Batteries

[Ultra_Stealth]

How often should you change/replace your batteries?

[TooMuchFun]

Only when they go bad ... I've had some last for years and some only a couple seasons.

If you check them with a charger and they always need a charge, if they lose water regularly, if deposits are growing all around the top, then the battery may be going on you.

If you replace, I would go with the self contained batteries ... I put two on my boat 3 seasons ago and they're working like new. The ones that look like a six-pack of tallboys cans stuck together.

TooMuchFun

[kevnmcd]

Like TMF said, it depends on a lot of factors....do they get recharged to full capacity after every use, is the charge maintained, in extreme heat for extended length of time??? I had a pair of regular marine deep cycles that I got about 5 years out of. If you are concerned about them, replace them. Cheap insurance for a trouble free trip. Costco sells the marine deep cycles for $50 each.

[Ultra_Stealth]

Thanks for the info guys. Well, the last two years I haven't used the boat as much as I have wanted to. The batteries are normally dead and I charge them before a trip to the lake. I am having a system put in the boat and am thinking that the older batteries might need to be replaced. How much can you keep charging the batteries once they are dead? Is it bad to let the batteries go dead? :dunno:

Thanks for the info Kev on the batteries at Costco....

Also,
You guys with the systems, how long can you play the radio before the battery die's? If it, does, will the altenator recharge the battery? I have two batteries so one will be for the radio and other to start the boat. Just wondering if it will recharge once the boat is started.

Thanks.

[Essex502]

With our new boat we put an onboard battery charger in it. When out of the water and in the garage the charger is always plugged in. It's a sophisticated one that keeps the battery at its optimal level and prevents calcification which is the death of batteries. With the Optimas I don't know how long we'll get out of them but they are always ready to go. The unit we bought from www.batterystuff.com has dual circuits and isolates each battery from the other during charging. Seems to work well.

[kevnmcd]

Chad - How long a battery will last while playing depends on what type of battery, how loud and what kind of system you have. A battery will last longer playing a low volume with only 1 amp as compared to loud playing and 3 amps.

I have a regular marine deep cycle, 3 amps, 2 12" subs and 10 speakers and can play it for about 4 hours at a pretty good volume level before it starts clipping out. Then I start the boat with the other battery and switch to ALL for the ride back in. I have never had any problems with not being able to play the music for the weekend this way.

Good luck!

[Ultra_Stealth]

Chad - How long a battery will last while playing depends on what type of battery, how loud and what kind of system you have. A battery will last longer playing a low volume with only 1 amp as compared to loud playing and 3 amps.

I have a regular marine deep cycle, 3 amps, 2 12" subs and 10 speakers and can play it for about 4 hours at a pretty good volume level before it starts clipping out. Then I start the boat with the other battery and switch to ALL for the ride back in. I have never had any problems with not being able to play the music for the weekend this way.

Good luck!

Perfect!!! Thanks for the input Kevin. That is helpful. I will have two 12's, 4 6x9's and 2 6 1/2's, and two amps. Not to much but it is better than just the deck and 4 6x9's.

[kimswang]

Get a Link 2000 and it will tell you how many hours left until the batteries goes below a predetermined level. I installed one and can show you at the regatta if you are interested.

[DCfive]

Correct me if I'm wrong...But it's my understanding that if you run-down one battery and switch to "all" to recharge, that the stronger battery will take the charge from the alternator.

[TooMuchFun]

DC Five is right on the last comment. To be sure, when running home, and once the boat is running, switch the battery system to the one that is low ... it also depends on how the system is wired though. Make sure each battery is wired to be isolated from the other with the only way to be running on "all" is through the switch. Otherwise the stronger one will be continuously bled by the weaker when sitting causing them both to go bad prematurely.

I also have a system like Essex 502 describes and it is great. Really enhances the life of the battery system. I learned the hard way on a previous boat :headshake:.

TooMuchFun

[kimswang]

Correct me if I'm wrong...But it's my understanding that if you run-down one battery and switch to "all" to recharge, that the stronger battery will take the charge from the alternator.

Only if you have a ACR. If not, the weak battery will steal juice from the strong one when you select all. Go to www.bluesea.com and look at some of their diagrams. If you need help, you got my number...

[Ultra_Stealth]

Get a Link 2000 and it will tell you how many hours left until the batteries goes below a predetermined level. I installed one and can show you at the regatta if you are interested.

I will definitely have to take a look.

[kevnmcd]

Correct me if I'm wrong...But it's my understanding that if you run-down one battery and switch to "all" to recharge, that the stronger battery will take the charge from the alternator.

If the batteries are wired in parallel when running on "ALL", wouldn't the charge in each battery equalize and then the alternator would be charging both batteries up to a full charge?

Typically, I will run the whole day on "ALL". Only if I know we will be parked for long time and blasting the tunes will I switch to one battery. I also ALWAYS carry a fully charged dry cell with me and a pair of jumper cables just in case. :thumb:

[Ultra_Stealth]

If the batteries are wired in parallel when running on "ALL", wouldn't the charge in each battery equalize and then the alternator would be charging both batteries up to a full charge?

Typically, I will run the whole day on "ALL". Only if I know we will be parked for long time and blasting the tunes will I switch to one battery. I also ALWAYS carry a fully charged dry cell with me and a pair of jumper cables just in case. :thumb:

Just our of curiousity, when you are running both batteries on all, radio on and blasting, and the boat is running, does the alternator keep the batteries at full or does the radio bring the batteries down when running the boat? I hope someone understands what I am asking. :smashfreak::lookaround:

[Essex502]

I have read where you should NEVER switch batteries while the ignition switch is on. Supposedly does damage to the electronics in the ignition and ECM. I've never tried but it sounded about right since there is always some electrical arcing when a connection is made. Unless someone knows definitely different I'd be careful.

