Need new Battery

[por2gezo]

Hey guys,

My 185 is due for a new battery and i wanted to ask all of your opinions on what I should do.

Option 1
Install perko switch with 2 "24" batteries.

Option 2
no perko and get one "27" dual purpose batter and carry a jump pack on board if I need it in a certain cituation.

Only think that I may do while the boat is not running is play the radio for maybe an hour or 2 ( note, I have a 300 watt amp that runs a 10" sub-woofer as well )

Suggestions ? what else is everone doing ?

Space is limited on my boat so I would love to get some feedback

 

[Nehalennia]

por2
I suggest you get 2 batteries and a "add a battery" kit from Blue Sea Systems. Here's another good thread about a similar thing
http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/11755-Adding-a-battery-switch?highlight=blue+sea+systems

 

[Merge360]

por2gezo...

Here's what I did several months back... Easy project to tackle!

http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/19425-Any-195-owners-out-there/page7

 

[chandalen]

I like the 2 battery set up. I have a smaller start up battery, one for each engine, and the #2 battery is a Sears group 31M. Has a 3 year replacement warranty, but its expensive. In theory should last quite a while.

You could get an ammeter and measure amp useage of your amp and sub, then do the fun math and calculate possible use time.

I like being able to isolate my starting battery and make sure it remains a starting battery

http://www.sears.com/diehard-platinum-marine-battery-group-size-31m-price-with/p-02850131000P

 

[robbo8199]

I had a similar question some time ago. I made the decision to add a second battery.

There are a few different ways to get this done as the gents have suggested. Because I was starting from scratch with my entire system I added a second battery and ran everything stereo related to the new battery. I essentially kept mine as a “closed circuit” and didn’t integrate it in any way to anything else (no perko switch, didn't attach to the alternator, etc.). I simply have the stereo hooked up to the new battery and charge that at the house before we go out.

The most thorough way would be to integrate it as Merge360 did.

 

[beernutz]

I have done both. I started with one battery and carried a Duracel battery starter on the boat for those 'just in case' moments. Two years ago I had a second battery installed in my boat along with a Yandina C100 battery combiner and a Blue Sea Systems 5511e battery switch. That system works great and my only regret is that I didn't install it sooner. You can run your radio as long as you like with the motor off without worrying about being able to start the boat.