[jcreel8]

Okay folks, this is my first post so please be gentle. I'm new to the site. Been slinking around for several days reading a bunch of threads trying to find the answers I need, but I keep coming up short. :headbang: I've used the search bar and read so many threads that I'm more confused now than when I started. Here goes.

I am wanting to hook up 10 small 48 watt LED lights to my boat (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EVLB32W/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1). I currently have a trolling motor (Minnkota Maxxum 74 lb thrust) already installed and connected to 2 12v deep cycle batteries. I do not have a fan or a kicker. Here's where I get confused.

1. Can/Should I connect the lights to that same set of batteries as the trolling motor?

2. If I do that, can I then just run my genny (Champion 4375w/3500w dual fuel) with a converter to the 2 batteries in order to stay out all night?

3. Can I just plug the on board bank charger into the genny and effectively charge my trolling motor batteries?

4. Should I instead buy two new batteries and make a standalone power system for the lights?

Thanks in advance for reading and taking the time to help a non-electrician type out!

 

[Payphone Jones]

#2 is your solution, but why run DC lights if you are going to run a genny?

 

[jcreel8]

I'm afraid that between the lights and the trolling motor, I'll run out of battery short in the trip. I want the generator there as a way to be able to charge my batteries while on the water without having to cut the trip short. Here in Missouri, we've went out for 8+ hours before. I want that same capability in my boat.

 

[jcreel8]

Also, I went with DC lights because they are cheaper and I want to run quiet. If I don't have to listen to that generator running, then I won't. On the rivers and streams in MO, you have to stop bowfishing at midnight. For short runs, I'll go with batteries only. For all nighters, I'll fire up the generator.

 

[SoDakSlayer]

If you want to run silent option 4 is the winner

 

[GaryBriggs]

I ran a similar setup, with a few more of the 48w lights installed. I can assure you you'll be incredibly unhappy with battery life. Unless you only like fishing for a few hours at a time.

Edit: I won't let my batteries drain below 50%, it's bad for the batteries, so I could go 75 to 90 minutes depending on the trolling speed before I'd have to fire up the Genny and converters.

 

[jcreel8]

I ran a similar setup, with a few more of the 48w lights installed. I can assure you you'll be incredibly unhappy with battery life. Unless you only like fishing for a few hours at a time.

Edit: I won't let my batteries drain below 50%, it's bad for the batteries, so I could go 75 to 90 minutes depending on the trolling speed before I'd have to fire up the Genny and converters.

Gary Briggs replied to my comment! The man! Lol. Been watching your sweet videos for a while now. I just called and spoke to Graham at Powermax. He said that I should run a couple of PM3-12v-75 converters from my generator to my 2 trolling motor batteries and wire all the lights to them as well. I think that is what I'm going to do. Going to order them today through amazon so that I'll get them Thursday. If the weather holds, I hope to have everything together Thursday evening and go hit the water shortly thereafter. Thanks everyone for the advice and help!

 

[GaryBriggs]

Gary Briggs replied to my comment! The man! Lol. Been watching your sweet videos for a while now. I just called and spoke to Graham at Powermax. He said that I should run a couple of PM3-12v-75 converters from my generator to my 2 trolling motor batteries and wire all the lights to them as well. I think that is what I'm going to do. Going to order them today through amazon so that I'll get them Thursday. If the weather holds, I hope to have everything together Thursday evening and go hit the water shortly thereafter. Thanks everyone for the advice and help!

How big is your boat? I ask because you may not necessarily need 2 big converters. Calculate your amp draw and then you'll know exactly which converters are appropriate.

 

[jcreel8]

How big is your boat? I ask because you may not necessarily need 2 big converters. Calculate your amp draw and then you'll know exactly which converters are appropriate.

My boat is a 20 foot bass boat. I'm just retrofitting it until I can do a full on build this winter. As I understand it, there will be just under 75 amps drawn with the lights (18.5 amps combined) and the trolling motor (56 amp). That comes out to 74.5 total amp draw. By going with the 2 converters, I should still have some wiggle room to add/change lights or trolling motor later on. At least that's what the guy at Powermax told me. I just ordered two of the PM3-75 12v converters. Hopefully, I didn't just waste my money....

 

[Magnolia Outdoors Guy]

Those lights of yours work with 24V as well as 12V. Figure half the amperage draw at 24V so your wiring can be a smaller gauge. You could try running both the troller and the lights from four batteries using both a parallel and series configuration.

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