? for anyone using 4 batteries

[aurora]

i'd like to add a 4th battery for livewells, electronics (lms350,vexilar flasher, another gps, etc.), what type of battery should i use, (deep cycle, starting?) also, should i have it set up so the altnernator from the motor can charge it somewhat throughout the day or is having the 4 battery hooked up to the 3rd bank of my charger good enough. thanks.

[Stormsearch]

If adding a 4th battery for electronics, livewells and such I would get a deep cycle battery. However, unless you use your livewells and lights alot during the day, you probably will not drain your battery enough to even warrant a 4th. Most people simply use their starting batteries for accessories. I don't think also you could run down a battery using electronics within a day that would require charging from a motor, unless you were not able to re-charge the battery every night.

I understand that Guest is coming out with a 4-bank charger that would solve other needs as well. I would feel uncomfortable not being able to re-charge my starter battery and not knowing before hand if the battery is good enough to turn over the engine first thing in the morning.

I checked the current draw from all of my electronics (two fish finders, 1 gps, phone plugged into 12v outlet) and it was less than 1.2 amps. Adding lights and livewell pumps it bumpet it up 6 amps but they were not running continuously. I realized that a 4th battery was not required and simply would just add weight to the boat.

[aurora]

just bring it back up. anyone else?

[Dave in Mpls]

This is my current configuration:

I run two gr27 dual purpose in series (+ to -) to power two 24V trolling motors. I run two banks of my Guest 2631 to these two batteries, independently.

I run two gr24 dual purpose in parallel (+ to +, - to -) in the rear for starting and accessories. I used 6AWG with lugs for these connections. The third bank of the charger takes care of these. I have the + charger lead hooked to the + of one battery, and the - charger lead hooked to the - of the other battery. I have the leads to/from the motor hooked to the batteries the same way...+ to one battery and - to the other battery. If you choose to go this route, I would recommend that the two batteries wires in parallel are identical (size, age, etc) so that a "weak" battery doesn't run down a "good" battery.

Hope this helps some

Regards

[aurora]

thanks

[CaptnRic]

The easy solution might be to just attach an isolator from one of the batteries to the electronic battery,, That way it will not diacharge the starting battery.. On my boat I installed a device from Boat US that connects batteries only when there is above 12.5 volts,, That is when engine or chargers are operating. That way when I start the engine (Big blocks in inboard application) the unit seperates the batteries ,the current drain doesn't spike the electronics ( GPS) and cause interruption in coverage.

[aurora]

thanks, that sounds like what i am looking for. was it an expensive project? Do you like to use a deep cycle for the electronic battery?