batteries and switches

[EBEACH]

Should I put in 1 or 2 batteries for my 20’ sceptre? I would really like to only have one, but would like your opinions as to why a may need two, or is one really enough.

Secondly, Do I need a battery shut off switch? Is this just a safety device if something goes wrong like an electrical fire, or does it isolate stray currents or what ever when not in use? The boat will be on a mooring.

Thanks.

[Mark]

A second battery sure helps to start the engine when one is dead.

SOME electronics drain minute amounts of current when not in use (electronic clocks, some GPS memory cards, etc).

Redundancy is a good thing with batteries, bilge pumps, communication methods, and a host of other things on boats...

[Finster]

Jim, I am a fan of two batteries. It's not much fun when your out at night and you realize your altinator doesn't work and your about to get sucked into the breakers, you can't seem'em but you sure can hear'em when you get about ten yards away.
I'll never forget that night. The three of us on board all had the same blank look of "OH SHIT" when I turned the key and nothing happened, then smiles when I switched batteries (quickly) and she turned over.

[barnacle]

I would go with two batterys. If you do go with one I would go with a dual purpose battery. This is a cranking and deep cycle battery all in one. A battery switch is nice due to if you leave something one it will be turned off when you turn the switch off. Be sure you wire it so you float switch stays hot all the time. THe best way to go is have two batterys. One a cranking battery for the engine the second a deep cycle for all equipment. In a 20ft boat two batterys is overkill but its well worth the first time you need it.

[Mark]

"..In a 20ft boat two batterys is overkill..."

I don't see where length of boat has much to do with it. I have just as much in the way of electronics on an 18' as many people with a 28'. There have been many occasions when the second battery was a welcome addition. A given electrical instrument will drain the same amount of juice from a battery whether it is mounted in a rowboat or in a 65ft sportfisher.

I like being able to listen to the stereo with just one battery feeding into the system knowing that if it gets low the second battery will fire up the engine and get me home. Overcautious? maybe, but the music sounds better that way.

[Jon G]

Ebeach go for two, I have two dual purpose and a good swtich between them. I run one one trip and the other the next, back and forth so they get equal use and have a good charge on them. nice to have and not a huge cost to get done [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[ScottM]

Just bought a couple of those Optima batteries. Any of you guys used them before?

[EBEACH]

OK, two batteries it is! Not a problem with the cost, more of a concern with weight and space. That will take care of the switch question too.

Gold or copper wire? Let me guess, gold. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

But seriously, does marine grade really mean much? Can't I just go to the electronics store and get wire? I'm also thinking toggle switches with rubber boots. Comments?

[barnacle]

Optima batterys can not take the charging system of a outboard. Its ok for sterndrive and inboard use. There is normally more items on a 28ft vrs a 2ft. There a normally 3 large pumps, cabin lights some have a fridge that runs off of 12 volts along with all kinds of water system pumps. Thats the reason why I said for a 20 its overkill. I have a 20 cc and am running two batteries just to play safe.

[Honey Hole]

The battery box in my 20CC won't hold 2 batteries. I've got one dual purpose battery that's used, and a fully charged "back up" in the console. As for a switch, IMHO it's another point of failure (corrosion). I use the "quick connect" battery cable terminations versus the wing nuts.

[ May 28, 2003, 08:41 AM: Message edited by: Honey Hole ]