I know this has been ask but I'm still not sure ? about using the radio with boat off

[gaston9mm]

I searched other post but i'm still not clear on how long. I have a bayliner 205 with 5.0 inboard. the boat has a single battery. I would like to use the radio with the engine shut off while the kids are swimming but not sure how ong before I run into trouble with the battery. I know you can't use it long in a car like that but not sure if boats are different. i just can't swim as long as those kids, guess i'm starting to get old . Any help would be appreciated and I guess yall realized i'm new to boating. Thanks again

 

[dontask]

Re: I know this has been ask but I'm still not sure ? about using the radio with boat

If you want to know how long you can use the battery before its problem depends on numerous factors. Capacity of battery and condition its in. Then the user side (the stereo in this case). Also the volume at which you play is a determining factor, more power----faster drain. Have you thought about turning the stereo on while the boat is at the dock or on the trailer at home and come back in an hour and see if you can start it? If its drained too low to start your engine try 30 minutes next time. That way being close to a battery charger or jumper cables won't strand you.

 

[Showtime22]

Re: I know this has been ask but I'm still not sure ? about using the radio with boat

Its usually okay to run it 20 minutes with out issue, but I'd invest in a jump pack or 2nd battery for piece of mind.

I let my boat idle 5 hours the other day because every1 wanted the radio on and it seemed to burn about 8 dollars in gas extra. But shutting the motor off is nicer with out exhaust and noise.

 

[mickjetblue]

Re: I know this has been ask but I'm still not sure ? about using the radio with boat

I encountered a stranded boat with a low battery that wouldn't start the
engine due to using the radio(stereo system) for a couple of hours.
Time flies when you're having a good time.

I took the owner to a marina where he got a jump pack.

He said he could sense that the battery wasn't turning the engine as fast as usual,
and he didn't heed the sign.

I got my own jump pack to carry around, since then.

 

[Thajeffski]

Re: I know this has been ask but I'm still not sure ? about using the radio with boat

gotta go with a second battery for piece of mind!

I leave mine on for 8 hrs when I'm out from the time I take the cover off till the time I put it back on......it's much more enjoyable that way!

 

[xxxflhrci]

Re: I know this has been ask but I'm still not sure ? about using the radio with boat

I wanted a second battery to avoid being stranded from running down my starting battery while listening to the stereo. However, I did not want to give up space or add extra weight by carrying a full size battery..I power my stereo with a sealed motorcycle battery. It will easily run it all day long.

 

[Numlaar]

Re: I know this has been ask but I'm still not sure ? about using the radio with boat

I'm going to toss in here...

First off, running a radio for 20-30mins should have no effect on a marine deep cycle battery whatsoever! By design, they are intended to be used for a long slow draw (trolling motor anyone?)

I had run the radio in my previous boat all day long, (8hours?), and still start at the end of the day no problem! (was a 5.7L mercruiser).

If your battery is draining down that fast, it probably has a dead cell in it, and should be changed. You can take it to any local auto parts store, and have them do a draw test on it, (for free), and it will tell you what kind of shape its in.

If the battery is good, then you still have a few options:

one option:
You can also opt to get a battery monitor (any auto parts store, walmart, etc.), it plugs into a cig lighter power outlet, and lets you know the status of your battery, although it would probably take a few trial and errors to know when the engine won't crank compared to what shows on the monitor...

another:
Get one of those plug in solar thingys that slowly recharges the battery.. being out in the sun on a boat, it "should" keep ahead of the draw of the radio (but you would need to know the draw of your radio to be sure, if your radio draw in amps exceeds the output of the charger, it won't work), just plop it on the dash/sundeck/whatever, while anchored, and your good!

example: http://www.batterystuff.com/solar-chargers/SE170.html

Lastly as mentioned, and the option I agree with most, and probably the BEST option, get a second battery. On a boat your size, it most definitely has the space, and it was probably even a factory option to come with a dual battery setup... there are a couple ways you can do it,

1. install the second battery, and get one of the switchovers (big orange dial thingy that lets you swap between battery 1, battery 2, or both). You can use one all day, keep the other one ready to go, if batt #1 won't crank the engine, switch it, and you're good to go. or
2. second install option, is to simply plop the batteries in, and connect them in parallel, this keeps your 12v rating, but doubles your amp hours by drawing down both batteries at the same time. If you dont want to spend the money for the switchover (almost the cost of a marine battery). Diagram for connecting in parallel: http://www.batterytender.com/includes/languages/english/resources/Connecting_Batteries_and_Chargers_in_Series_and_Parallel.pdf

Diagram starts on page 2.

Ideally having the switch over would be best, as you would maintain a completely fresh battery ready to switch to at any time.

Anyway hope that helps a bit! Good luck

 

[samagy16]

Re: I know this has been ask but I'm still not sure ? about using the radio with boat

Numlar,

How would you arrange the dials on the attached pic if you wanted to go about a long day at anchor or sandbar and wanted to run the radio all day and on occasion also use some of the lighter adapters around the boat. I've never had a problem as I have three batteries, but figured there is a right way and a wrong way. Input is appreciated. Thank You.

