Wiring 2nd battery for stereo

[The Squeaky Wheel]

I'm adding 2 amps and some speakers to the boat.

I have an extra deep cycle battery and was thinking of using it for a 2nd power source.

- Will this type of battery work, or do I need to purchase a different type of battery?
- What's the best "switch" for power selection. Ease of use is priority 1. I've read some comments that the perko manual switches can be a PITA.

thanks

[The Squeaky Wheel]

would something like this be preferable to a perko?

http://bluesea.com/products/7650

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?i=76619&pdesc=Blue_Sea_Systems_Add_Bat tery_Dual_Circuit_System

[sandm]

that would be a nice system to have if you have the $$ to spend on it. I woudn't hesitate to put that in my boat :)

one note on adding another battery. I am sure that there will be those that will say differently, but both the shops that I have gotten batteries from will say that if you have a dual battery setup, always replace in pairs with like batteries. if they are combined together, the stronger battery will take on the charging characteristics of the weaker battery.

[EarmarkMarine]

IMO, the best of the automatic combiner/separators, ACRs or VSRs would be the SurePower 200 amp solenoid. It better fits our stereo/boating applications. You would supplement it with an isolation switch specifically if you add an AC shore charger, otherwise a manual switch is not necessary.

What Sandm stated is absolutely true when two batteries are placed on the same bank. However, identical batteries on separate banks are used very differently and will as a result age with different characteristics in a short time anyway. Its one of those unavoidable contradictions. When it comes to stereos and charging systems there is no perfect scenerio. We just select the best option for our particular situation and usage thereby minimizing the flaws. But, with symmetrical banks and batteries, using all deep cycle, you can reverse their functions each weekend (with a manual switch only scheme) or physically rotate the battery positions several times a season (when using an ACR, VSR, etc) to extend the batteries' longevity.

David
Earmark Marine

[cab13367]

would something like this be preferable to a perko?

http://bluesea.com/products/7650

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?i=76619&pdesc=Blue_Sea_Systems_Add_Bat tery_Dual_Circuit_System

Definitely. I have the Blue Sea Add a Battery and a ProMariner ProSport 20 on board charger so my batteries are always ready to go and are being properly recharged after each use to ensure maximum performance and battery longevity. I keep the Blue Sea switch in the On position all day, and when I get home, I open the resettable breaker from the ACR to each battery to defeat the ACR and plug in the ProSport charger and leave it plugged in til I am ready to go again. I've never had any battery issues since going to this set up and am able to sit and listen to the stereo for hours at a time.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg276/cab13367/IMG_8257.jpg

[The Squeaky Wheel]

Slick setup.

is there any type of battery charger that doesn't require plug-in to AC? Maybe something that charges off the alternator then disperses the charge to the batteries?

[EarmarkMarine]

Only solar. With a conditioning module they're not a bad option for long term storage. Although it may be just as easy to pull the batteries out over the winter and use a small tender inside. Overnight or in the very short term there is zero benefit. Most use a full strength charger that desulphates particularly when using flooded batteries. That requires AC access in storage. But any charger is better than none.

David
Earmark Marine