Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

I added a second battery and copied Bob's set-up. Works well and don't have to worry about running out of starting juice.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=13546

I like overkill, I run 3. No trolling motor either.

I run 2 through a Perko switch connected to the engine system.

The third is for the stereo amp and is isolated. At home I charge with an on-board charger.
If need on long days I can charge while underway. I have a relay setup, the key must be on and a manual switch must be on before it will charge.

This is really overkill, but we do overnights sometimes and I just like piece of mind.

Wow!

I have 2 group 34 optima's without a switch. One for engine one for accessories. Charge them with dual bank on board charger when I get home. Never have a problem. The closest I ever got to draining the accessory battery was on labor day weekend 3 full days out with radio running all day, the battery was at 25% when we got home.
I bought the wiring harness from pontoon stuff for the accessories when I rebuilt it. That thing made it so much easier. Pulled every wire off the boat during demo then ran that on the rebuild. Gotta love pontoon stuff.

We factory ordered ours with the Dual Battery set up AND Switch. We also ordered the built in battery charger.

I usually run the boat on one battery, then next time I start up, I run it on the other battery. That includes if we stop during the day somewhere, if I remember, I'll go and switch it over to the other battery. If I don't remember, or care, I at least use the other battery the next time out.

I like having the built in battery charger too. I can just run the cord from an access point on the exterior of the boat, if it is all covered up, or lift the rear seat cushion and run the extension cord from there to our dock power for charging.

If I'm on our lift and hanging out on the boat cleaning, or just chillin with the music going, I'll plug it in to keep it charged up. VERY handy setup.

I see that this an older post, but this a subject near and dear to me. NEVER run out of battery power unless you only run really close to your dock!

My little 55 lb. Minkota will pull me along at 2.0 MPH in calm weather. Because I have grandkids aboard often, I installed enough battery power to give me six hours of trolling motor. Call it 1 MPH under "average" conditions, so I don't need to call for help within 4-6 miles of my dock.

Many of my neighbors here on the lake simply buy a very small "extra" battery and stow it for emergency use. Today's motors don't need a whole lot of cranking power. You might be amazed at how small of a battery will start a 75hp to 115HP modern 4 stroke at 75 degrees and warmer!

Last year I pulled my 2nd battery to save weight. Never had an issue but the idea of trying to get home using a canoe paddle isn't very appealing so this year it went back in.

I have a Perko 1/2 switch and (hopefully) #2 will never be needed. My question is this: If a marine starting battery is fully charged at the beginning of the season, will it lose any charge just sitting there?

I've got a pair of Optima blue tops with a Perko 1, 2, 1+2 switch. I charge both up at the beginning of the season and then swap either 1 or 2 every few days if I remember. I don't use much in the way of accessories except a smartphone with Navionics always running. If the kids come the radio will be working most of the day whether docked, anchored or under way. I let them enjoy their time. Too many other things to be worried about.

I don't expect to get caught with not enough juice to run.

guy48065 wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 13, 2018 6:58 am

Last year I pulled my 2nd battery to save weight. Never had an issue but the idea of trying to get home using a canoe paddle isn't very appealing so this year it went back in.

I have a Perko 1/2 switch and (hopefully) #2 will never be needed. My question is this: If a marine starting battery is fully charged at the beginning of the season, will it lose any charge just sitting there?

A good quality flooded battery will lose around 8% to 10% per month during hot weather. Less when it's cool.
AGM's and Gels' have a self discharge rate of 1%-3% per month depending upon temperature.

So, yes a Marine Starting battery will lose some stored energy, but you may not even notice during the first few months because it still starts your motor.

Remember that battery sulfation begins to occur at a charge level of around 80%, and increases as the state of charge goes lower.

The first thing I did is to add a perko switch, 2nd battery, and automatic charging relay. Can't imagine being several miles down river late in the afternoon and not having a backup.

I have a dual battery system. Used the Blue Seas Add-a-Battery setup when first installed.

I'm still lurking and researching for buying my first boat. I work on Uninterruptible Power Supplies and can get free used deep cycle batteries. I'll have a switched 2 battery setup. I'm replacing 240 batteries tomorrow. (about 150Amp-hours) One of them has a buddy's name on it for his boat.

I've been running two for years. See the link in my sig.
I can't imagine why anybody wouldn't.

BobG wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 30, 2018 3:20 pm

I've been running two for years. See the link in my sig.
I can't imagine why anybody wouldn't.

That answers a lot of my questions. Thank you.

I had one on my last boat. I'll be installing a Blue Sea 9001 switch on my boat very soon.