Adding a second battery...need advice

[mspm47]

I have a 19' Sea Pro Center Console. It has a strong cranking battery. I also power a stereo, VHF, lights, trim, etc with it. I am afraid that some of our extended days on the water will quickly drain the cranking battery. The boat has room for a second battery. I was wondering if i caould add a deep cell battery, (located right beside the current battery)?
If so, how do I wire it so it also gets charged when the motor is running?

I then wanted to run a line underneath the console and install a fuse panel so i can clean up the wiring and offer fuse protection.

As always, any help, advice and direction will be appreciation.

Peace, love and dock lines

BobbySea

 

[TBarCYa]

Re: Adding a second battery...need advice

What I did was installed a battery switch and took all positive connections off the starting battery and put them on the common post of the switch except for the stereo memory which goes directly to the deep cycle battery. Then the starting battery goes to post 1 and the deep cycle to post 2. This way, the whole boat runs off whatever battery is selected and the alternator charges whichever battery is selected. I choose batt1 for starting and warming up and then switch to both when running to charge both batteries. When anchoring with the radio/vhf/lights on I switch it to batt2.

My favorite part of this setup is that if I do happen to run the cranking battery dead, I can still start the engine on the deep cycle and you don't need to rewire the whole boat unless you want to.

 

[Woodnaut]

Re: Adding a second battery...need advice

-47, you could install something called a "battery isolator". This device permits the engine to charge both batteries, but isolates the loads on the two batteries. That is to say, it would allow the accessories to operate of off the second battery as normal, but it would not allow the accessories to drain down the starting battery.

http://www.iboats.com/Marine_Store/dm/*******.538191313--keywords.battery%20isolators--search_type.keyword--**********.892781785

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Adding a second battery...need advice

Instead of a battery isolator, get a battery combiner(also called an ACR). Blue Sea sytems makes an excellent one. Isolators will not allow your batteries to get fully charged because of the diode voltage drop.

http://bluesea.com/category/2/productline/overview/386

http://www.iboats.com/Cl_Series_Bat...2419033--**********.771271951--view_id.237656

http://www.boatfix.com/cart2/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=7241

 

[fishmen111]

Re: Adding a second battery...need advice

Get yourself a Perko battery switch. Best $25 you can spend. Instructions will explain it all. Leave the switch on "both" while running to use and charge both batteries. When you stop, move to #2 (deep cycle) to protect your starting battery (#1). You have many options, that's just the one I use. I would put the batteries on opposite sides of the boat to equilize weight.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Adding a second battery...need advice

Leave the switch on "both" while running to use and charge both batteries. When you stop, move to #2 (deep cycle) to protect your starting battery (#1).

That is what I used to do until I forgot to switch it off "both" and drained both batteries once. Now I rely on the combiner to automnatically disconnect the batteries when the engine stops.

 

[mspm47]

Re: Adding a second battery...need advice

Thanks to all for the help. Since the battery compartment is not that accessible, the combiner looks like what i need. I assume it comes with some detailed instructions so I can install. Reading the info from the link, it appears to do exactly what i need.

Good water to all of you
BobbySea

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Adding a second battery...need advice

What I did was installed a battery switch and took all positive connections off the starting battery and put them on the common post of the switch except for the stereo memory which goes directly to the deep cycle battery. Then the starting battery goes to post 1 and the deep cycle to post 2. This way, the whole boat runs off whatever battery is selected and the alternator charges whichever battery is selected. I choose batt1 for starting and warming up and then switch to both when running to charge both batteries. When anchoring with the radio/vhf/lights on I switch it to batt2.

My favorite part of this setup is that if I do happen to run the cranking battery dead, I can still start the engine on the deep cycle and you don't need to rewire the whole boat unless you want to.

Not downing anybody's suggestion or input but the above mentioned sounds like a great setup. I really haven't put any though into a bettery switch or other kind of device, now I'm dealing with the older electric trolling motor interfearing with my depth finders. I use the one battery for starting only, the other battery powers the accessories.

 

[mspm47]

Re: Adding a second battery...need advice

i agree wildmaninal. I think this is the route i will go and will keep the list updated on the results. The only negative (no pun intended) is that to keep the switch close to the battery, it will not be an easy access for me. Sea Pro owners know what I am talking about.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Adding a second battery...need advice

Not downing anybody's suggestion or input but the above mentioned sounds like a great setup. I really haven't put any though into a bettery switch or other kind of device, now I'm dealing with the older electric trolling motor interfearing with my depth finders. I use the one battery for starting only, the other battery powers the accessories.

Now if I could just fix my spelling and typing I would be alright .