A second battery for my 170 BR

H

Hackman

New Member
May 29, 2013
24
Lakewood, WA
Boat Info
1993 Sea Ray 170
Engines
3.0L Mercruiser w/Alpha One Drive
Hi Fellas, I recently totally killed my battery because I left the key on for a few days...Doh! So I pulled the dead battery, installed a new one, and put a trickle charger on the old battery. It has come to life and remains on the trickle charger in the garage. Anyway...I want to put a new stereo system in the boat with just two speakers and maybe an amp down the road. I'm wanting to install a second battery to handle the stereo duties, but my little 170 is cramped for space. Any ideas on a small batt that I could squeeze into the cramped compartment that could handle the stereo?
 
No suggestions? I need a small battery and all I find are full size. My battery compartment is too small for two full size batteries.
 
Maybe you could mount a second battery on the opposite side. It doesn't have to be right next to the one you have. Maybe get a jumper pack instead. It will give you a backup and be portable. You could get a jet ski or motorcycle battery but it won't hold up to repeated discharges.
 
On a smaller boat that is a tough call. If there is room on the other side to distribute weight evenly that is ok. You don't need to huge deep cycle batteries either. Use your main battery most of the time and the other while you are beached with the radio on. Shouldn't need crazy CCA for your motor, and it is usually not strained being it is not used in the cold. A friend actually put his extra in the front part of his ski locker in a case.
 
Thanks Blaster and Bumble....It's my first boat so naturally I thought the battery should go with the other one. I'll take a look tomorrow at the other side. I think my wife shoved a bunch of stuff in that cubby. It might be perfect for the second battery. Thanks fellas.
 
If you are able to accommodate a second battery, get a blue sea add a battery kit. It comes with a switch and an automatic charge relay. It will manage charging and isolate the house battery. The starting battery won't be drained and you will have piece of mind.
 
blaster said:
If you are able to accommodate a second battery, get a blue sea add a battery kit. It comes with a switch and an automatic charge relay. It will manage charging and isolate the house battery. The starting battery won't be drained and you will have piece of mind.
Click to expand...
Where could I find such a thing?.................never mind, I see that West marine carries it. Thanks.
 
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The only thing the second battery will run is the new stereo and 2 speakers and maybe a small amp. Would the mini be enough for that system?
 
Depends on your alternators output. The mini is rated for 65 amps max.
 
Check your alternators output rating and that will tell you which size to go with. I did the blue seas add a battery this year and I love it. One thing to factor in is the cost of the cables. Use the marine grade cables which are tinned , this with the correct connectors will add to the cost. If you search around on the Internet you can find some good deals on the cables. I want to say the cables and connectors add about another 100 or so to the cost of the system.
 
i do not think the mini is any smaller physically than the other higher capacity ARC. you can go larger than your charging circuit but smaller will cause issues. I love my add a battery ACR and I am glad other folks are recommending them as a second battery solution they are fool proof. Make sure you get all the required rated fuses and installation materials.
 
Here's a photo of my install . I used a piece of marine grade plywood wrapped in a rubber matting. This way I only created four small screw holes in the engine compartment area to mount the board , everything else mounts to the board. I also utilized circuit breakers instead of fuses, ( about 30.00 each ) and a bus bar for the negative side.
 

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K9Deuce said:
Here's a photo of my install . I used a piece of marine grade plywood wrapped in a rubber matting. This way I only created four small screw holes in the engine compartment area to mount the board , everything else mounts to the board. I also utilized circuit breakers instead of fuses, ( about 30.00 each ) and a bus bar for the negative side.
Click to expand...

Wow..thats nice.
 
I put one in the compartment under the seat on the starboard side rear. It operates my stereo and power amp. I have a 1000 CCA battery off a friends big boat as I just trickle charge it when not in use. Works great. Next step is the power cap I bought to help from the cutting out when above 25 on the stereo.
 
I finished installing the new stereo and have stayed with just the one on board battery. Took it out to the lake, the stereo isnt hooked up to the ignition so I don't have to turn the key to get the stereo to work. I ran the stereo for about an hour then started the boat and let it idle for about 10 minutes. Shut it all down and went back to the radio. I can't image that it would draw so much from the battery with only a stereo and two 6.5 speakers. No amp. The boat started right up. Do you think I still should look into a second battery? We only drop an anchor and float for a few hours at a time.
 
I only have one battery. Haven't killed it yet. I certainly feel better when I have the jump start unit with me.

Since you have the radio hooked up separate from the key switch could you use a volt sensing relay to cut it off before it kills the battery?
 
I did exactly what you did for a while but was never Ble to relax as always wondering a voltage senseing relay is also a great idea
 
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