Dual battery set-up?

[cooky]

Is setting up a dual battery set-up easy? what do I need? and how is it wired up?

I have a second battery mount position available in boat. Don't want too complicated, just for safety as a battery to start motor off if the main goes flat.

[DAVE_S]

cooky your best bet is to go to a boat chandlery store and buy a battery isoltating switch for 1 and 2 batterys should have wiring diagram and buy some extra battery cables dave

[familyman]

Easy-the main positive lead from the original battery goes to the common terminal on the switch,the positive leads from each battery go to batt 1 and batt 2 terminals and the original negative lead goes to either negative battery terminal with a link to the other negative terminal :)
cheers jon

ps there was a post about this with some diagrams about 3 months ago so go back and have a search,sorry not up to putting up links yet ???

[troy]

COOKY
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SET UP DUAL BATTERYS IN THE 2 FOOT CHOP WE GET IN THE NORTH.
MUCH SAFER AND MORE INTERESTING TO GO ON SURVIVOR PALUA
I JUST THING I MADE AN ERROR WITH THAT LAST WORD.
seriously cooky i am getting mine set up next week and i will get in touch with you
troy

[Cheech]

Cooky,

Go to Heath's (ausfish member) website. He has the instructions and diagrams you need.

He has a link if you find one of his posts.

[Spaniard_King]

here it is

http://www.users.bigpond.com/heathntracy/

Garry

[polydriver]

You can buy a battery isolator from battery world or a car accessories place. You leave the original cables in place and just run a cable from pos terminal of first battery to pos terminal of new battery and then use a common earth. The second battery is charged from the alternator but will not drain back into main battery if it goes flat. Connect all accessories to second battery to conserve main battery for starting only.

If you have a GPS turn it off when at anchor/motor not running as they chew the power.

[cooky]

You can buy a battery isolator from battery world or a car accessories place. You leave the original cables in place and just run a cable from pos terminal of first battery to pos terminal of new battery and then use a common earth. The second battery is charged from the alternator but will not drain back into main battery if it goes flat. Connect all accessories to second battery to conserve main battery for starting only.

If you have a GPS turn it off when at anchor/motor not running as they chew the power

thanks all for your help - I'm not keen on connecting accessories to second battery (too lazy) - I really just want as back-up in case I flatten the main. Anyone got any suggestions on best battery for secondary?

[familyman]

Cooky I have over nighted a couple of times and switch to the second battery at anchor for lighting and accessories .That way it can go flat and you still have a fully charged battery for the morning or whenever.Choice of battery for back up is easy - one you can afford, seriously I got one from big w for $55 and it hasnt let me down yet. ;)
The main battery I would get the best you can afford.
cheers jon

[ribbit]

Easy solution cooky. Buy a Jumpstarter pack. You can charge from car or boat cig lighter as well as 240v. Carry it with you and you can run lights at night off it and you can also jumstart the boat and your car when you get back to the ramp and find you left the boody lights on again( Or if like me your mate does when he parks my car!!!)
cheap ones 60.00 to 100.00. quality unit is the projecta brand 100 to 200
I own an auto shop and I carry one.
Peter