ibBoatingJimi
Cadet
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2016
- Messages
- 8
Adding an amplifier to my boat. Would I need a second battery specifically to power amp...or will 1 dual purpose battery do the trick?
Depends on how much key off run time you want. I've run some very large stereo systems on a boat with a single battery, but they could also drain the battery in under 15 minutes if you tried hard enough.
Also, it depends on what kind of engine you have. I'm somewhat hesitant to build a large stereo in a boat with a stator equipped outboard. Just not enough power to charge everything, and you will end up frying the stator if it is maxed out all the time (which I have done, numerous times, in my boat!). In that case, look for the most efficient speakers and amps you can find.
You can use an ACR and it will automatically keep the main battery charged and then you can use the second battery for accessories without the worry of not having a charge in the main battery. Get the engine running before going to far though.Ok. Thank you for the information.
All I know about the motor is that it may be
MerCruiser
Alpha One / ThunderBolt Ignition
4.3L 175 2bbl (MerCarb) 262 CID.
I looked online and that's the only one to come close to what mine looks like. Its an inboard motor.
Needs an exhaust manifold. It cracked and has been sitting in my buddies driveway, covered up for about 3 years. Just gave it to me the other day for my birthday.
When wiring up a second battery, I have seen a switch is needed to I can combine both batteries if needed but can also tell what battery to use.
When wiring up a second battery, I have seen a switch is needed to I can combine both batteries if needed but can also tell what battery to use.
MerCruiser
Alpha One / ThunderBolt Ignition
4.3L 175 2bbl (MerCarb) 262 CID.
I looked online and that's the only one to come close to what mine looks like. Its an inboard motor.
Needs an exhaust manifold. It cracked and has been sitting in my buddies driveway, covered up for about 3 years. Just gave it to me the other day for my birthday.
Needs an exhaust manifold. It cracked and has been sitting in my buddies driveway, covered up for about 3 years. Just gave it to me the other day for my birthday.
.
Just curious, are you putting in a stereo before you know if the engine runs or not? A cracked exhaust may only be the first thing you find that needs replacement. If that cracked due to a freeze event then the engine block could also have been affected.
Gotta have tunes while you are spending weeks trying to figure out why the boat doesn't work![]()
Gotta have tunes while you are spending weeks trying to figure out why the boat doesn't work![]()
Bear in mind that giving away a boat can be a good way (and sometimes the only way) for someone to get rid of it without having to pay to have it hauled away and scrapped.
It might be a viable project, but you need to know what you're getting into before it becomes your headache. You've been advised that a cracked manifold could well be the tip of the iceberg as far as repairs. Given that you appear to know very little about boats, please be very, very careful about putting it in your name before you have some idea of what you're getting. Once you own it, it's out of his driveway and into yours- maybe forever.
At least move the sound system down to around number 200 on your 'to do' list.
My .02