Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Just wondering who is running a dual battery setup?
Did it come with your boat ir did you add it?

Not me. I have too many other toys requiring batteries.

My boat doesn't have a trolling motor or power booster on the radio.

A car battery may last me 8-10 years. Deep discharge batteries have a shorter lifespan and are more expensive.

My last Manitou had it, I added it to the first Manny and my Premier. Had it on my Baja's and added it to a few previous runabouts. We took lots of long trips and overnight cruises, so I wouldn't trust just running a single battery.

I run 2. 1 for engine only, 1 for accessories. No switch though just directly wired. I unhook them after every trip.

I had the option to order dual batteries and I did. With so much digital on my engine and throttles and my penchant for adding electronics, I figured I'd include duals sooner rather than later. Twin AGM, $$$ whew! You might want to add a voltage guage while you're at it.

Could be worse though. My old center console ran 3 batteries. So, in truth, I downsized!

[quote="curtiscapk"]I run 2. 1 for engine only, 1 for accessories. No switch though just directly wired. I unhook them after every trip.[/quote]

Curious if you don't have a switch; how can one be isolated just for the engine, and one for accessories? Or are you not using the engine's charging system to charge your "accessory" battery?

using a maintainer once we get back to the lots. Radio and raft pump doesn't use that much juice.... They both finally died after 8 years..... Replaced starting battery last season need accessory this year.

Mine only had one so I added another. Put a switch in and I rotate each trip. Battery tender when home. Had a battery die on a past boat and won't go that route again. Ever tried to push-start a pontoon?? It ain't easy!!!!

I have a dual battery setup with a Perco master switch.

The pontoon boat came rigged that way, though I don’t think it really needs it (60 HP FS Mercury outboard).

My airboat is rigged similarly, and it does need it (Edelbrock 454 CID 425 HP V8).

It all depends on how much work the electrical system has to do.

Putting a Perko switch and a second battery in is high on my priority list.

i also run 2 without a switch. I use a dual bank charger also.

I have a two battery set up with a switch. To me it is for the piece of mind. I have been on the water in the past and had the battery about dead from running a radio, fish finder and live bait tank. Nothing worse then go to crank up and nothing there. Also have a two bank charger. Like someone else said it’s hard to push a toon. It’s also cheaper then calling sea tow.

I'm about to add a second battery soon. I've rounded up most of the parts, just need the motivation to get it done.

Twin AGMs with a 1, 2, 1+2 switch. Had the dealer include it when I bought the boat last fall. Didn't see a downside.

Mine came from the previous owner with a Perko & 2 deep-cycle batteries. I removed one to save a little weight. Starboard side (dock side) had the console, me, 2 batteries + the fuel tank as extra weight. I'm rarely out for long & most of the time don't even use the radio.

I am considering a lithium battery for #2 just to have some kind of backup.