, 2013, 06:34:57 AM

could you take your 1 cranking battery out and put 2 Braille batteries in

Bassinkorea · November 25, 2013, 06:39:27 AM

Quote from: s10me on November 25, 2013, 06:34:57 AM
could you take your 1 cranking battery out and put 2 Braille batteries in

I don't even know what Braille batteries are. I guess it's time to Google

fishinfranklin · November 25, 2013, 06:57:12 AM

If it was me I would just make sure I keep a good battery charged properly for cranking and electronics. The hds8 only draws 0.7a @ 13v with the backlight on and only 0.4 with the backlight off.and the 12 only draws 2.0 amps @13v.

Todd Driscoll · November 25, 2013, 09:42:24 AM

I agree that an additional battery is not needed, as long as you start with a quality cranking battery. I always use at least a 27 series battery, and have never had any issues, and I'm running a bunch of electronics/accessories. At times, the cheaper, smaller 24 series cranking batteries are not big enough. Also keep in mind that you can reduce battery draw but adjusting the unit backlight down a step or two, and by putting the console unit in Standby mode when up at the bow fishing.

Bassthumb · November 25, 2013, 12:43:13 PM

I run 5 batteries in my triton (Tr-196 w/ 200 Opti). The Opti pulls so much juice, that i was getting low voltage alarms with a brand new cranking battery (Cabela's AGM 1195 MCA).

If I ran all three graphs, lights, and aerator, then fish for 3 hours without a big motor start, all my graphs shut off when I turn over the Opti. I installed the second Cabela's AGM 1195, and I can now run everything in the boat, charge a cell phone, and fish for 8 hours (for days) with ever charging my cranking batt.

I have noticed the Opti XS motors are not as hard on juice as the regular Optimax.

one Pro is I can run everything without fear of a failure.
Another Pro is the extra weight has cut the chine down considerably
a Con is I dropped 3 MPH off the top end
another Con is they dont make an affordable 5-bank charger (so I run a three- and a 2-bank charger)
and the last Con is there is no room to put on a set of Powerpole pumps, if I ever go there. I would have to return to a 24 volt troller and move a lot of "stuff" around back there to get the pumps in and achieve any balance in the boat.

OBTW, the local Merc rep says the 200 Optimax checks out correctly, and is just a power consuming hawg. Also, the 200 Opti requires at least 1050 MCA to start. most marine batteries sold at any big box store or marina do not come close to 1050 MCA. The battery installed in it when I bought it was only 1000 MCA and died in the second month. Cabelas AGMs are the largest MCA batteries I could find (and afford). They are considered dual purpose. The have 195 minute reserves, which is also one of the largest reserves on the market.

They are not cheap, either.

Creel Limit Zero · November 25, 2013, 01:46:45 PM

I think it really comes down to how do you fish. Are you the guy that gets to one spot in the morning and fishes 8 straight hours there without turning on the big motor, then go back to weigh in? If so, then you could have a problem. I would be more concerned with the amp draw from the live well pumps. If you have one of those boats with four pumps, one pump for recirc and the other pump for adding water in for each live well, making 4 pumps, that's a lot of pumps. If you are a guy like me that once the live well is full, the recirculation runs all day long, you are looking at an amp draw of 3 Amps, times two is 6 Amps. Add in another 3 amps per hour with the electronics, and now you are looking at close to 9 amps. Add in any other accessories you might run, and you could even be higher. But start at 9 Amps for 8 hours, you are looking at drawing a lot out of your reserve capacity right before you turn the big motor over to go back to weigh in. That's a lot of drain on a starting battery, and why many go the dual purpose.

I would think about how you fish before adding another battery though. If you are run and gun guy, no need to add the extra weight. If you are a fish in one spot all day long while playing with your electronics heavily, might want to consider the extra battery. At the very minimum, make sure you have some jumper cables to start your big motor up from your TM batteries at the end of the day...

Bassthumb · November 25, 2013, 02:30:37 PM

Very well said.

I would also add, only you knows your equipment and motor... if you have been in trouble before...history tends to repeat itself...history tends to repeat itself...

Bassinkorea · November 26, 2013, 05:42:11 AM

Quote from: Bassthumb on November 25, 2013, 12:43:13 PM
I run 5 batteries in my triton (Tr-196 w/ 200 Opti). The Opti pulls so much juice, that i was getting low voltage alarms with a brand new cranking battery (Cabela's AGM 1195 MCA).

Bassthumb, I have a 150hp Optimax and have the same trouble, hence my idea of adding the 5th battery.

Quote from: Creel Limit Zero on November 25, 2013, 01:46:45 PM
I think it really comes down to how do you fish.

Creel, My fishing styles change as much as the Korean weather

Sometimes I do a lot of running, but if the bass are biting I can stay on a spot for an extended time.
Oh, and I've had a set of jump leads in the boat since I first bought it 2 years ago, and they have been used (and saved my

) a few times

Bassinkorea · November 26, 2013, 05:43:48 AM

Thanks to everyone for your input, definitely gave me something to think about over the winter.

Bassthumb · November 26, 2013, 07:52:43 AM

My boat used to run about 69 now it runs at 66 with less chine. So, Not sure how much WOT running you do, but here in mid-USA, in any tournament I have been in, I have never been passed by a boat with any sized motor that launched from three positions behind me, (assuming we are going to the exact same spot), and I can usually outrun any boat with a 175 and 150 on them. Net sum gain is I pass some and get passed some. The plus in the whole thing about running five batteries is I have no fear of failure, and can fish any style I need to, without having to retool the boat.

A huge plus for the power-sucking 200 Opti is that it sips oil and fuel. Even with 250# of batteries, I can outrun any boat in my club on mileage, period.

My next boat will not have an Opti on it...an OptiXS, sure, but not the same motor I have now.