second battery needed?

[Jake202]

Ok, so this is probably a dumb question and im pretty sure i know the answer, but being a newbi to pontoon boats I have to ask. My bennington has spots for 2 batteries. The first one of course runs the motor. The second spot has wires ran to it, but the guy didn't have a second battery. While crusing on the 4th I found that the radio didn't work, and then got to messin with the lights and saw that they too did not work. He assured me when i purchased the boat that everything ran/worked excellent. Could the wiring that is ran to the second battery spot be for the lights and radio? I don't think i have a wiring problem seeing that all the wires look new.

[margaritaman]

Hook up the lines to the first battery and if the lights work then you know what the second battery is for. The second battery is for your accessories so you do not drain the main battery.

[Bamaman]

I'm picking up a new Bennington 24' SSLX tomorrow (Saturday, 7/7.)

Thanks for reminding me to check all the lights, radio, etc. before leaving the dealership.

I agree with above. You should be able to put the unused wires on the battery in place. Funny that they'd have a place for a second battery with only one installed.

[Jake202]

I love my Bennington. It was an older couple that had it and they hardly ever took it out or used electronics on it so I figure that's why they didnt have the extra battery.

[belercous]

Jake: On my boat the second battery is wired in parallel with the primary battery, it just gives more current for longer. It lets you have full power for longer between charges since your engine likely cannot run everything on the ship. I'd add a second (deep cycle) battery if I were you. It can't hurt. Make certain that the second battery is ran in parallel, not series.

My boat's got 2 main batteries which usually do just fine for 8-9 hrs if I don't run the fridge on dc. If I run the fridge on dc sometimes the stereo will cut out when cranked later in the day & the depth finder will get funny. Charging overnight on shore power has me good to go the next day.

It may not be an option for you, but if you have an onboard generator you can recharge your batteries on the water. Just remember to flip the switch from shore to generator power.

[ROLAND]

Jake... I've got a bennington 20 sfi... it has one battery and like you said, a place for a second battery. We only run one battery at present on our boat... that battery obviously is used for cranking the motor, stereo, lights etc..... the place for the second battery is up front on our boat and it's pre wired to a plug that could be used for a trolling motor, which we don't have so need for a 2nd battery. Having said that, when we use our boat it's usually to sit and fish for several hours and I always take a long a c crane radio radio to listen to music.. that way I don't take a chance on running down my "cranking" battery running the stereo.... I think If I were going to sit for hours and listen to my boat stereo while fishing I would probably go with a second battery for all my accessories and use my first battery as a cranking battery only.

[Jake202]

I have an extra deep cycle battery I'm taking with me today. Both battery spots are close together in the back. I will check all of it out today. Thanks for all the imput