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Author Topic:   One or Two Batteries

wood duck posted 04-09-2008 09:34 PM ET (US)
I run a 2008 190 Montauk with a 135 Verado. My only optional accessories are a Garmin 545S Chartplotter, Clarion Stereo, and factory installed baitwell. I use a handheld marine radio, no trolling motor. I've done the search on this site and perhaps a second battery would be overkill? I would appreciate your feedback. Thanks.
David1877 posted 04-09-2008 10:10 PM ET (US)
If you dont run the radio/accessories for long periods while the motor is off, I think you will be fine.
If you add a trolling motor, I would add a second
battery for this purpose.
jimh posted 04-09-2008 10:10 PM ET (US)
My general principle:
The necessity of a second battery is in inverse proportion to your ability to start and run your motor without a battery.
In your case, with a Verado 135, there is no way you are going to start or run that motor without a battery. Therefore, the necessity of a second battery is clear and great.
If I were starting with a clean sheet of paper, I'd design the boat's 12-volt system like this:
--one cranking battery for engine starting
--one deep cycle battery for house electronics, pumps, lighting, and accessories
--an automatic charging relay to switch charging current to house battery when available
--a primary battery distribution switch arrangement which allows engine starting from the house battery or from parallel batteries in emergencies
--a modest ouput 120-VAC powered battery charger to maintain the batteries at the dock
--battery distribution so that the engine runs only from the cranking battery and everything else runs from the house battery, unless the emergency parallel switch is operated
Since you have a Verado, you should consult with Mercury about how to power the gauges, the DTS, and the electric power steering pump. It may be preferred to have all of the engine related devices run from a common battery.

glen e posted 04-09-2008 10:39 PM ET (US)
amamzing how much Jim's answer is like our's, huh wood duck?
I know you don't want another one, but do it right...
glen e
veradoclub
we don't make this stuff up...
wood duck posted 04-09-2008 11:07 PM ET (US)
Thanks, Jim. Relax,Glen.
jimh posted 04-10-2008 12:13 AM ET (US)
I guess when you see convergence it either indicates the right path or everyone is drinking the same Kool-Aid.
glen e posted 04-10-2008 08:08 AM ET (US)
jim-
He does not have the power steering pump so that's a huge load that's missing but still the V and the live well will conflict. A set up like you recc will solve that..the only time I can think of recc one batt is on a small lake where help is a cell phone away and the boater carries a jump power pack...Stereos, live wells and drift fishing are a recipe for disater on a one batt boat...
bluewaterpirate posted 04-10-2008 08:45 AM ET (US)
Wood .....
You can go two ways BlueSea switch and VSR or the BEP 716 Battery distribution cluster. I've installed both systems each work as advertised. I installed a BEP 716 on my Whaler and it's worked perfectly. It's a self contained compact switch/vsr combo that is very easy to install.
http://www.bluewaterpirate.phanfare.com/show/external/196006/254869/ 11514712/file.jpg
http://www.bluewaterpirate.phanfare.com/show/external/196006/617057/ 35877140/file.jpg
http://www.bluewaterpirate.phanfare.com/show/external/196006/617057/ 13517372/file.jpg
Tom
wood duck posted 04-10-2008 09:37 AM ET (US)
Thanks, Jim, Glen, and Tom. I can now make an informed decision, two batteries.
Vince
DeepSouthWhaler posted 04-10-2008 09:43 AM ET (US)
Wood duck
I have almost the same exact setup that you have. I recently added a 2nd battery and a dual onboard charger. The 2nd battery is only for a reserve/emergency start. We typically fish 20-30 miles from port and I don't want to get caught with a dead battery.

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Author	Topic: One or Two Batteries
wood duck	posted 04-09-2008 09:34 PM ET (US) I run a 2008 190 Montauk with a 135 Verado. My only optional accessories are a Garmin 545S Chartplotter, Clarion Stereo, and factory installed baitwell. I use a handheld marine radio, no trolling motor. I've done the search on this site and perhaps a second battery would be overkill? I would appreciate your feedback. Thanks.
David1877	posted 04-09-2008 10:10 PM ET (US) If you dont run the radio/accessories for long periods while the motor is off, I think you will be fine. If you add a trolling motor, I would add a second battery for this purpose.
jimh	posted 04-09-2008 10:10 PM ET (US) My general principle: The necessity of a second battery is in inverse proportion to your ability to start and run your motor without a battery. In your case, with a Verado 135, there is no way you are going to start or run that motor without a battery. Therefore, the necessity of a second battery is clear and great. If I were starting with a clean sheet of paper, I'd design the boat's 12-volt system like this: --one cranking battery for engine starting --one deep cycle battery for house electronics, pumps, lighting, and accessories --an automatic charging relay to switch charging current to house battery when available --a primary battery distribution switch arrangement which allows engine starting from the house battery or from parallel batteries in emergencies --a modest ouput 120-VAC powered battery charger to maintain the batteries at the dock --battery distribution so that the engine runs only from the cranking battery and everything else runs from the house battery, unless the emergency parallel switch is operated Since you have a Verado, you should consult with Mercury about how to power the gauges, the DTS, and the electric power steering pump. It may be preferred to have all of the engine related devices run from a common battery.
glen e	posted 04-09-2008 10:39 PM ET (US) amamzing how much Jim's answer is like our's, huh wood duck? I know you don't want another one, but do it right... glen e veradoclub we don't make this stuff up...
wood duck	posted 04-09-2008 11:07 PM ET (US) Thanks, Jim. Relax,Glen.
jimh	posted 04-10-2008 12:13 AM ET (US) I guess when you see convergence it either indicates the right path or everyone is drinking the same Kool-Aid.
glen e	posted 04-10-2008 08:08 AM ET (US) jim- He does not have the power steering pump so that's a huge load that's missing but still the V and the live well will conflict. A set up like you recc will solve that..the only time I can think of recc one batt is on a small lake where help is a cell phone away and the boater carries a jump power pack...Stereos, live wells and drift fishing are a recipe for disater on a one batt boat...
bluewaterpirate	posted 04-10-2008 08:45 AM ET (US) Wood ..... You can go two ways BlueSea switch and VSR or the BEP 716 Battery distribution cluster. I've installed both systems each work as advertised. I installed a BEP 716 on my Whaler and it's worked perfectly. It's a self contained compact switch/vsr combo that is very easy to install. http://www.bluewaterpirate.phanfare.com/show/external/196006/254869/ 11514712/file.jpg http://www.bluewaterpirate.phanfare.com/show/external/196006/617057/ 35877140/file.jpg http://www.bluewaterpirate.phanfare.com/show/external/196006/617057/ 13517372/file.jpg Tom
wood duck	posted 04-10-2008 09:37 AM ET (US) Thanks, Jim, Glen, and Tom. I can now make an informed decision, two batteries. Vince
DeepSouthWhaler	posted 04-10-2008 09:43 AM ET (US) Wood duck I have almost the same exact setup that you have. I recently added a 2nd battery and a dual onboard charger. The 2nd battery is only for a reserve/emergency start. We typically fish 20-30 miles from port and I don't want to get caught with a dead battery.