If you cant fish....work on the boat

[k9reno]

I have not had the time to get fishing yet...well except for that great striper trip. I am still bummed about not being able to make tbot this yr, but I have compensated by buying things for my boat and working on it.
I have had my boat in my driveway for just over a week now. I have spent the time pulling my electronics out and putting down a 3/8 plastic board in the console to remount my electronics on a firmer platform. I decided to go ahead and redo the wiring so it was neater and out of the way. Instead of the wiring coming up from under the electronics I routed it out the side through rubber gromets. looks good and works fine. I also rerouted the wires in the console to make room for 2 deep cycle batts for the trolling motor I just bought. I also was able to get the ray marine s1000 auto pilot installed and working. I had more time so I started the grab rail wrap that I want to do.. I have the half h itches done but ran out of time to do the turks head knots on it. Check out the pics..

[MolarBoater]

Looking good K9. Got the trolling motor yet?

[OspreyVic]

That looks GREAT Dick. We still hope that you can stop by on one of your trips to Florida.

[Genelie]

Looks great, I too must redo my electronics, since I now have my new radar.....just need to make time to do all the work.

[k9reno]

I actually got an hour and a half of water time today. got to check out my changes. The new placement of the fish finder and gps are nice. easy to see and work the menus. Believe it or not I actually got the auto pilot wired right. It works fine. passed autolearn and steers by the remote and tracks the gps iknfo to waypoint real nice. It turns smooth and with the motor and stereo I can not hear sound one from the pump. I thought the pump seemed kinda loud sitting in the drive but the turns were quck and smooth and quiet on the lake. Oh and the grab rail looks great.
I do have some kinda problem. simce installing the auto pilot something is draining my batts. I had them on charge over 24 hrs but when I dropped it in the water parked the truck, went to start the boat and it was litterally dead in the water. I hope I can find what is killing the batts. most likly the newest item the pilot.

[Codfish]

K9reno,

I noticed from one of the pics that you have your Perco battery switch in the "ALL" position. Do you leave it there? I have been baffled by when it is appropriate to use that "ALL" position instead of "1" or "2"?

What are your thoughts on this? Anyone else, please chime in.

Codfish

[k9reno]

I was unsure of the charge level of the batts as the boat had been sitting for quite a while at this point. Even in that position I ended up pluggin in the onboard charger. Also I think I may need to install a cut off on the power to the auto pilot becasue even after charging them for 24 hrs. 3 days later the batts were discharge enough I could not start the boat. Embarassing sitting on the water at the ramp..

Molar I got the trolling motor today. When I ordered it Boatersland advised it would not ship untill monday, and I actually got it this morning. great shipping. Now to just get the deep cycle batts and it looks easier to install than the auto pilot. Now I can fish slower

[Dick@merrittmarine]

Dick, We install a cut off switch on all auto pilot systems we install.

Dick

[Putershark]

Originally Posted by Codfish

K9reno,

I noticed from one of the pics that you have your Perco battery switch in the "ALL" position. Do you leave it there? I have been baffled by when it is appropriate to use that "ALL" position instead of "1" or "2"?

What are your thoughts on this? Anyone else, please chime in.

Codfish

Very rare to use such and I would say (pending how your charging system is wired) to re-charge both batteries OR if you find that neither one battery has enough amps to spin over the engine alone, you "might" grab enough amps from both units together for one last try

[Codfish]

All,

Here is my entire question. I wonder what damage, if any, can be done by leaving the perco in "ALL". Does that just increase the amps available or is there a rise in the volts as well. I suppose there is no voltage rise or we would all be burning up the wiring harness.

I have an onboard charger for both batteries. I leave home with them topped off with charge. If I am fishing for two or three days, using the electronics all day with engine off, the #1 battery can get pretty low on charge. I am wondering, absent the logic of a back up battery for starting, what concern or damage could result if I just left the perco in "ALL" for the entire time so electronics have full power.

Another question would be, is the outboard alternator just charging the battery used for starting, and would it charge both if "ALL" postition was used?

Have I confused any of you experts out there? I know I am. Talk to me.

Codfish