a question for you dual battery guys.

[lilfoo2225]

i was wondering if you guys used just a dual battery perko switch or that and one of those (si) dual sensing auto charging relays together. just looking for a lil input on the hardware and best setup. thanks!

[lilfoo2225]

ive been checking out some of your old posts on this and i think my best bet would be to go with the "blue sea add-a battery system. if you got any reviews or input on this system let me know. thanks!

[toyotafreak]

Make sure you've read Pete's post from back in the day:  www.epicmarine.com/battery.html

I started looking recently to see if they're still in business or if other isolators have similar features. Let's just say there's a ton of options out there. Too much for a rookie like me to pick out a quick answer.

Think the big thing is to get the architecture squared away. Think I'd go one boat battery plus 1 (plus option for 2) house batteries, with the ability to start the boat from the house bank if needed, and ability to keep the boat battery no matter what charge the house bank is at. The big thing is that each battery has to be charged properly and individually 'peaked' at the highest possible voltage. 

[lilfoo2225]

yeah i think my main issue is where the new battery goes and where to run wires and mount the relay. the batt will for sure go in the trunk. it will be some long wire runs and i know that isnt cheap. i was just seeing if anyone with a 21 had a dual setup or not to get some ideas.

[toyboat]

I ran a perco dual battery switch where the cutoff switch was and ran 2ga. pair to the battery in the locker. I never have run out of battery and can start off either one. I will admit carrying a jumper battery because I won't jump off my batteries. I am still on the original battery. I keep the charger on the boat whenever it is not on the water.

[lilfoo2225]

I ran a perco dual battery switch where the cutoff switch was and ran 2ga. pair to the battery in the locker. I never have run out of battery and can start off either one. I will admit carrying a jumper battery because I won't jump off my batteries. I am still on the original battery. I keep the charger on the boat whenever it is not on the water.

and your alternator maintains both batteries good then? when your running it on both batt selection?

[HCollado]

No I don't think so. I think if you put the Perko to "both batteries" and tried starting that way, something is going to get fried.
 

You can charge them separately and use them separately.

I would search the site. Others have installed battery isolators and then you can run them simultaneously

[lilfoo2225]

yeah i was just checking out other options is all.

[Rambling Wreck]

I have a boat with two batteries and keep the Perko switch on "Both" all of the time, per the mechanic's recommendation. He says it keeps both charged by the alternator. Never had a problem-

[lilfoo2225]

I have a boat with two batteries and keep the Perko switch on "Both" all of the time, per the mechanic's recommendation. He says it keeps both charged by the alternator. Never had a problem-

where did you put your second batt and did you use a relay?

[lilfoo2225]

No I don't think so. I think if you put the Perko to "both batteries" and tried starting that way, something is going to get fried.
 

You can charge them separately and use them separately.

I would search the site. Others have installed battery isolators and then you can run them simultaneously

oh and nothing will get fried if you just run the batts parallel.

[Rambling Wreck]

The duel battery setup is not on my Epic. No relay was used.

[lilfoo2225]

gotcha

[captmcbk]

I would suggest to always use an isolator - It protects your best battery from getting fried when the first one starts to go bad - This is the way fishermen keep their trolling batteries charged when they are low and their starting battery is full - The voltage regulator senses a need for charging and the isolator sends the charging to those batterie(s) only, not overcharging the starting battery - There is a company in Calif., NewMar [I think you can find it at www.newmar.com] that is producing a new technology which is suppose to be better than isolators - They produce alot of high end marine chargers etc. for use in commercial applications/ocean going vessels - Check them out - I am not affiliated but I do have their ABC12-8 charger - It is the best battery charger I have ever owned - good luck, Mike 

[lilfoo2225]

i like the kit at west marine that comes with a switch too. but yeah using the isolator is for sure easier on the alternator and a safer route. but yeah just getting tired of not being able to run more then two things without one shutting off. but hey thanks for the site info and ill check that out. thanks again!!