Dual Battery setups Pros and Cons

[jmvotto]

I have option 1.

set it to switch one and forget it.

my .02

[Razzman]

I use the Blue Sea Systems 7650 ACR/switch and wouldn't have anything else, especially since i can combine in an instant if necessary. Imo any setup that requires manually switching between batts or moving cables is a con.

[zabooda]

Remember, you need to keep relays and switches away from confined areas where hydrogen gas or gas fumes can accumilate unless the relay or switch is designed for a hazardous environment due to the spark potential.

[brain_rinse]

I have option 1.

set it to switch one and forget it.

my .02

Yep, same here

[radryan]

Got it. Thanks for the replies!

I was wondering about the switches in all setups. Do they do more than combine both batteries in an emergency?

Also the stereo and accessory load being split to the second battery any cons to that? Must be some reason they don't do that as the factory supported option?

[Razzman]

The switches are for the batts only and only engage the batts. the proper way to do it is start load on batt 1 and stereo/acc on batt2, that way you don't drain your starting battery playing tunes.

[NCSUmoomba]

First, I don't think there are any cons to a dual battery setup. My boat didn't come with one from the factory, so I added one. I went with option 3 (the blue sea add-a-battery system). I think it is great. I have one marine starting battery powering all the engine stuff, and I have a second marine deep cycle "house" battery to run just the stereo. This system also does not need to be switched back and forth, you just turn it to on and go. The relay handles the load distribution and the charging. So i just turn it on and forget it too. I use turnthe switch off every time we get done using the boat just as a precaution I guess. I am also sure that the stereo is totally off and not drawing juice while the boat is sitting. The only bummer is the memory, but I just need to swap the memory power wire and run it straight to the battery.

[DOCDRS]

I actually looked in the manuals, where is this factory supported option 1. In all manuals back to 2006 the hook up is as in option 2.

[radryan]

Your right! The Moomba manual shows option 2. I was got option one straight from BEP's documentation of the cluster VSR/Switch. So Moomba factory supports option 2(I updated the original post).

So I am getting that if you are cheap you could cut out the switch in any setup and you would be losing the ability to combine the batteries with the switch(you would have to move a wire form the positive of one battery and connect it to the other manually).

[DOCDRS]

Your right! The Moomba manual shows option 2. I was got option one straight from BEP's documentation of the cluster VSR/Switch. So Moomba factory supports option 2(I updated the original post).

So I am getting that if you are cheap you could cut out the switch in any setup and you would be losing the ability to combine the batteries with the switch(you would have to move a wire form the positive of one battery and connect it to the other manually).

It would seem you could do that, and spend that money in a battery float charger to put on your second battery when your not using the boat. they are only about $30 but then it looks like the switch is only about $35. the bep is dual sensing now so i would get this one as it will also charge both batteries with an external charger. not sure if the blue sea is dual sensing