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Montauk 170 Battery Config
Salty Paw	#1  Posted on 12/28/20 - 5:16 PM
Member Posts: 2 Comments: 0 Joined: 12/27/20	Hi All - long-time reader, first-time poster. I have a 2004 Montauk 170 that has 2 x 12v batteries (both cranking) on a Perko switch (all installed by prior owner). I want to add a bow-mounted trolling motor for navigating through lobster nets without the outboard running, and for holding position above rock piles offshore - leaning toward the 80# Minn Kota, which would require a 24V battery or 2 x 12Vs. The 2004 Montauk 170 runs a wire to the bow nav light under the rub rail, so my options for power supply to the trolling motor appear to be 1) Battery(ies) in the anchor locker or cooler - not super jazzed about the idea since I currently use both 2) Battery(ies) in the console with a cord running across the deck - think this is probably fine as long as I can disconnect and stow the cord when not in use If I'm going with Option #2 what is the best config? Can I share the backup battery with trolling motor? If powering the trolling motor with 2 x 12vs that would be 4 batteries if no sharing (doesn't seem possible), or 3 batteries if one can be shared as backup. Seems a single 24v Li-ion is an option (but costly) to power the trolling motor, but not sure that I could also use for backup, so that would still leave me with 2 x 12vs + 1 x 24v = 3 batteries in consol. Curious if anyone else has done an 80# trolling motor and still managed to keep a backup without using the anchor locker, and if so how configured?
Phil T	#2  Posted on 12/28/20 - 6:33 PM
Administrator Personal Page Personal Album Project Albums Posts: 6994 Comments: 6 Joined: 03/26/05	You only need a single starting battery for the boat. The 2nd house battery is really not needed. If you are that concerned, get a jump pack. You can add a 3rd battery (1 starting, 2 trolling) in the console. See this thread: https://www.whalercentral.com/forum/v...ost_161069 I have seen a Montauk console with 4 batteries but it was for a trolling motor and a pot puller setup. 1992 Outrage 17 I 2019 E-TEC 90, Viper 17 2+ 2018 Load Rite Elite 18280096VT
Salty Paw	#3  Posted on 12/28/20 - 7:28 PM
Member Posts: 2 Comments: 0 Joined: 12/27/20	Thanks, that sounds good. Although I forgot about the ancillary loads (Fish finder/GPS, lights, bilge, live well) ... would you run off starter battery or trolling motor batteries in that setup?
Phil T	#4  Posted on 12/29/20 - 12:20 PM
Administrator Personal Page Personal Album Project Albums Posts: 6994 Comments: 6 Joined: 03/26/05	The starting battery is fine for the ancillary loads except the livewell. Would keep the second battery for that. Add 2 more for the trolling. This presumes you cut the floor and have all the batteries resting on the deck. Consider building a 2nd shelf above the batteries to maintain storage. 1992 Outrage 17 I 2019 E-TEC 90, Viper 17 2+ 2018 Load Rite Elite 18280096VT