 

[H8tank]

Re: I know this has been ask but I'm still not sure ? about using the radio with boat

I bought a jump pack, brand new and fully charged it didn't have enough guts to turn my engine over.

I have two batts, and plug her into the shore charger before outings.

 

[rbh]

Re: I know this has been ask but I'm still not sure ? about using the radio with boat

I have to agree, go with multiple group 27 batteries if you have room, and put in the 4 way switch, OFF, BATT #1 on, BATT#2 on, ALL ON.
rob

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: I know this has been ask but I'm still not sure ? about using the radio with boat

I bought a jump pack, brand new and fully charged it didn't have enough guts to turn my engine over.

I have two batts, and plug her into the shore charger before outings.

You need to see what the CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) rating is for that. Good bet it's a smaller pack that can't put out enough juice. I got an 800A CCA battery pack for mine. I haven't had to use it, even with 2-3 hours of Radio, Anchor Light, Fish Finder being on. So my bet is your main battery may be due for a replacement. A good battery will run a radio all night if you need it. However if you drain it that much on a regular basis, it will loose strength over time, to the point that it will only run a small draw for a very short time. This is common of any battery. We go through a tonne of batteries in our work trucks as we run 3000W inverters, and we (all of us 'smart techy type') keep forgetting to turn them off when the trucks are parked for more then a half hour. Some day, one of us will rig a timer to shut them down...but...heck...it's a work truck..not my problem. LoLs...

ian

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: I know this has been ask but I'm still not sure ? about using the radio with boat

If you listen to the radio at "sane" volume levels and dont have an elaborate system with extra amps and subwoofers you will have no problem running the stereo for 2-3 hours or even longer. Most stereos will only draw an amp or two at modest volume levels.

Sure it's ideal to have multipule batteries but in this economy, play the stereo and enjoy your time out. The kids can swim until their pooped and the battery will be fine

Dont worry about it

 

[Numlaar]

Re: I know this has been ask but I'm still not sure ? about using the radio with boat

Numlar,

How would you arrange the dials on the attached pic if you wanted to go about a long day at anchor or sandbar and wanted to run the radio all day and on occasion also use some of the lighter adapters around the boat. I've never had a problem as I have three batteries, but figured there is a right way and a wrong way. Input is appreciated. Thank You.

I have to be honest, I have never had a "3" battery setup... only 2...

but as mentioned, when you are running the switch set to "both" you are still draining both batterys, but they should last twice as long... so if you drain your batteries down in say 3 hours, you should get 6 hours in parallel (provided you have the same rate of draw)...

From your picture, I can't tell exactly how your wired up, but it looks like there is a central cut off switch in the middle, then a 3-way switch to either side (with the settings 1/2/both)...

I have to assume the batteries are setup with a Left/Middle/Right (even though they may not be physically sitting like that), where the M (middle), battery is the one that would be drawn down for the "Both" setting from either switch. It looks like you have it set to "Both" for both switches, so that means your drawing down from all 3 batteries, which (again in theory) should triple your total AH (amp hours).

I had two main practices, depending on if I was crusing or sitting anchored with the engine off. (this is just my opinion, I am sure people may agree or disagree)...
Anchored:
I always had a practice of alternating which battery I used to keep them both "fresh", (one trip out, use batt1, next trip batt2, and continue changing off)... but only use one or the other during the day, so if I start the day on #1 thats what I use for the WHOLE day, that way I have a fully charged backup ready to go... (Deep cycle batteries are just that, they are designed to be drawn down and charged back up unlike a car battery that is designed for a steady charge).

So if it were me, I would anchor with both selectors in EITHER the #1 or the #2 position (but not all in the "Both" position). Have your fun for the day, then if for some reason you have a low battery situation you can flip it to the other set or to the both setting and fire up and off you go... if you run off everything set to "both", then even though you have tripled your draw time, you are still draining all 3 batteries down, which doesnt leave you a backup.

Cruising:
With the engine running and charging, I always left my selector set to "Both" so that both batteries are getting a charge. Always a good idea to keep them topped off as much as possible.

hope that helps, sorry if it was confusing...

 

[ovrrdrive]

Re: I know this has been ask but I'm still not sure ? about using the radio with boat

I just added a second deep cycle marine battery under the console that is detached from the rest of the electrical system just for my radio because I was too paranoid to run it from the main battery for too long. After a few trips out I'll just throw it on a battery maintainer for a few days to bring the charge back up to full. I think I paid like $59 for it at Walmart and next to my Seatow membership I think it was the best safety feature I have added to the boat. If it came to it, I could swap it out with the cranking battery if it went dead for some reason and get the motor started to make it back in too. I paid a lot for my stareo system in the boat and it's nice to finally be able to use it.