Battery room

tld5780 · February 04, 2012, 11:12:11 AM

Hi everyone...New to this sight and this place is great! So I've been reading a lot about upgrading the TM on Trackers...I have an 2008 175TXW,came with the MG 46# TM,it's alright on a calm day but once that wind picks up,forget about it! Saw a lot of you guys switching over to a 24V system but where do you put your second battery? Seems like there is only enough room for one deep cycle and one starting battery in the back...where did you find the extra room for a 3rd battery? Thanks!!!

IAbass · February 04, 2012, 01:08:39 PM

It's possible believe it or not. I have 2 interstate 27's and a 24 in my 2011 175 txw. It's a tight fit but there's just enough room for all 3. My batteries are pulled for the winter otherwise I show you a pic of how to do it.

RushFan · February 04, 2012, 02:03:59 PM

I have the same boat. I used the storage boat nearest the other batteries. Ran the additional wires thru the existing drain hole below the box, didnot cut a hole in the plastic box. Up and over. However this year I am getting a dual batterery tray that can hold 2 size 27 batteries. Someone here had a picture with a dual tray. I beliveve that they had to move the starting battery tray forward to make it happen. I tried seperate trays last year and could not make it happen.
@ IAbass, if you have a picture of just the bilge area with the trays that would be very helpful. We could see what type of trays and the lay out.

Wayne P. · February 04, 2012, 02:22:03 PM

Room for batteries

LOL
I have the PT 170 TX and have a 36V bow trolling motor so I have three group 27 trolling motor batteries and another group 27 battery for the starting and accessories.
The first thing I did when I bought the boat was remove the built-in gas tank.
I use a portable tank instead so I have battery room.
I take the gas tank out and put in another group 27 battery to run a transom 24V trolling motor when fishing electric-only waters.
I also have a three bank on-board charger for the 36V system.

swimjig · February 04, 2012, 02:34:53 PM

I have the same boat 2008 175txw and went with the 24v MG tour 75lb. The batteries fit fine ( 2 27 group and 1 24 group cranking battery) there is plenty of room for all 3 batteries with the trays , adding water is a little tricky, but it works!!!! No more problems in the wind anymore.

tld5780 · February 04, 2012, 03:25:15 PM

Thanks for the reponses guys...I guess it can be done...just a matter of doing it lol

Top-Water · February 04, 2012, 10:33:59 PM

I have a 2005 pt 175 and I live in Jersey where there aren't alot of places to run a gas powered motor. Due to all the electric only lakes I've seen it all...Trackers with their gas tank taken out and 9 batteries put in to run a 36v system up front and two 36v systems off the transom. What I did was I used the first compartment up front in my boat and mounted two batteries and an onboard charger and I rearranged the two batteries in the transom to where there are three back there now. They are tight but they fit and I kept my gas tank. I have my boat apart now to do some restoration and modifications so I will take some pictures tomorrow to show so how it looks.

tld5780 · February 06, 2012, 03:33:24 PM

That would be great Top Water,thanks

Top-Water · February 06, 2012, 04:16:08 PM

My boat doesn't have the rod locker in the middle, its to the left looking to the front from back.
Thats why I used this space for my front trolling motor. I think a 2008 has the center rod locker, right? Any way... in the back I took out the batteries and then their trays... I then turned all 3 trays (I added 1) in the same direction and screwed them down . I bought some little rubber pads from Home Depot with a sticky bottom so the batteries weren't sitting on the screws. I also bought a longer strap which I ran under the trays so I could strap them all down so not to bounce. I'll add
pics. now , I hope they help...

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Top-Water · February 06, 2012, 04:17:50 PM

Hears the front...

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RushFan · February 06, 2012, 04:32:36 PM

thanks Top-Water.

Top-Water · February 06, 2012, 06:31:24 PM

Quote from: RushFan on February 06, 2012, 04:32:36 PM
thanks Top-Water.

No problem I've done diferent things with a couple different boats and have done the reasearch behind each of them so if you have any questions just shoot me a P.M.
If I can help out I will.

tld5780 · February 06, 2012, 09:29:27 PM

Thanks for the pics! 3 batteries really do fit lol Yeah,the rod locker is in the center on mine...I probably won't doing anything until spring,but,with the way this winter is,maybe next month!

nirvananight · February 08, 2012, 10:28:03 AM

I was going to just post a topic asking the same question of fitting 3 batteries in the back. Looks like someone beat me to it =). Question for you Topwater: Did you remove the battery tray by any chance? It looks like a tight fit. My 2011 model has a pump right near the livewell where your 27 is at the end. Does ur model have a pump there as well? It seems like that is what would be preventing me from having your setup. Thanks in advance!

