Camano Troll bow thruster/windlass power source

[3rdOrderEffect]

Fellow troll owners,

My boat has what looks to be a factory configured 4-battery house bank plus a separate single battery for engine start. Assuming everything is factory configured, does the bow thruster and/or windlass pull off the starter batt or the house bank? I would think the latter, but the boat is about 30 mins away and I won’t be out there for a few days to verify in person.

 

[DavidM]

Not sure there is a standard new boat configuration. Often the dealer installs the batteries, so it could be anything.

FWIW, a bow thruster is more like a starting load: heavy and brief. A windlass is in between.

David

 

[3rdOrderEffect]

Yeah, it may have varied over the years from the factory. It’ll be easy enough to check once I’m at the boat, I was just trying to do a little system planning.

 

[Comodave]

I would not trust that it hasn’t been changed by a PO. I would only trust what I can see with my own eyes.

 

[nussbda]

The original configuration was a 2 battery house bank. The wiring diagram is attached. I don't remember where I found it posted.
Dave

 

[dhays]

I would take that diagram as just a possible suggestion of how the boat might have come from the factory. No guarantee that was how it really was delivered, let alone how it could have been changed in the intervening time.

The only way to be sure is to trace wires. If you have a helper, a multi-meter with amp clamp, and possibly a pair of walkie-talkies or cell phones, that can be quicker and easier to answer some of those questions.

 

[3rdOrderEffect]

Thanks for the replies! The wiring diagram is an interesting find for sure. My boat is a later troll (2003) and for sure has been modified (it has a much more extensive 120v system as compared to the single outlet from the factory). I’m headed to the boat today for some maintenance so I’ll confirm what’s what.

 

[dhays]

Thanks for the replies! The wiring diagram is an interesting find for sure. My boat is a later troll (2003) and for sure has been modified (it has a much more extensive 120v system as compared to the single outlet from the factory). I’m headed to the boat today for some maintenance so I’ll confirm what’s what.

Good luck. Make sure you bring that most important boat tool, knee pads.

 

[3rdOrderEffect]

I can confirm that both bow thruster and windlass are wired to my four battery house bank.

 

[KMAL]

This is pretty standard on boats w/o genets - I make sure I am running my engine/alternator when using the windlass as it can be a long/heavy draw. Not an issue with the thrusters as I do not use them unless running the engine. You do not want anything drawing on your starter battery as you do not want to deplete it. That being said, you should have a battery switch that allows you to merge house and starter banks in the event of a depleted starter battery.

 

[3rdOrderEffect]

This is pretty standard on boats w/o genets - I make sure I am running my engine/alternator when using the windlass as it can be a long/heavy draw. Not an issue with the thrusters as I do not use them unless running the engine. You do not want anything drawing on your starter battery as you do not want to deplete it. That being said, you should have a battery switch that allows you to merge house and starter banks in the event of a depleted starter battery.

My troll does have a 3.5kw diesel genset, and a disconnect installed that combines the banks if needed