Minn Kota Dual Bank Onboard Charging

[jl008018]

New onboard charging system installed. The instructions says the trolling motor should be disconnected from the battery before turning the charger on.

The Minn Kota Edge 45 has the Off-Mon-On switch on the foot control pedal.

Thoughts on the need to disconnect the trolling motor before charging if that switch is set to Off? I was going to put a shutoff switch between the trolling motor and battery but would prefer not to if there is no need.

Thanks!!

 

[TNtroller]

How do you have the TM wired to the power supply? with a male/female plug or QD connectors or hard wired?

 

[jl008018]

Originally the TM was wired directly to the battery that sits in the minn kota battery box with the built in fuse. I then wired it to the minn kota disconnect lug to disconnect it frim the battery when the battery needed to be charged. A bit of of a pain with that plug but it works. However thought it might be eaiser with a switch then the foot pedal switch got me thinking.

 

[jl008018]

I just ordered one these switches and will use it as a shutoff for the trolling motor. For $20 it seems to be the best choice to kill the power to the trolling motor when the charger is plugged in.

I already have one of these between my cranking/accessory battery and 8 gang switch so what's one more switch

 

[TNtroller]

That should work, never used one of those switches, I've always had a male/female plug in the wiring and leave it unplugged when not on the water to avoid accidental startups and while charging.

 

[gillhunter]

That's the same thing I do. I run 2 batteries, use one at a time. I installed a switch just before the circuit breaker. I have a 3 bank charger, for the deep cycle batteries and the starter battery.