Marine dual battery system

[LandyAndy]

Guys what are your thoughts on dual battery systems for boats???
I intend fitting a second battery.
In my D2 I have the Drivesafe gear.
In my boat I think I prefer a simple 1 or 2 or Both Cole Hersey setup.
My thoughts are I cant push start the boat if I have issues trying to rope start.
I have bought a good stereo and depending on its performance may also add an additional amp.Add on the load of sounder/GPS/VHF.
My thoughts are instal a Cole Hersey switch and only use 1 battery,then there is a spare full battery waiting if need be.Outboards dont produce huge amounts of electricity at best.
When back on land,I simply switch to both batteries and connect my 25amp Ctek to re-charge ready for the next trip.
Thoughts please.
Andrew

[isuzurover]

I have 2 batteries and a marine dual battery switch for mine. The plan is to keep it on "both" when underway, and one of the two when at anchor.

However I won't ever be installing a radio. Just a GPS and sounder. My F70A has a 17A alternator.

[roverrescue]

Andy, your plan sounds good.

A solid manual switch is the way to go in a boat. Terminate well, use glued heat srink and paint with liquid electrical tape (tinned wire of course). There are a few ways to do it but the following seems to work.

Have all ancillary junk attached to battery 2

Have engine wired to batt 1

Start with switch on batt 1, once engin running switch to both. Some donks love the switching maybe check this first????
When at anchor flick back to batt 1 or off even.

(your accesories will still work as they are wired to the isolated batt 2)

Century Marine Pros N70 size (720CCA) have been good to me. I buy a new one for the boat annually then shuffle them through the pair in the defender.

Steve

[Pilbara130]

Hi Andy,

I fitted the red arc isolator on my boat and as yet it has not let me down.I have my Two way/Music player/sounder/gps on all day when im out and i also fitted a battery monitor so that i can keep an eye on the charge.
The manual isolators are great but you do need to remember to keep switching them over thats the only reason i went with the red-arc because im so forgetful.

Dan

[D3V1L]

there are some fantastic fully automatic marine dual battery systems out there.

all depends how much u want to spend. i put a fandangle auto with manual override and isolation on mine, but its a 26" ally boat with a bulk load of electrical gear on it, so it was necessary.

just remember its not as easy to jump start a boat motor:P

simple 3pole isolator will do the job ample but if u forget about it you will know about it:P

davo

[Tombie]

I run 2xN70 marine.

1 runs the lighting the other runs all accessories.

Each also starts 1 engine.

There's a set of jump leads for emergencies!

If we're really going out for a long time we take a jump pack.


"Where the Desert meets the Sea"
'Did I mention some great 4WDriving is just 5 minutes from home?'

[LandyAndy]

Yesterday I ordered a Centuary 720 marine pro.This battery will be my main battery,exsisting battery is a 660 Centuary marine battery,it is fairly new,it will become the reserve battery.
Andrew

[isuzurover]

Whilst we are on the topic of batteries, how different is a marine battery from a normal N70?

I have a pile of new and near new Delkor N70s. I have been using them up till now, however what can I expect long term compared to a "proper" marine battery?

[Blknight.aus]

usually theres somewhere on the boat you can stick a solar panel...

I know of a guy whose had 4 of the 2 amp roll up weather proof ones sewn into his canopy. hes quotable as saying "even without a battery it puts enough juice in to get the engine electrics up for a rope start"

[slug_burner]

Simple mechanical switch, 1, 2, both, off. I think we used to run it on alternate batteries on alternate days. Rope starting a big outboard is as difficult as steering it without the steering gear that goes to the front of the boat. You don't want to have to do either. Keep your batteries charged and your steering cable lubed.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/11/7.jpg

All I know about marine batteries is that they are meant to be more tolerant to vibrations.

[Tombie]

Whilst we are on the topic of batteries, how different is a marine battery from a normal N70?

I have a pile of new and near new Delkor N70s. I have been using them up till now, however what can I expect long term compared to a "proper" marine battery?

Better supporting grids between plates basically. So that the pounding of the boat doesnt break the plates away

[LandyAndy]

Better supporting grids between plates basically. So that the pounding of the boat doesnt break the plates away

Also they are usually a combination of start/deep cycle.
Andrew