Joining Batteries

[kvol2000]

Some questions on batteries and trolling. 12 volt trolling motor.
How do you join 2 batteries for longer trolling? Do the batteries need to be exactly the same? Do you get twice the trolling time? Thanks for any info.

[Shellback]

The batteries should be both in good condition, and as close to each other in amp hours as possible. In a perfect senerio with 2 brand new batteries of the same type and amp hours, you would get twice the running time, as you would add the amp hours together to get total time. To join them together for 12 volts use, you would connect positive to positive, and negative to negative.

[tarfu]

howdy; one thing that alot of people over look is that for some strange reason ya lose 25% of the batteries run (reserve amps.)time and don't forget that a 52lb. thrust motor at full power WILL use 52 amps. in one hour. therefore if you have 200 res. cap. battery you will get 200 minus 50 = 150 minutes, or 2and1/2 hours at full power. personnaly, i just switch batteries, should i need to. of coruse we all go crashing about the lake/pond/stream/river at full power at all times , don't we. have fun.