257 trolling motor battery placement.

[Elins9iron]

Im looking to add a trolling motor to my 257 Advance. Does anyone have pictures of how and where they placed batteries? Trying to decide between a 36v 100ah, 2 36v 50ah, or 3 12v 100ah batteries. All cost about the same, I would prefer having the 3 12v's, but im not sure I have the space without giving up storage.

I imagine a 257 fisherman would be the same.

Thanks,

 

[Elins9iron]

Does anyone have pictures of the factory 257 Fisherman trolling motor battery location?

 

[DennisG01]

Make a quick box out of cardboard to simulate the size of the battery or batteries you're thinking about. Easy peasy lemon squeezy to just go play around and see what you like. It really doesn't matter where anyone else, or the factory, put it -- put it where YOU want to.

 

[Finest Kind]

IMO its an easy decision, just go with one 36V 100 amp LiFePO4 battery.

One 36V 100 amp LiFePO4 battery is going to be lighter than three 12v batteries.

Plus you can mount it anywhere, even it a totally enclosed space since you never have to add water or worry about out-gassing.

Plus there will be simpler installation and less long term maintenance with connections less prone to future corrosion since there will be only 1 positive and 1 negative cable vs multiple cable connections to tie 3 batteries together.

Plus perhaps the MOST important advantage:
The LiFePO4 battery will continue to put out the full 36 volts to effectively operate your trolling motor even as the power depletes to below 10% of it's original 100% charge.
A typical lead/acid or AGM battery will have reduced voltage and your trolling motor will be inoperable once its charge gets down to around 50%.....

What's not to like?

I mounted mine inside the starboard compartment below the bunk on my 88 Trophy Pro. As mentioned above, it is a totally enclosed space with no ventilation...and it is no problem there at all.
See pic below.