Dual battery setup

[toddbrown]

What do I need to do to properly run or charge two batteries off of my 65amp alt? Does this cause more stresson the alt?

 

[vipzach]

Re: Dual battery setup

There are several choices. I personally like the combiners. They isolate the batteries when your motor is off and then charge them both when it is running. The one that I bought came with all of the wiring needed. It works great and I don't have to remember to switch when I start and turn off the motor. It is pretty much worry free, which I like!!!

 

[toddbrown]

Re: Dual battery setup

How does that work? When the boat is off, how does it know which battery to draw from? How much and where do yo get buy it?

 

[vipzach]

Re: Dual battery setup

It is basically a relay, when it senses voltage it "closes" and both batteries recieve charge. It does not draw any power. Your boat still starts just like normal, you don't mess with the boat wiring. It is just a box with a couple of wires coming out of it, one wire to each battery and you are done.<br />I bought mine at Bass Pro, do a search for battery combiners. If you still can't find one I will find you a link.

 

[MainstreetUSA1]

Re: Dual battery setup

Bass Pro Shops sells a unit called a phase charger that isolates and charges (via alternator)additional batteries once the cranking battery is fully topped off.<br /><br />Bass Pro Shops® XPS™ 12V Phase Charger<br /><br />38-533-810-00<br /><br />Check their website.<br />www.basspro.com

 

[vipzach]

Re: Dual battery setup

That is one that I bought, I haven't had any problems.

 

[toddbrown]

Re: Dual battery setup

Ok, sorry to keep on, but when you shut the boat off and start running the radio and/or fish finder do they draw from one battery or the other? Does the Alt work any harder then normal?

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Dual battery setup

This should help. It's the manual for the West Marine Combiner:<br /><br /> http://www.yandina.com/acrobats/C150Data.pdf <br /><br />BEP Marine also makes them and even have some models that include the battery switches, etc, pre-wired<br /><br /> http://www.bepmarine.com/showcategory.cfm?categoryid=6

 

[toddbrown]

Re: Dual battery setup

Thanks!

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Dual battery setup

Here is what BEP calls their "distribution clusters" which pre-packages everything you need. Great idea and If I had to do it all over again, I'd give these serious consideration (I currently use 2 West Marine combiners in a 3 battery system and had to wire all the switches myself, so these "clusters" look like a real time saver)<br /><br /> http://www.bepmarine.com/showcategory.cfm?categoryid=76

 

[vipzach]

Re: Dual battery setup

In my boat I have a large stereo, that I wired to run off of a second battery. That way when I was ready to leave I don't have to worry about the "starting" battery being dead. So they will draw from whatever they are hooked to.