Using the radio while not underway.....

[DCrozier190]

Hey folks,

I have a 2013 190 Sport. We drop the anchor in coves for lunch/hanging out, etc and we want the radio on. The radio will play while not unpower if you turn the key to the left and to the right.

What's the difference between the two locations and which location should I be using to ensure I don't kill the battery, etc.

Is there a limit to how long I should keep the radio on? I would hope the battery is good for at least a couple of hours....

Thanks!

Darren
Tilghman Island, MD
190 Sport (For Sale)

 

[Sangster]

I turn the key to the left in my 185 Sport to listen while they motor is off. First thing I bought for my boat was a 2nd battery with a Perko switch. Then if I ever run one battery dead I can flip the switch to the other battery and start the engine.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

 

[dburne]

I recently purchased a new 190 Sport, and for the same reason as you ( we love to anchor in a cove and just hang out ), I had the dealer install dual batteries with selector switch.
So when we are anchored for a while, I will just move the selector to one individual battery and run the stereo off of it while we are parked.

Hard to say how long you might get off of a single battery, without knowing it's health and all. It was for this reason when I bought this boat the dual batteries was the first thing I asked the dealer for, mainly for peace of mind.

 

[dcpringle]

The dual battery setup can be self installed. There was a great how to article that explained exactly how to do it in boating magazine. I bet if you go to their site and search it you can find the DYI.

 

[Jeepguy]

I agree with all posters! I always turn the ignition back to the left. Even with a new battery I was always too afraid to run the radio for very long. A 2nd battery is always my first mod.

 

[10sport185]

I am adding a second battery in mine as well. I'm running a couple amps now and want to make sure the boat will start after hanging out for a while.

 

[jason78]

I am not familiar with your exact boat but if you have an MPI engine with an ECM, it is likely that if you turn the ignition to the right it will energize the ECM needlessly helping to run your battery down and run up the engine hours recorded in the ECM. Regardless, I think the best practice is to turn to the left of OFF for radio use.

 

[DCrozier190]

Thanks everyone. Left it is. I just got the boat dropped in this weekend from the dealer. I should have posted the question before getting it, so they could have added a second battery. I do need to improve my DIY skills on the boat, but I don't think I'll tackle this as my first project...

There's always the iPhone as well

Thanks again.

Darren

 

[Scott9000]

I recently purchased a new 190 Sport, and for the same reason as you ( we love to anchor in a cove and just hang out ), I had the dealer install dual batteries with selector switch.
So when we are anchored for a while, I will just move the selector to one individual battery and run the stereo off of it while we are parked.

Hard to say how long you might get off of a single battery, without knowing it's health and all. It was for this reason when I bought this boat the dual batteries was the first thing I asked the dealer for, mainly for peace of mind.

Thanks for this photo. I am going to self install the duel batteries.

 

[CliffA]

FWIW, i have two group 27 deep cycle batteries in my boat....when they are healthy and fully charged a single battery can (and has several times) run the stereo for several hours (no large power amp installed), cabin and cockpit lights as needed at night, the TV for a couple hours to watch a movie, and power a 12V fan throughout the night and still have enough charge to start the engine the next morning.....

your situation may vary so don't take my experience as an absolute truth....i was just giving you an example of how much performance a deep cycle battery 'CAN' provide.....

i would personnaly install dual batteries on any boat i owned as a precaution and piece of mind.....just cycle between the two batteries on different days when you are on the hook and listening to the stereo to keep the battery life about the same for both batteries...

cliff