Running a 36v trolling motor with only 3 batteries?

[scubaman154]

There are a lot of guys running on 3 batteries without issues, that said, u need to take in consideration for your starting battery requirements for the equipment connected to it. Such as your bilge pumps, aeriators, electronics, esp if they are big screen units, and your engine! So get the biggest battery you can for that, such as sears diehard pm-1, I believe it has 1100 mca.

[5 keepers]

I used to do this with my previous boats and NEVER had an issue with them ie., interference, corrosion, dead batteries etc. Not one problem. That being said I had the BEST batteries I could afford and the biggest batteries I could afford in them at the time. My suggestion is if you try it and it doesnt work, be prepared to go back to 4 batteries. Good luck and let us know how it works out.

[JSLAW]

I would find it to be more common with the older generation of boats/motors and electronics. To me there is just simply way too much power demand on todays boats and that begins with the engine, Now add in Powerpoles, 2-4 graphs the size of computers, bilge pumps and livewells and that is asking an awful lot of that third (cranking) battery at the end of the day. Will it work sure, for how long, I wouldnt want to find out. If running this setup id be sure to have jumper cables in the boat or install a jump start system of some sort.

[Smacky]

All the above are correct! I have this set up on my 07 Puma. I bought the boat used with this set up and within a week I had to replace my cranking battery. There is a huge demand of power especially with the power pole and electronics. So, I have to pay special attention to the batteries and plug the boat in when I can. Thus far, I have had no issues with the batteries since the change of my cranking battery. I run two Interstate 875s (if I remember right, not sure because they werent the problem) and a Caterpillar Racing 1000 cca industrial deep cycle that meters out at 1030cca. The CAT battery is awesome. It lists for $147.00 on their website and I would recommend it. The end of Nov., I fished all day in 25 mph wind on big water, which put me on the trolling motor most of the day at a high setting with no problems. Honestly, Id prefer a correct set up either with 4 batteries or a 24v trolling motor. I may never have a problem but its something Ive learned to fish with… Smacky

[Smacky]

All the above are correct! I have this set up on my 07 Puma. I bought the boat used with this set up and within a week I had to replace my cranking battery. There is a huge demand of power especially with the power pole and electronics. So, I have to pay special attention to the batteries and plug the boat in when I can. Thus far, I have had no issues with the batteries since the change of my cranking battery. I run two Interstate 875s (if I remember right, not sure because they werent the problem) and a Caterpillar Racing 1000 cca industrial deep cycle that meters out at 1030cca. The CAT battery is awesome. It lists for $147.00 on their website and I would recommend it. The end of Nov., I fished all day in 25 mph wind on big water, which put me on the trolling motor most of the day at a high setting with no problems. Honestly, Id prefer a correct set up either with 4 batteries or a 24v trolling motor. I may never have a problem but its something Ive learned to fish with… Smacky

[spbait]

I ran this set-up on my first two boats. I fish heavy current in the summer and had problems with my cranking battery twice. I have since gone to the 4 battery set-up. The primary reason most folks choose this arrangement is to save a few pounds for that extra 1-2 MPH. Doing so puts you on the hairy margin without much room for error. When considering replacing the cranking battery with the heaviest possible to accommodate the 3 battery set-up, you dont save that much weight. Go to the 4 batteries and eliminate the anxiety.

[idahobasser]

i have ran this set up since my boat was new. the key to the whole system is they have to be group 31 batteries, even group 29 batteries in my opinion arent enough. I have always had 31 and have never had an issue i dont have power poles but i do have the larger graphs and have fished two day tournaments with out recharging. I have all the confidence in the world in my system, and would recomend it to anybody.The batteries i run are interstate AGM group 31 and are an absolutely good battery. the one thing i have noticed with AGM batteries is the ability to recharge very fast. This system i run is in an 06 classic hope this helps

[brennansgranpa]

The risk you run is having low voltage going to your electronics. If you run dual units plus live wells etc, at the same time you might have some funky screen images that will drive you nuts trying to trouble shoot. Like others I prefer to go with 4.

[Guest]

If you have a 20+ ft. boat I would have the 36v troller and 4 batteries. This is the setup I use for my main lake fishing at LOZ. If Im fishing docks on the main channel in season, my head is constantly turning from my line to the graph to the lake. Always looking for rouge waves when Im close to docks. I need the 36 v troller to get out of trouble. Ive seen bass boats pushed onto the walkways of docks by waves. People who dont pay attention or have enough power to get away from the dock are risk takers.

[bluecat]

Smacky, did you get your cat battery at a caterpillar dealer

[Author]

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