Top-Water · February 09, 2012, 08:09:03 AM

Quote from: nirvananight on February 08, 2012, 10:28:03 AM
I was going to just post a topic asking the same question of fitting 3 batteries in the back. Looks like someone beat me to it =). Question for you Topwater: Did you remove the battery tray by any chance? It looks like a tight fit. My 2011 model has a pump right near the livewell where your 27 is at the end. Does ur model have a pump there as well? It seems like that is what would be preventing me from having your setup. Thanks in advance!

Yes I had to move both the existing trays to make this work. I also added a third tray to secure the new to the equation battery. I have the same pump to my livewell there, I'd say there is about 1/2 to 1 inch of room that's why you need to remember to run a strap that buckles under the trays before you screw them down so they are held in place. If I remember corectly I had to shave the two trays going towards the livewell and basicaly make them one ...that way the battery slid under and there wasn't the lip of the trays in the way. I will post pics with the batteries out so that you can see what I mean.

nirvananight · February 09, 2012, 09:10:59 AM

Yea...Now it makes sense because I was looking at my trays and was scratching my head how you got them to fit so nicely. That is a smart idea you came up with! Yes, please post pictures because I am going to be doing this install soon myself =). You didn't have to remove the deck did you?

I will be upgrading my 12v MG after my warranty runs out but I need that extra juice so I assume I won't benefit hooking it up to a 24v system yet correct? So for now I should run a 2 battery series...+ to + and - to - ? Sorry for the amateur questions, just trying to reach your guys' level of experience one day.... Thanks!

Wayne P. · February 09, 2012, 04:32:07 PM

The only thing you will gain with the parallel battery setup for 12V is a longer run time and more weight. BUT you will have the setup ready when you move up to the 24V motor, then all you would need is one less battery jumper.

cubsfan02449 · February 11, 2012, 06:58:14 PM

here's a link to a picture of the 3 tray setup on my 10 txw. battery's fit when all 3 installed.
http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q530/cubsfan02449/feb078.jpg

Top-Water · February 11, 2012, 11:00:57 PM

Quote from: cubsfan02449 on February 11, 2012, 06:58:14 PM
here's a link to a picture of the 3 tray setup on my 10 txw. battery's fit when all 3 installed.
http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q530/cubsfan02449/feb078.jpg

Your's looks cleaner than mine... I went the other way with the two deep cycle batteries.

tld5780 · February 25, 2012, 02:40:06 PM

Looks good!! What on-board chargers did your guys swtich to after adding that extra battery?

nirvananight · February 27, 2012, 10:20:30 AM

These posts were super helpful in getting the batteries to fit. What really helped was buying a double tray at BPS. It saves a lot of room. I shaved off my screw holes on the sides but I think it would of fit regardless.

Good question on the chargers, because I am curious myself. My boat came with a 2 bank charger that was hooked to my cranking and deep cycle. Rather than buying a new one, I just hooked up both banks to each of my 12v deep cycles and left it off of my cranking. I have taken it out twice and so far no problems. I did notice the volts dropped to 12.9 to 13.1 upon starting (keeping it charged before it would be around 14.1) but as I took it out for 20 min full throttle it charged up to 13.8. As far as I go, I think I will stick with the 2 bank until I notice problems keeping my cranking charged, since a 3 bank is a little pricey. I assume if you use it couple times a month and use your motor for over 20 min each time, you should be ok. But I am curious to see what the experts say =)...

Wayne P. · February 27, 2012, 02:42:35 PM

Don't depend on your motor to keep the starting battery fully charged. Maintain it just like you do the trolling motor battery/s.

Top-Water · February 27, 2012, 03:33:58 PM

Yea I would keep the cranking battery on a charge regardless.
Put the other deep cycle on a portable charger if you can't get a
3 bank charger right now.

tld5780 · February 27, 2012, 03:57:43 PM

Hate to be such a novice,but how do you guys charge all your batteries when your on the water? I have a battery isolator hooked up right now so it charges both cranking and trolling batteries when the engine is running...
When I finally upgrade,I was gonna upgrade to a 3 bank charger and isolator...