Trojan Battey - alternator or solar charging

[Aeon]

After reading some Ausfish posts I've now purchased a 130 amp hour Trojan for my 55lb Minn Kota. I chose this over an AGM. I'll also be getting a minn kota charger on the weekend from Bias.

For those 3 or 4 day fishing trips where the battery won't last the entire trip, can I hook this battery up to the alternator to keep the battery topped up - or are deep cycle batteries not suited to this? Alternatively, should I hook up a solar panel charger to the battery and can this be left connected while the motor is in use? Or both?

Thanks for your help in advance.

Mick.

[driveon]

Hi Aeon, there is no reason why you can’t connect to the alternator while the motor is running and to the solar panel regulator when the motor is off.

The info that came with your specific solar regulator should give you exact details of whether you can or can’t have the solar regulator connected to the battery at the same time as the alternator is supplying power. Most can but just double check.

As far as the battery itself goes, it will love being charged by either without any problems.

[oldboot]

I dont see that you should have any problem charging off your alternator.... but

Are you going to have enough run time to make serious in roads to your capacity deficit.... if you are looking at 1 to 2 hours of run time each day..... hmmm

I'm no expert on outboards so I cant tell you how much current the alternator will deliver..... I supose it would be better than nothing.

now to solar....... nice try..... but you would need a whole solar panel canopy to get significant charge in the time....... again better than nothing but probaly not worth the expense.

if you are going to charge off the boats charging system..... you would be best to consider how "nicely" you want to do it.

battery isolator switch, solid state isolator or some sort of funky charging system.

the best option would be to get a nice quiet genny and have it humm away all night......because thats how long its going to take....... well several hours at least.

cheers

[Alchemy]

Hi Mick,

I have this battery on Alchemy, and it is used to run a freezer. My main charge source is a 123watt solar panel, through a PL20 regulator. In the middle of a sunny day, it charges at around 8amps per hour, and easily keeps fully charges the battery each day.

For the times I get rain, or overcast weather, I have made up a lead with Anderson plugs and use this to connect parallel to my starting battery and charge when cruising.

Regards,
Dave.

[bundylundy]

Aeon,
I have have the same battery as you to run my Minnkota. Have set it up as a dual battery (Off/No.1/Both/No.2 Battery Switch)in my boat and use alternator to recharge when running back to the ramp after a fishing session. I use a C-Tek battery charger to recharge overnight if 240v available. No problems and I can use the Trojan to start the motor in an emergency if No.1 battery stuffs up.

Jeff.

[FrankFWM]

Hi Aeon,

May I suggest a good resource is a book by Collyn Rivers about this subject - he has an FAQ which explains what you are asking also...

http://www.caravanandmotorhomebooks....ravans_too.htm

Frank

[Aeon]

Thanks for the info guys. Much appreciated.
Mick.

[nedoleboy]

gday aeon. i have the same battery .all good info above.will just add keep cells topped up regularly with distilled water especially in summer .if charging regularly evapouration is significant.ned


ps . alchemy...8A/hr solar panel.........skeptical

[Alchemy]

gday aeon. i have the same battery .all good info above.will just add keep cells topped up regularly with distilled water especially in summer .if charging regularly evapouration is significant.ned


ps . alchemy...8A/hr solar panel.........skeptical

Hi Ned,

Be a sceptic if you wish. The PL20 has an LED display that shows the actual charge rate, plus the daily charge and usage. It also records the usage and charge history for 30 days, so I can scroll through if I need. My solar panel is reasonably large at 1500mm long by about 600mm wide. Not your every day dodgy super cheap job.

Regards,
Dave.