Charging both batteries of outboard?

[jltimm]

I own a 1660 Pro V with a 1999 Yamaha 50 HP 4 stroke outboard.I was wondering if there is any way to charge the front battery and the starting battery with the outboard?Is this possible,and is it a complicating procedure?

[Giant_Jackpot]

You could put in a battery isolator like they do in RVs. When the big motor is off, a relay disconnects the second (trolling motor) battery. Turning the ignition on would activate the relay for a connection. This could also be done using a manual on/off switch (the big marine types) but you would have to remember to switch it on when you wanted to charge the second battery. Do you know how many amps the alternator puts out on that motor? Might not be worth the trouble of putting in the isolator if there is not much current there…………….

[marine_man]

A quick check of yamaha's HSOforum shows a 17 amp alternator for the 2005 50 4 stroke... which likely is larger than yours since they added efi to the 50 this year.

Regardless, two products come to mind:

The first is by a company called Stay N Charge, which use to be a site sponser, but I don't see them listed anymore.. anyway, they make a product called the All Charge which charges your trolling batteries while you're running.

The second is made by Dual Pro (the dual pro charging people) and it's called the ProXtra II.. which does something similar to the all charge.

However, I don't think your alternator puts out enough amperage where you're going to see a noticeable change in the charge of your batteries... products like those listed above are run on the bigger (>150) hp engines that have high output alternators.

marine_man

[Fireguy]

Bass Pro shops has an inexpensive unit that will put some charge towards your trolling motor battery while running. Don't expect this to fully charge your battery however, just adds a little more time between charges.