Battery question

[lakeerieboater26]

whats the best way to hook up 2 batteries ?

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Battery question

Use battery cables. Exactly how you hook them up depends on how you are going to use them. 12 or 24 volts.

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Battery question

Are they gay or straight?

 

[seabob4]

Re: Battery question

So one battery goes into a bar, sits down, orders a drink. Sees another battery at the end of the bar, gets up, walks over, says, "Hey, you wanna "hook up"?...

A little specifics would help here...

 

[glennwolf]

Re: Battery question

The best way is to get a switch set up to recieve 2 bateries. It will have positions 1, 2, and both. Your original cables will go to the switch output and you will need buy or make cables to input from the batteries to the switch. This allows you to run one battery at a time and have a backup or parrallel them together.

 

[lakeerieboater26]

Re: Battery question

Straight Batteries ! LOL. whats the deal with hooking them up for 12 or 24 volts? I dont run a trolling motor. just stereo.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Battery question

Some terminology corrections here. The batteries do not go to the switch "outlet". The only outlet on the switch is the COM (common) terminal and do not confuse that terminal with Ground (as in common ground) because they are not the same. The batteries are connected to the BAT 1 and BAT 2 terminals. Where you have the switch set determines whether BAT 1, BAT 2 or BOTH feed the COM terminal. Here is a diagram. All of the accessories except an automatic bilge pump would typically get connected to the COM terminal as well.

If you are talking about a 24 volt system, then they are connected like this! You can feed 12 volt accessories from this system if you wish. Otherwise eliminate those wires.

 

[rexmitchell]

Re: Battery question

Some terminology corrections here. The batteries do not go to the switch "outlet". The only outlet on the switch is the COM (common) terminal and do not confuse that terminal with Ground (as in common ground) because they are not the same. The batteries are connected to the BAT 1 and BAT 2 terminals. Where you have the switch set determines whether BAT 1, BAT 2 or BOTH feed the COM terminal. Here is a diagram. All of the accessories except an automatic bilge pump would typically get connected to the COM terminal as well.

If you are talking about a 24 volt system, then they are connected like this! You can feed 12 volt accessories from this system if you wish. Otherwise eliminate those wires.

I am interested in the first wiring diagram pictured. I am trying to rig up a deep cycle that will charge in-line with my cranking battery that is connected to a switch like the one pictured. I want to be able to run my stereo off my deep cycle. This is what I would need to do right? Another question, to have both batteries charging, I would need to have the switch to the "both" position while driving right? I am going to run this off a 5.7L 350 mercruiser.

 

[stylesabu]

Re: Battery question

correct, you could even install a second alternator if space allows.

 

[rexmitchell]

Re: Battery question

correct, you could even install a second alternator if space allows.

Is that at all necessary? If the deep cycle drains, how long will it take to re-charge at cruising speed?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Battery question

Adding a second alternator is NOT an option IF the intent is to parallel the two systems. You then have voltage regulators fighting for control of the system. If you want one alternator for the house side of the system and another for the starting system then fine but in this application "way over the top". The engine alternator on an I/O will be in the 50 amp minimum range and will provide a fair boost to the troller battery and as such can prolong on the water tiime. You can also use a VSR (voltage sensitive relay) in place of the switch. It charges the starting battery first then switches to the house/troller battery. No switching necessary. But the switch is far more versatile. Without going into a long discussion on how to use the switch, it is as simple as this: Whatever switch you have selected is what powers everything and it also determines which battery is being charged. With a switch you DO NOT connect accessories to the battery. You connect them to the COM terminal on the switch. When you are stopped and want to run accessories, switch to BAT 2 (house or troller). Simple as that. When you want to go again, switch to BAT 1 starting because it is the battery you are trying to protect. Folks need to think about WHY they NEED a switch rather than just seeing someone else with one and thinking they need one also.

 

[rexmitchell]

Re: Battery question

Adding a second alternator is NOT an option IF the intent is to parallel the two systems. You then have voltage regulators fighting for control of the system. If you want one alternator for the house side of the system and another for the starting system then fine but in this application "way over the top". The engine alternator on an I/O will be in the 50 amp minimum range and will provide a fair boost to the troller battery and as such can prolong on the water tiime. You can also use a VSR (voltage sensitive relay) in place of the switch. It charges the starting battery first then switches to the house/troller battery. No switching necessary. But the switch is far more versatile. Without going into a long discussion on how to use the switch, it is as simple as this: Whatever switch you have selected is what powers everything and it also determines which battery is being charged. With a switch you DO NOT connect accessories to the battery. You connect them to the COM terminal on the switch. When you are stopped and want to run accessories, switch to BAT 2 (house or troller). Simple as that. When you want to go again, switch to BAT 1 starting because it is the battery you are trying to protect. Folks need to think about WHY they NEED a switch rather than just seeing someone else with one and thinking they need one also.

I strictly want to be able to run my stereo on the deep cycle when not cruising. I am worried I will drain my cranking battery otherwise, that is why I would like the switch, so I can not drain the cranking battery when not moving. When you say I need to hook the accessories up to the COM terminal, do I need to do something different with my power wire for my amps?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Battery question

More confusion about what a switch does for you. You said you want to power the amp from the deep cycle/troller battery. Well, if the troller battery is connected to the BAT 2 terminal on the switch, set the switch to BAT 2. Simple as that. Your stereo will be powered from that battery. Under way it doesn't make a bit of difference which battery (or both if you like) power everything -- including the stereo.

 

[Don S]

Re: Battery question

If you want to charge both batteries while the engine is running, and use your deepcycle (house battery) for the stereo and lights and any other accessories, and your starting battery for starting your engine and running it. Without turning the switch from one battery to the next all the time, get a charge relay and a dual circuit battery switch.
Just turn the swich on, it does everything else by itself.

http://bluesea.com/category/2/productline/overview/329

http://bluesea.com/files/images/products/7650.jpg

 

[rexmitchell]

Re: Battery question

If you want to charge both batteries while the engine is running, and use your deepcycle (house battery) for the stereo and lights and any other accessories, and your starting battery for starting your engine and running it. Without turning the switch from one battery to the next all the time, get a charge relay and a dual circuit battery switch.
Just turn the swich on, it does everything else by itself.

http://bluesea.com/category/2/productline/overview/329

http://bluesea.com/files/images/products/7650.jpg

Thanks Don, I will look into this.