New sound system

[bcollier9253]

I am installing a complete new system in my 93 Wellcraft 232 Eclipse. The system will consist of a Fusion 700i Head Unit, 4)JL Audio M650's(150W) max, 2)JL 10" subs in a bandpass box, all powered by a JL 700/5 Amp. Question is.. Do I need to run a second battery or just a capacitor? And if I do need a second battery do I connect it to the alternator in order to keep it charged?

 

[h2odick]

Re: New sound system

If you plan on running your stereo for extended periods with the engine off, you will need a second battery. I wouldn't worry about the capacitor, you don't have that much amp. Yes, you need to hook it up to the alternator to be charged. I would get a battery isolation switch that allows you to switch to the second battery when you wanna play tunes with the engine off. That way you always have #1 battery as a starting battery, and you can always get back home even if you run down your second battery.

:welcome: to iBoats!

 

[hivoltg]

Re: New sound system

If you go dual battery (I recommend it) then get a dual battery isolator for the alternator side of the boat. Remove the alternator charging wire from the + side. Install the isolator to the alternator, then to both + batteries. Then your alternator will charge both batteries. Makes for a nice clean still isolated setup of boat and radio.

 

[bcollier9253]

Re: New sound system

With so many switches and isolators out there I'm confused on which one to get. I seen the add-a-battery with the acr or whatever it's called, if seen just the plain ole 1, 2, 1&2, off kind. Which one do I need

 

[K9Deuce]

Re: New sound system

I went with the blue seas add a battery ( switch and acr). The acr does all the charging,switch etc.. And it takes all the guess work out of operating a dual battery system. Now I turn off the switch when the boats not in use as in sitting on the trailer ( so no power is running anywhere ) then turn the switch on when its in the water. I may sit for hours with the radio on , or drive for long periods of time but the acr takes care of everything versus just a 2 battery switch where you have to keep track of which battery you charge etc. Here is a photo of my install..
On my install I added a second board wrapped in a rubber matting this way I only had four screw holes in the engine compartment versus about 16.. I also used circuit breakers for each of the two battery's versus fuses, and I utilized a negative bus bar to keep everything nice and organized. All of that along with tinned wiring can add up fast.
Blue seas has the install guides listed on the web site if you want to check into it further.

 

[hivoltg]

Re: New sound system

Nice clean setup K9Deuce. That acr he has is waterproof too.

I recommend a marine grade isolator like the one mentioned above or a nice heatsinked model that's coated for corrosion prevention.

The battery switch recommendation depends on what you are doing with your boat. If you are just lake cruising it doesn't matter as much as going offshore. If a battery dies on the lake switch cables and start the boat. A simple cheap cutoff switch works fine.
Offshore with swells flooding a boat and a motor not starting isn't fun (been there before). Being able to switch batteries or use both to start the boat immediately is really needed. Use one pictured above.