Marine battery advice
Submitted by 92jimwa92 on Tue, 2013-07-02 11:36
I'm after your opinions on what you think is a good battery set up e.g a starting battery and a deep cycle battery or two deep cycle batteries etc. also what brand and model of batteries are tho go!
thanks
pale ale
Posts: 1755
Date Joined: 02/01/10
What size boat / motor ya
What size boat / motor ya got?
Rig
Posts: 2925
Date Joined: 27/12/06
batteries
The ideal setup is one cranking/starting battery that only starts your motor and one deep cycle that runs everything else.
I just installed a dual battery kit and an additional deep cycle in my boat on the weekend. I got the kit from whitworths for just under $150. Instead of running a dual battery system you can get a manual battery isolator switch that is cheaper but you have to remember to switch it over, a pain in the ass in my opinion and more often than not the source of flat batteries.
I got a battery from challenge batteries they recommended the Delkor ($200), this battery will also start my boat no worries in an emergency. Either way just make sure it is a specified marine battery and you wont go wrong
I would also consider an main isolating switch for both your batteries to make sure you dont accidently leave something on while not in use = flat battery and reduce the chance of electrolysis (aluminium boat). Also reduce s the chnace of a circuit shorting and starting a fire when not in use. Get a double pole isolator and you can run both your battery feeds through it.
Paul H
Posts: 2104
Date Joined: 18/01/07
+1.Make sure you don't get
+1.
Make sure you don't get standard car batteries and get a decent Marine Battery. A little bit dearer (around $200 or slightly more is about right) but they are built stronger and will take the knocks etc. of continuously bouncing over waves. Normal car batteries are just not up to it and risk failure that'll leave you stranded.
Other tip is if you have a dual battery setup of two marine batteries if one dies replace both at the same time as the other is likely on its way out as well. If you don't the older battery often puts extra strain on the new one and can shorten its life dramatically which means the new battery ends up stuffed in a short time frame and just wastes money
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92jimwa92
Posts: 10
Date Joined: 26/02/13
My boat is 18 ft with a 115
My boat is 18 ft with a 115 evi on it. It's got 2 sets of battery cables and also 2 isolates but I'm not sure how its all wires up, the electrics on it are a bit dodge. Anyone know of an auto sparky that does boats or would all auto sparkies work on boats as well
talking horse
Posts: 183
Date Joined: 08/07/08
Dual Batteries
Make sure you get someone good to do the work,
I have just found out that the dual batterie system I had installed was totally wired wrong, isolater wouldn't even shut down the batteries,
I suggest getting a marine auto electrician
as I have know paid for the job to be done twice!!!!!
Rig
Posts: 2925
Date Joined: 27/12/06
sparky
Good thinking 92jimwa92 If your not sure it pays to get an expert to do it right and do it once to give you peace of mind when at sea. I am a sparky by trade so do all my own work.
Shark1
Posts: 1086
Date Joined: 21/05/12
mmmmmmh i remember swearing
mmmmmmh i remember swearing after an auto sparkie who was employed to work on marine jobs
running negative to hull etc,
just crimping wires and not sealing joints in wet places, not tieing down- vibration is a big killer in marine wiring
but then i ve seen some shockers in new outboard installations as well
whoever you get have a look at some of their other work
pale ale
Posts: 1755
Date Joined: 02/01/10
"kempy" is a member here who
"kempy" is a member here who is an auto sparky. I'm sure he understands how to wire a boat properly.
92jimwa92
Posts: 10
Date Joined: 26/02/13
Thanks guys ill make sure to
Thanks guys ill make sure to do everything right the first time around. The people that owned my boat before me did everything on the cheap and that works ok for a while but in the end it comes back to bite you (me) on the arse!