adding second battery to 182 - together or one on each side?

[Husker-Q]

adding a Perko switch and extra battery to run accessories/radio off of. For those of you with second battery on the smaller BR's - do you have them together or one on each side? Thinking about the extra weight on port side if both together and would contribute to listing to port. If seperate sides, then I'd need to figure out how to run the cables around the engine, which makes me lean both together.

 

[MonacoMike]

How about a top quality 31 size case and a good jump pack? That is what we do on the bowrider.

MM

 

[Nehalennia]

I'd keep them on the same side. Consider an "Add a battery kit" from Blue Sea systems.
The cost of running battery cable accross the boat to balance 25-30 lbs isn't worth it. Having two batteries will really make your weekend and day trips more relaxing not worrying about a battery going dead.

 

[pchansen]

I second the Add A Battery setup. No switching batteries. For me, one is set up as a start battery that also has the ignition circuit,stereo memory, mercathode, trim, and one accessory plug. The other is a big deep cycle battery that runs everything else including the stereo, amp, and lights. I can leave the stereo and lights on till the accessory battery is dead and fire the boat up by simply turning the key.

 

[Sangster]

I put both batteries on the same side (port).

 

[millzrm]

I carry a 'Jump-N-Carry' type battery starter instead of installing a second batter. They are very affordable, lighweight and can be helpful to other boaters in need. I've never had to use it and I always have electronics plugged in and the radio playing. Personally I'm never docked/anchored for more than an few hrs at time where the battery would drain before I'm running the engine.

I asked about the 2nd battery for the same reason you did when I purchased my 2011 1985S and the dealer suggested this due to the cost of marine batteries, installing a switch and wiring.

 

[Husker-Q]

the jump pack is a good idea - I will certainly give that some thought - hope to never need but you never know!

Bring on spring!

 

[LawyerMan]

bring on spring!

amen

 

[surfinjoe]

I have two batteries port side. I added the second a couple years ago. What I like about having two batteries is the ability to have a house battery and a starting battery. That way, when I am at the sand bar I can let the music play and not worry a bit! I also have one bilge pump hooked to each battery. Redundancy is not always redundant!

I have also installed an on-board battery charger to top off the batteries at home or while at the dock!

It really depends on the type of boating you do. If you are just a weekend-warrior who launches in the morning and pulls out at night, then I would go the jump pack route. But if you plan on traveling any significant distance, say 5-10 miles each way, I would never leave port without a second battery. To many things can go wrong out there that would make you wish you had that second battery (dead alternator, taking a wave over the bow, dead cell).