Single Battery Questions

[Tosul]

Howdy, New to the forum.

Just got a 1994 200 Signature and it has a single battery setup. The boat is going to be stored on a trailer at a storage facility when not in use. Would it be better to take the battery home after each use and charge? Better to just leave it on the boat and bring a jump starter in case it dies? Or best to buy a backup battery and bring it along?

I’d rather not have to install a dual battery setup. It mainly just needs to start the boat I don’t have many “house” items that would run off the battery. But if that’s best please let me know.
Thanks for the help

 

[Stee6043]

Welcome!

If you disconnect the battery when you leave it there really should be no reason to bring it with you. A good battery should lose very little charge when sitting without a load.

 

[Lazy Daze]

How long will it be sitting between uses? A good battery will EASILY last a month with plenty of juice to start it up - without even disconnecting it.

A '94 has even less load on the battery when sitting idle than newer ones.

You could always add an inexpensive, solar maintainer for under $50 and set the solar panel on the swim deck.

 

[JimG]

Not a bad idea to have a jump box on board anyway.

Best of luck and welcome to CSR!

 

[Wylie_Tunes]

Would it be better to take the battery home after each use and charge?

You need a 2nd bank if you are returning to home with a low or dead battery. Other wise, the battery should not be low or dead, unless there is a charging or battery issue, or there is a parasitic draw when not in use. Regardless, im a huge fan of having dual banks in a boat, period.

 

[CNYBoater]

I have a 1994 200OVOB with a single battery, I also trailer. I turn the perko switch to off when not in use. I have a Stanley Jumpbox that the kids got me for Father's Day. The one time we were out and it did not start (Voltage Regulator blew and not charging) the jumpbox got us running and went back to the dock. Before I shrink, I remove the battery and keep it on a maintainer/trickle charger in the basement.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Unless you can pull start the motor install a second battery of subscribe to Boat US or SeaTow

 

[yobub]

I have had a similar setup in a '95 for 20 years. I keep a 2nd battery on the boat as a backup, but since it sits and doesn't get charged, it isnt always ready.for the job. Most if the time it is, but towards the end of the summer unless I have pulled it and charged it, maybe not. I also have a jump pack, again sometimes yes and sometimes no. Late last fall I finally gave in and installed a blue sea switch. The Blue Sea will charge both batteries but isolate drain of the 2nd battery. We'll see.

For context, the problem is rarely out on the water, although it can happen. The batteries are dead because the (old) radio was really complicated to actually turn off. It would seem like it was off but was really still on, and not just the draw for the radio memory. Finally routed that through a switch to mininize that issue.

The new jump packs are smaller and if you buy the right one they can have some good power. Check the CCA requirements of your engine and buy accordingly. Also easier to pull and charge.

 

[Tosul]

Thanks for all the input. I have the unlimited BoatUS membership and a jump starter so I’ll never be stranded. Just wanted to get ideas as to what my options were with single battery.

Anyone with the dual setup have suggestions on an inexpensive switch and cables?

 

[Wylie_Tunes]

inexpensive

You remember we're talking boats, right?

Seriously though. I use the Blue Sea switches with great success. 9001E. They are not the cheapest. I would not buy off the shelf automotive battery cables. The ends tend to corrode quick and fail in a couple seasons. You can buy cabling by the foot, quality terminals ans heat shrink, and build them custom to the proper length yourself.

No digging around to clamp on a boost box, no wondering if the boost box is charged. No waiting for seatow/boatus.

 

[yobub]

I bought my switch at West Marine. I ordered my cables through Amazon. Very good quality. Get the right gauge cables. The cables get expensive pretty quickly, but these were reasonable and I'm happy with them.

 

[Kwik]

I did my dual battery set-up on my 94 180 bowrider with only Amazon sourced parts and a print I found here in the forums long before I was a member. $200 including the battery and about 3 hours of my time on a weekday and we never had another concern. I still carry one of those cellphone sized jump boxes even on my 2004 240DA. You never know. I was in the Navy years ago and I am a tradesman. Redundancy is the key to success.