Thinking about adding a second battery

[10sport185]

Getting ready to install an amp and sub on my boat and wondering if I should add an extra battery. I probably won't have the stereo on without the boat running for too long, maybe 2 hours at the very most. How many are running second batteries?

 

[MonacoMike]

How about waiting until you know if you need a second battery and getting a good quality jump box from Costco?

MM

 

[beernutz]

I run a second battery with a Yandina combiner and a Blue Seas on/off/combined switch. It gives great piece of mind when beached and listening to the stereo for hours so that I don't have to worry about cranking up again.

 

[KC_Sundancer]

That was the first upgrade I did to our 22 Pachanga back when I bought it new. Like beernutz said "great peace of mind" having that second battery to get home after running stuff on the hook all day. I added a third to our current boat for that same reason because of the fridge.

 

[Sangster]

I added a 2nd battery in mine and I haven't added anything except a Lowrance Elite 5. I like the piece of mind knowing that if one craps out I can flip the perko switch and still start the engine.

 

[K9Deuce]

Just added the blue seas add a battery kit ( switch and acr) . Took about 2 hours and wasn't hard at all.. With their system there is no switching to do the acr does it all for you. What a piece of mind just turn the key and go.

I though about taking the jump box route but then I have to charge the box all time etc. I have one in the garage and years ago I had a battery drain to the point were the jump box wouldn't do it.. With the dual battery should I loose a battery beyond the point of jump starting I still have a second battery on board. Also with the battery switch I turn it off after using the boat which would eliminate anything draining the battery when the boats not in use should I ever develop such an issue.

.well worth the piece of mind..

 

[SloBurn]

All my boats have had two, ever since my Silverline crapped out on the Delaware river with the tide running strong. Luckily a rowboat with a battery and cables came by to get me running before we ended up in the piers of Philly. Inexpensive peace of mind!!

 

[surfinjoe]

+2 on two....LOL

I have 2 subs and 3 total amps and I just killed my battery for the first time a few weeks ago. It was very nice to just turn the switch and be back in power. One thing is that you have to be careful if you really kill your battery. Switching back to the 'dead' battery almost killed my motor. I now go to the 'all' zone and let the second battery charge for a bit. Another great addition is a onboard battery charger.

 

[10sport185]

I thought about a solar charger, but for it to be worthwhile you'd have to have some really big panels. Technology is coming but not quite here yet. I really like the "peace of mind" aspect of the 2 batteries. That will have to be an added part of my stereo install...

 

[Bumble]

For the money, I don't think you could go wrong. It was the first thing I did on my boat. Perko switch, tray and a second battery all for around $300. I have two little kids, so just a piece of mind thing for me. Could be beached for a while with the radio going and never have to worry. Even if I was just staying in the lake, kicking it at night with the anchor light and radio and Not worrying about turning the key was worth it for me. Also, have the off switch in itself is nice.

 

[surfinjoe]

A large solar charger will help, but not if you have several amps. My sound system draws a lot of juice (20-80 amps depending on volume).

 

[cptnblah]

I have a second battery for just the stereo and amp. It only gets a trickle charge when the boat is not in use. I put it in the compartment under the back seat on starboard side. When that battery dies, I will probably look into a switch and such but this was a quick fix and it is an old 1000 CCA battery a friend gave me.

 

[jobofly]

That was the first upgrade I did to our 22 Pachanga back when I bought it new. Like beernutz said "great peace of mind" having that second battery to get home after running stuff on the hook all day. I added a third to our current boat for that same reason because of the fridge.

How did you set it up with a third battery? Does the engine charge all 3 batteries?