Here's my situation, hopefully you guys have some good ideas for me!
I've got a 160 Bow Rider which I've already installed a nice sized in-boat stereo, and it will soon be getting a wakeboard tower with speakers. These tower speakers will require an additional two amplifiers on top of the one already installed. Obviously this is a tremendous requirement for power!! I'm going to upgrade to a 140amp alternator when I do the tower; that will cover me while I'm under way. My issue now is if I want to run the stereo while having fun on the beach. I currently have an Optima D34M Blue top installed (870CA, 120RC, 55AH) as my only battery. With the current stereo (not including tower speakers) I can run for around 45min-1 hr, 15min (depending on volume) and still be able to start the boat. But, I need more!! So I intend on installing another battery. I'm debating installing the Optima blue top D31M (1125CA, 155RC, 75AH) as the second battery and using this one as my "House battery" per-say.
Given the above info, how would you guys advise I hook this up? The batteries will be on opposite sides of the boat (one under each stern jump seat), and I have an Xantrex charger that charges up to three batteries (or banks) separately... so it's important that once the boat is powered down, these batteries stay isolated aside from ground. And of course, I'd certainly want both batteries to charge from the alternator while under way. I'm looking at this as insurance that my big stereo doesn't leave me short on cranking power!
Thanks guys (and gals)!
ps... don't worry, I'm also going to be bumping up to at least 2ga wire when I do this; I know plenty about electrical principles/requirements... just haven't dealt with a situation such as this before!
I've got a 160 Bow Rider which I've already installed a nice sized in-boat stereo, and it will soon be getting a wakeboard tower with speakers. These tower speakers will require an additional two amplifiers on top of the one already installed. Obviously this is a tremendous requirement for power!! I'm going to upgrade to a 140amp alternator when I do the tower; that will cover me while I'm under way. My issue now is if I want to run the stereo while having fun on the beach. I currently have an Optima D34M Blue top installed (870CA, 120RC, 55AH) as my only battery. With the current stereo (not including tower speakers) I can run for around 45min-1 hr, 15min (depending on volume) and still be able to start the boat. But, I need more!! So I intend on installing another battery. I'm debating installing the Optima blue top D31M (1125CA, 155RC, 75AH) as the second battery and using this one as my "House battery" per-say.
Given the above info, how would you guys advise I hook this up? The batteries will be on opposite sides of the boat (one under each stern jump seat), and I have an Xantrex charger that charges up to three batteries (or banks) separately... so it's important that once the boat is powered down, these batteries stay isolated aside from ground. And of course, I'd certainly want both batteries to charge from the alternator while under way. I'm looking at this as insurance that my big stereo doesn't leave me short on cranking power!
Thanks guys (and gals)!
ps... don't worry, I'm also going to be bumping up to at least 2ga wire when I do this; I know plenty about electrical principles/requirements... just haven't dealt with a situation such as this before!