[kevnmcd]

Just our of curiousity, when you are running both batteries on all, radio on and blasting, and the boat is running, does the alternator keep the batteries at full or does the radio bring the batteries down when running the boat? I hope someone understands what I am asking. :smashfreak::lookaround:

I understand what you are saying but I am not sure. I would all depend on how much your stereo is drawing and how much your alternator is putting out. I can't run with my stereo going anyway since my boat is so loud so it really doesn't matter for me.

I have read where you should NEVER switch batteries while the ignition switch is on. Supposedly does damage to the electronics in the ignition and ECM. I've never tried but it sounded about right since there is always some electrical arcing when a connection is made. Unless someone knows definitely different I'd be careful.

I know that if you accidently turn the switch to off that it will blow diodes in the charging system but I am not sure if there is anything wrong with switching from 1 to 2 to ALL on the switch while running. That is one of the reasons I just switch to ALL before starting and just leave it there.

[Ultra_Stealth]

:insane::eek3: Good to know.

[digginfordollars]

I've switched mine from one battery to all while running many times, never has given me any problems. I've never switched to off though. Usually if the stereo runs one battery done I will start it on the good battery and then switch it to all after it is running. I almost always run on one battery all weekend for both starting and stereo and only switch to the other one if I need to for starting purposes.

[Essex502]

I know that if you accidently turn the switch to off that it will blow diodes in the charging system but I am not sure if there is anything wrong with switching from 1 to 2 to ALL on the switch while running. That is one of the reasons I just switch to ALL before starting and just leave it there.

Just something I read but I can't remember where. It stayed with me. I hardly ever use the audio so I never have to switch the batteries!

[kimswang]

I know that if you accidently turn the switch to off that it will blow diodes in the charging system but I am not sure if there is anything wrong with switching from 1 to 2 to ALL on the switch while running. That is one of the reasons I just switch to ALL before starting and just leave it there.


You MAY blow something, basically a matter of time if you have a break before make kinda switch. If you have a make before break you can switch all day long...

[DCfive]

You MAY blow something, basically a matter of time if you have a break before make kinda switch. If you have a make before break you can switch all day long...

That's what I have...:thumb:

[DCfive]

Only if you have a ACR. If not, the weak battery will steal juice from the strong one when you select all. Go to www.bluesea.com and look at some of their diagrams. If you need help, you got my number...

I have one of those set-ups also. I also have an on-board charger. The stock set-up has been great so far.

[kevnmcd]

If you have a make before break you can switch all day long...

Not sure if I do or not. How could I tell?

[DCfive]

Not sure how you can tell, I'm just going by what it says in my manual. I'm sure Kim could help you out on that one.

[kimswang]

Just look up the kind of switch you have. If it's a Blue Sea you will find it here: www.bluesea.com , if not you prolly find it here: www.westmarine.com

[Ultra_Stealth]

Anyone have any info on the Blue Top Optima marine batteries? I was told they are better then the normal battery. :dunno:

[kevnmcd]

Just look up the kind of switch you have. If it's a Blue Sea you will find it here: www.bluesea.com , if not you prolly find it here: www.westmarine.com

I have the Perko and it looks like I shouldn't be doing any switching while running. :insane: I guess I will be leaving it in one position from now on!

[kimswang]

Anyone have any info on the Blue Top Optima marine batteries? I was told they are better then the normal battery. :dunno:

They sure are! About twice as good and three times the cost, I'll just stick to regular lead acid... More bang for the buck, and I need the rest for gas as you will find out...:D

[kimswang]

I have the Perko and it looks like I shouldn't be doing any switching while running. :insane: I guess I will be leaving it in one position from now on!

With the Perko, you might have a chance of blowing a diode. However, look at your amp meter and if it shows zero, you have to try hard to blow them.

[sandman0_0]

Anyone have any info on the Blue Top Optima marine batteries? I was told they are better then the normal battery. :dunno:

I will let you know about the blue tops. I just switched to them. I was going through batteries about every 2 years so I thought I would take chance on them.

[Ultra_Stealth]

They sure are! About twice as good and three times the cost, I'll just stick to regular lead acid... More bang for the buck, and I need the rest for gas as you will find out...:D

I called on them yesterday and they were $190 a battery. I agree, for now I will keep the extra money for gas. :D

[Ultra_Stealth]

I will let you know about the blue tops. I just switched to them. I was going through batteries about every 2 years so I thought I would take chance on them.

Thanks.

[kimswang]

I called on them yesterday and they were $190 a battery. I agree, for now I will keep the extra money for gas. :D

Good choice!

[Essex502]

I called on them yesterday and they were $190 a battery. I agree, for now I will keep the extra money for gas. :D

Try your local Costco. Some have them for around $150. There are two types of Blue Tops so make sure you get the rights ones for your application.

[Ultra_Stealth]

I just wonder what the advantages are and if it warrants spending $150+ a battery.

[kevnmcd]

I just wonder what the advantages are and if it warrants spending $150+ a battery.

You can buy 3 of the regular marine deep cycles for the price of 1 blue top at Costco....just a little food for thought.

[Essex502]

Here is Optima's website: http://www.optimabatteries.com/publish/optima/americas0/en/config/home.html

Also, www.batterystuff.com is a great source of information.

[kevnmcd]

Also, www.batterystuff.com is a great source of information.

This site is a great place...tons of info and everything you need for batterys.

[sandman0_0]

There are other manufacture's of gel cell batteries that are less expensive than Optima's, I did a quick search and came up with 3 manufacture's. So I would guess that the price will come down to a more realistic amount in a year or so. I see exide has a marine one for about 135.00. Thats a good start.