Dual Battery

[skbishop90]

Ive searched and searched on this site but no luck.

I know people highly recommend the Blue Seas Dual battery kit, but is there a good place to purchase the battery cables needed along with the Blue Seas kit? How much cable will I need? I wont be running power to any kind of amp or anything as of yet. That will likely be later in the summer. Just wanting dual batteries for the added insurance of running the radio while parked.

 

[MikeyL]

Ive searched and searched on this site but no luck.

I know people highly recommend the Blue Seas Dual battery kit, but is there a good place to purchase the battery cables needed along with the Blue Seas kit? How much cable will I need? I wont be running power to any kind of amp or anything as of yet. That will likely be later in the summer. Just wanting dual batteries for the added insurance of running the radio while parked.

Like the way you think ~!
You have no idea how IMPORTANT what you wrote is. A DEAD BATTERY (single) can really ruin a day on the water !
Good Luck - Mikey Lulejian - Lake Oconee, GA

 

[kthrash]

The Blue Seas system is what I installed.. I made my own cables cut to length with some 0 Guage cable, a big crimp tool and a pair of large guage wire cutters.. I used:

KnuKoncept 0 Guage Red Cable
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004YZBKUQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

KnuKoncept 0 Guage Black Cable
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004YZBQQ4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

1/0 Guage Terminal Ends
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00030CYD8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Terminal Crimp Tool
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CUQ042Q/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Large Guage Wire Cutters
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006962GM4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I am a big believer in buying tools I need to do jobs I need so I have them in the future..

 

[skbishop90]

Doesnt seem like a bad price for 20'. How many feet are needed for just the dual battery? Im thinking maybe 7-8' each(Power and Ground). Id like to have extra for when the time comes to install amps, fuse blocks, etc.

 

[kthrash]

I think where my batteries are located and from the blue seas switch, I used maybe 4' of each.. the rest was run to my amps on the other side of the boat.. you can see in the pic, the cables dont have to be very long..

Shorter is better.. I also like the KnuKonceptz because it is very flexible..

 

[MikeyL]

@kthrash - The last tool you listed - the Jonard JIC-63050 High Leverage Cable Cutter with Red Handle, 9-1/4" Length
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006962GM4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
is THE TOOL for cutting 4 gauge multi-stranded 100% oxygen-free Copper Power Cabling for boat amplifiers !
Good find, Son. Like the way you think !
Best Wishes to you & yours - Mikey Lulejian - Lake OConee, GA

 

[skbishop90]

Looks like its time I bust out my wallet and piss off the wife!

 

[txav8r]

You can custom make your cables but you need a crimper for at least 4 Ga and if your doing stereo stuff, you may need to be able to do 2 Ga. Where you place your batteries, whether you use battery boxes, and whether you have a switch or switch/acr, will determine how long and how many cables you need. Cable management is a PIA if you have a bunch of excess in the compartment.

 

[skbishop90]

With the information provided in this thread, I know how I want to run everything and where to get it. Thanks guys! Im a part of a forum for basically everything I own, Tahoe, Jeep, RZR, Pontoon, my Yamaha, and this Forum is by far the best interaction. Huge thanks to everyone on here that is willing to help.

 

[rickd01]

@skbishop90 , what mfg batteries are you using?

 

[skbishop90]

I will be going dual Interstate Marine batteries. To match the factory one I already have.

 

[MOA_Chaser]

I wrote a review for these guys, they are FAST and will do everything to your specs. Use a rope to estimate your lengths, place your order and you're off to the races.

https://jetboaters.net/threads/tinnedmarinewire-com-review.3395/

 

[skbishop90]

I will definitely take this into consideration once I finally convince the WOMAN that its added insurance and worth the money on dual batteries. haha

 

[MOA_Chaser]

I don't think that's a tough sell at all. When you're dead in the water, it's not like you're along a highway somewhere. Redundancy is key. We go on the river during the week, and especially towards dusk you often don't see another boat. I'd hate to think of what a pain it would be to be stranded 6 miles downstream from the launch with a dead battery. Two is one, and one is none! At LEAST buy a jump pack!

 

[skbishop90]

I acutally just bought a battery from the Interstate distributor down the road while on lunch break. SHHHH....Dont tell her.

 

[David Analog]

I don't think that's a tough sell at all. When you're dead in the water, it's not like you're along a highway somewhere. Redundancy is key. We go on the river during the week, and especially towards dusk you often don't see another boat. I'd hate to think of what a pain it would be to be stranded 6 miles downstream from the launch with a dead battery. Two is one, and one is none! At LEAST buy a jump pack!

All true. But you never have to recharge oars.

 

[MOA_Chaser]

All true. But you never have to recharge oars.

Yeah, but using oars for several miles is more noise than I could stand.

 

[bthessel]

Any thoughts on location for dual batteries? I have a 2009 AR230 and right now the single battery is all the way forward under the passenger seat on the port side. Cables are then run to the back of that space where the on/off switch is and bus bars. I think the reason it was moved up to the front is there are wake sacks under both sides leaving just a little space in front of them for the battery. I am adding a second battery and an onboard charger but can't decide where I should put it all. I will post some pictures of where things are today when I get home tonight.

 

[txav8r]

I can tell you that when I installed a second battery, the boat leans to port at rest now. But I also changed from a stock group 24 to two group 27's. A group 27 is about 70 pounds vs about 50-55 for a group 24.

 

[bthessel]

I can tell you that when I installed a second battery, the boat leans to port at rest now. But I also changed from a stock group 24 to two group 27's. A group 27 is about 70 pounds vs about 50-55 for a group 24.

Ya, on my last boat I had 2 group 27's all the way at the back of then engine compartment on the port side and there was a noticeable list. Don't know if it would be better to have them both together at the front of the port space or both as far back as I can get them. I want to keep them together on the same side so I don't have to worry about cable lengths/charging etc. I plan on keeping the one group 24 in there now for starting and buying a group 27 or 31 for the house side with a switch to flip/combine them if the group 24 every fails to start it.