Dual Batteries, do I really need?

[Luna Sea 5]

i just bought 2 new batteries, $110.00 each.. not that bad..

[mboy]

What kind did ya get Nicky?

[mboy]

I am thinking keep my existing group 24 battery for cranking (since it seems to be doing just fine for that), adding the switch and isolater and then adding a group 27 deep cycle for the house battery.

That should do it.

Duff, where did ya get them cheap batteries?

[Luna Sea 5]

i dont remember the brand, bought it, put it in, and haven't seen it since. I went to West Marine in Toms River and they set me up.  I actually took a measurment of the battery and matched it so I wouldn't have to change the mounting bracket.  They are pretty helpfull there.

[BuddahB]

  Put the second battery in just for peace of mind and stagger their age. This way you won't have to replace two at once, you can do 1 at a time during the necessary seasons for replacement.

[Luna Sea 5]

  Put the second battery in just for peace of mind and stagger their age. This way you won't have to replace two at once, you can do 1 at a time during the necessary seasons for replacement.

Actually, I was told never to stager there age.  To keep your charging system working properly, always replace both at the same time.  Same thing with my diesel truck, both batteries have to be new at the same time...  If I was you, double check the advice.

[Duffman]

It really all depends on the type of setup you are running. How the batts are charged and whether they are isolated from one another.
   When/if you use an isoltaor or selector switch, both batteries are electrically seperated. The charging system will see them as 2 individual batteries with different charging needs and then charge them as such.
  It doesnt matter if 1 batt is 20 yrs old and the 2nd is brand new, they are totally seperated in the system.
   Of course if you dont run and isolator or combiner switch, thats a whole other ball of wax.

[pktaske]

  It doesnt matter if 1 batt is 20 yrs old and the 2nd is brand new, they are totally seperated in the system.Of course if you dont run and isolator or combiner switch, thats a whole other ball of wax.

Dead on right here.

[pktaske]

What the biggest "juice hog" for electronics? I only run my small fish finder and STS radio when I'm out. I switch between batts (switch) during the ride out and ride in. Neve noticed much drain (and I've had some hard starts when the engine is warmed up).

[CapBob]

Mboy,

Every Spring West Marine has great battery sales 1/2 price or less........

OR use your Port Supply Card

[mboy]

Port supply card still has my GPs/FF and install on it. When they goes to nothing, the rest gets done.

At least my boy helped me install my fuseblock and radio today

90% completed with that project.

next is fuel flo meter, then dual batt's. Then Trim tabs. Then I am done for a long while as that should be all the extras I need

[hareball]

What the biggest "juice hog" for electronics? I only run my small fish finder and STS radio when I'm out. I switch between batts (switch) during the ride out and ride in. Neve noticed much drain (and I've had some hard starts when the engine is warmed up).

i'd go with radar being the biggest drain followed by gps/plotter and fishfinder. just a guess though.

[makokeith]

The blue seas combo switches w/ acrs are great. You dont have to worry about turning the switches on and off all the time.  just fish.

[mboy]

That is what I will be going with one of these days