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Need help with wiring on my Jon-Boat

Discussion in 'Boating & Fishing' started by BassMaster06, Apr 5, 2015.

  1. Apr 5, 2015 at 5:57 AM
    #1
    BassMaster06

    BassMaster06 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hey guys. Looking for advice on wiring up the following items for a clean, complete system on my alluminum jon-boat. I'm ok with basic wiring, but things get fuzzy when I start thinking about wiring up multiple LED rocker switches, two batteries, electrolysis issues, etc.

    I have the following items that I need to power:

    Switched:
    Bow and stern lights (same switch)
    Leds for the floor lights
    Led flood/spot lights mounted bow and stern (separate switches)

    Non-switched:
    Fish finder
    Trolling motor
    12v outlet

    Gonna bite the bullet and buy 2 deep cycle batteries. Would it be best to wire the two batteries together and run everything off both at the same time instead?

    I just want to make this as clean as possible. So, I would run directly from the batteries to a fuse block, then to individual switches for each accessory? (I'll be fabbing up my own switch panel). Wont be wiring the depth finder or the trolling motor to switches. Would this work and/or would I need anything else in place for this system? Breaker? Ground bar?

    I'd prefer to store both batteries in the back of the boat. Is there a good way to power the trolling motor at the front of the boat off of batteries at the back of the boat? Cut off terminal connectors and splice in a longer power cable to reach the battery?

    Thanks for any advice

    IMG_20141018_193932_zpshjsbdxpq_4c070007feb468b7c0409eb236b3b259bdf6be4a.jpg
     
  2. Apr 5, 2015 at 10:16 AM
    #2
    Asta

    Asta Hold My Beer and Watch This

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    On my boat we have a 15hp on the back with a battery to start it and then a battery in the front to power the lightbar and the trolling motor. you could have both batteries in the back just have to have longer wires and run them down the sides. As for switches, there is a switch panel in the back. Was not all too hard to wire.
     
  3. Apr 5, 2015 at 10:42 AM
    #3
    BassMaster06

    BassMaster06 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the reply. My engine is a 1987 9.9hp Evinrude. It's a pull start, so no battery needed for starting, and also no way (to my knowledge) to use the engine to charge the battery. I wanted to run two batteries because I know prolonged used of a trolling motor and fish finder will drain one battery fairly quickly, adding lights and things will only make it worse!
     
  4. Apr 6, 2015 at 10:07 AM
    #4
    rl206

    rl206 Well-Known Member

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    Get LED lights they hardly drain any power, your graph won't use that much either. I ran a graph and my motor ALL day on trips and was fine!
     
  5. Apr 6, 2015 at 1:19 PM
    #5
    BassMaster06

    BassMaster06 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    True I was planning on going with LEDs. I read somewhere it's not a good idea to run trolling motor and depth finder on the same battery. I think at this point I plan on having a battery designated for the trolling motor, and a second battery for everything else
     
    keakar likes this.
  6. Apr 16, 2015 at 8:37 PM
    #6
    rl206

    rl206 Well-Known Member

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    I've never heard that, but haven't gave it much look either.

    You can always snag a small battery for them, they hardly draw any power.

    I'll be starting another project boat again here soon, best of luck!
     
  7. Apr 17, 2015 at 4:28 AM
    #7
    BassMaster06

    BassMaster06 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks! Yeah I used to power a trolling motor and fish finder on the same battery all the time with no issue.
     
  8. Apr 18, 2015 at 10:27 AM
    #8
    Asta

    Asta Hold My Beer and Watch This

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    I've used the trolling motor all day and put the battery on the charger to check it and it did not use much at all you should be fine using the trolling motor and your fish finder
     
  9. Jun 2, 2015 at 7:51 PM
    #9
    BassMaster06

    BassMaster06 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Gonna breathe some life back into this thread. I have most of the items I plan on installing. I ended up buying a smaller 12v 12Ah battery for my accessories, and will leave my large deep cycle battery for the trolling motor.

    Battery->Fuse Block->Switch Panel->Accessories

    Couple questions:
    - I've noticed a lot of people install a circuit breaker, on both boats and vehicles. Do I need one? If so, what size?

    - Grounding the fuse block is easy on a vehicle, and most of the installs I've seen utilize the screw that grounds the battery to the frame. On a boat, I'm not sure. Can I just connect the ground wire for the fuse block to the negative battery terminal?
     
  10. Jun 4, 2015 at 1:04 PM
    #10
    BassMaster06

    BassMaster06 [OP] Well-Known Member

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  11. Jun 16, 2015 at 2:17 PM
    #11
    eastcoastcowboy

    eastcoastcowboy just sittin' in the corner, havin' a beer

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    Don't ground directly to the aluminum hull, the electrolysis will eat the boat.

    As far as the breakers go, you can get an in line fuse that will protect your battery if for some reason there is a short circuit in a component. They are cheap and simply wire in line on the positive side.
     

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