Need to add a second battery. What should I buy?

[tynash@yahoo.com]

Hello all. I am new to this site. I can't wait for the weather to warm up. I'm itching to get out on the water and have some fun. I have a stereo project planned for my pontoon. So far I have a 5 channel Rockford Fosgate Punch marine amp, 4 coax Alpines 6.5's, 10 inch subwoofer and a Pioneer head unit. I know I need to add a second battery but I don't know what to buy. Is a standard Interstate Marine Deep Cycle battery okay or should I get a blue top Optima? What about these glass mat batteries. I will likely buy the Blue Sea Systems ACR isolator. Any advice on the actual battery anyone can offer would be awesome. I only want to do this once and want to make the right decision the first time. Thank you to all who respond!

[grouser]

Welcome from the State of Jefferson,,,,, we usually like to see an introduction post for the first time ,,,,,and pics really go a long way here,,, if ya tell us more about what your gonna do with that bote it might make helping you easier,,, like fishing or just parked in a cove listening to tunes,,,

[tynash@yahoo.com]

We will be skiing, tubing, sitting listening to music and just chillin'. Need some good tunes for cruising the coves.

[killerkernrich]

I would buy only sealed no refilling needed esp. if they are in a tight hard place to reach.

[tms0425]

I have 2 of these Platinum Group 31's, made by Odyssey batteries, along with the Blue Sea ACR. Works great. I just waited for a good sale, which is fairly often.

http://www.sears.com/diehard-platinum-m ... 850131000P

[babock]

I have 2 of these Platinum Group 31's, made by Odyssey batteries, along with the Blue Sea ACR. Works great. I just waited for a good sale, which is fairly often.

http://www.sears.com/diehard-platinum-m ... 850131000P

Agree on the AGM Diehards if you are going the AGM route. I would not get the Optima batteries anymore since they aren't as good as they used to be. I have 2 of the Platinum Diehards in my Cuddy cabin boat but regular flooded lead acid in my pontoon.

I have the Blue Sea ACRs in both of my boats.

[TRSportToon]

Make sure your charger is compatible with the AGM. Most are, but. Also, most bass boat owners use the old fashion wet cell batteries for starting and running electronics, aerators, etc. and AGM's on their trolling motors only.

[tynash@yahoo.com]

Thank you everyone for all the replies. This is all new to me. Do I need to have a charger that gets plugged in on a daily or as needed basis? Is it too much to expect to have the alternator keep both charged? I assume that might not work. I am looking to you all with experience for advice. I appreciate anything you can offer. Thank you.

[tms0425]

Thank you everyone for all the replies. This is all new to me. Do I need to have a charger that gets plugged in on a daily or as needed basis? Is it too much to expect to have the alternator keep both charged? I assume that might not work. I am looking to you all with experience for advice. I appreciate anything you can offer. Thank you.

The ACR will take care of charging both batteries transparently, but you still have to run the motor enough if you've drained one at the sandbar.

[RobZ71LM7]

I like Samsclub Duracell AGM's. $119 for a group 34 and $179 for a group 31. I have one of each on my pontoon. They are made by Deka which is a great AGM manufacturer. The Diehards AGM's are great too as they are a rebadged Odyssey.

[Mosnowman]

I have two of these.....Sears Platinum AGM



http://www.sears.com/diehard-platinum-m ... 850134000P

[tynash@yahoo.com]

Thank you everyone for all the replies. I like the pricing of the AGM from Sams. So the group size is all about the amount of time the battery will last while under a load. So buy the biggest battery with the most capacity that i can afford. Right? Thank you all again.

[tynash@yahoo.com]

Sam Club definately has the best deals on these batteries by far. I just scoured the internet and they are much less than anywhere else. Thank you for the tips. Can't wait for summer to show up so I can get my new system installed.

[grouser]

Actually,,,
and please correct me if I'm wrong,,,
but group size has to do with the physical SIZE/SHAPE of the battery,,,, LxWxH. You can have a large sized battery with smaller/shorter reserve time then a physically smaller battery . Go for the RIGHT SIZED battery for your application (one that will fit in the holder or spot it goes in) and then get one that has the most reserve time that you can afford,,,

[tynash@yahoo.com]

That makes sense. Thank you for the clarification.