Is Dual Battery Worth it?

[hostage]

I don't know if my battery is at it's last leg or if I need to give it a nice long charge, but I have been having issues it seems. I had to get jumped a second time this season at the dock. I have a 19' Cuddy w/ a 4.3L V6. The battery is stored on the port side and on the starboard sized is the bilge pump, I don't know if I have a great place to store it if I got a second battery. It is not like we listen to the radio with the engine off. Is there any drain that I should know about, should I disconnect the battery when I am done? (I have it dry slip)

Thanks,

Hostage

 

[EricJRW]

Re: Is Dual Battery Worth it?

Do you have access to AC power in the dry slip? Maybe you should consider putting the battery on a trickle charger? If you don't have AC, but access to the sun, solar might be an option too.

I guess the other questions are how old is the battery and how often do you use the boat?

Does not seem like you would need dual battery, unless you also have a trolling motor or other high-draw devices.

 

[JimJam]

Re: Is Dual Battery Worth it?

Don't know what year your cuddy is but on the Bayliner 2009 model (and presumably others) there is room for a second battery behind the starboard aft seat back. Check your supplemental manual. IMO it's worth it if you use it once and if not, just for peace of mind.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Is Dual Battery Worth it?

I also think it is worth it just for that time when your 20 miles offshore and the battery is dead.
Actually in over 50 years of boating it has never happened to me but it still a good feeling to know when your drifting offshore for 6 hour fishing with all the electronics on all day that it not draining your starting battery.

Do not get a trickle charger as most are not regulated and will over charge the battery if you do not watch it closely.

Important to know that all batteries self discharge between trips.
In higher temperatures they discharge faster.
Batteries need charged once a month in hot weather and every couple of month is cold weather.
You can stretch both some.

As far as charger go get a automatic or smart charger. I suggest at least 10 amps.
For maintaining a charge between trips a float charger or battery maintainer will not harm the batteries.
Most trickle chargers have no regulation and will damage the battery if left on between trips.

 

[mikesea]

Re: Is Dual Battery Worth it?

A second battery is always an asset.Especially if you have the room.Alot depends too on your boating type.If your basically a cruiser type person,like ,get the family,ride around,maybe anchor up and swim ,Listen to the radio.You will b OK with 1 battery.Its not a bad idea to have one of those portable charge units ,just in case ,and put it on board when you leave.Now,if your a fisherman,depth sounders,GPS,music,,bait pump etc.You need 2.Another point,if your battery is a couple yrs.old.id change it.What happens is they start to put a resistance against your alternator ,and you can blow it .It is a good idea in acar as well.Many times ,alternators go bad ,due to a bad battery.Inboard ,outboard,car truck,have a good battery.

 

[joed]

Re: Is Dual Battery Worth it?

Take the battery out. Charge is fully and then take to someone who can do a load test on it. That will tell you if it is still good. You don't say how old it is. If it is 5 years old then it has likely lost a lot of its capacity.
You marina should be able to do a load test. If not maybe one of the auto stores like Pep Boys, NAPA etc probably can do it.

 

[PolishPrince]

Re: Is Dual Battery Worth it?

If you have the room for a second battery, my vote is a resounding Yes I put in a second battery with a battery switch and an ACR (Automatic Connecting Relay) and it paid for itself more than once in the past few years. I'd sooner carry a second battery than a 20 ft. pair of jumper cables. You don't need a heavy battery drain to kill a battery. Just keeping the memory portion of a radio energized will drain a battery in a couple of months. During long periods in dry dock keep a "float charger" on your battery, not a trickle charger. A float charger senses the state of the battery charge and turns itself on and off as needed. A trickle charger runs 24/7 and over time will shorten the life of your battery.

 

[MLD]

Re: Is Dual Battery Worth it?

have you checked your battery fluid levels? it might just be low if it's not a sealed battery.

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: Is Dual Battery Worth it?

Jump box is a good alternative to cabling, switches etc which should be installed as part of a dual battery setup.

If your just looking for piece of mind get a good high output jump box. Then you can use it onthe cars too!

Cheers!

 

[Boss Hawg]

Re: Is Dual Battery Worth it?

A simple YES from me
I have a starting battery - Acessary battery & a "just in case" battery all on a Minn Kota on board charger- You can never have too much battery power out on the water

Boatist Re: Is Dual Battery Worth it?


I also think it is worth it just for that time when your 20 miles offshore and the battery is dead.

 

[Jess13]

Re: Is Dual Battery Worth it?

Most trickel chargers are regulated to shut off when the battery reaches nominal voltage 'dependant on the charger' I prefer to use a battery minder when I must especially during winter months.

A second battery is a good idea especially if your having problems with your charging system. have you checked your alternator voltage or magneto?

At least with 2 batteries if one is dead you can swap them and get back to shore!