How much is too much for one battery?

J

joel45acp

Cadet
Joined
May 25, 2010
Messages
21
Morning folks. Currently I have navigation lights, fish finder and two 55watt headlights connected to my Duralast Dual Purpose battery model # 27DP-DL with 1K cranking amps, 115 amp hours with 180 reserved amps. I'm thinking of connecting my live well pump to this system, but I'm not sure if I have too much already. What do you guys think? Thanks in advance for your insight. :D
 
ajgraz

ajgraz

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Mar 1, 2010
Messages
1,858
Re: How much is too much for one battery?

In total that's about 20 amps of draw. Even without any recharge from the motor, you should be able to go 6-8 hours safely (maybe 9-10 hours in a pinch) on that battery with all that stuff going continuously.
 
Silvertip

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: How much is too much for one battery?

Thats not 180 reserve AMPS. It is reserve MINUTES @ 23 amp (sometimes 25 amp) draw. What that translates to is IF you have roughly a 23 amp draw (and you don't), your battery should run about a little more than three hours with the current load (provided it is continuous). 60 minutes in an hour X 3 = 180 minutes. If you add a livewell pump, also add a livewell timer. The pump does not need to run continuously so the timer allows it to run for 30 seconds and be off for about three minutes. Some are adjustable for run and/or off time.

Your current load is somewhere between 10 and 12 amps so it is half of the 23 amp test spec indicated above. That says the battery would last about 360 minutes since the load is half the test spec. That says six hours. Adding the pump would not cut this time down much - especially if you used the timer.
 
ajgraz

ajgraz

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Mar 1, 2010
Messages
1,858
Re: How much is too much for one battery?

Oops, yes, calculation error on my part; cut the hours in half and call that 3-4 hours safe, maybe 5 in a pinch.
 
B

big_b

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Apr 21, 2010
Messages
77
Re: How much is too much for one battery?

In comparison ... I have a VHF radio, CD player, 14 courtesy lights, nav lights, blower, pump, air horn, Trolling motor, and GPS/Fishfinder .. I didn't want to risk running low on power..

I installed 2 Optima Deep Cycle Blue Top Marine batteries and a switch so I can run battery #1, battery #2, both or turn them off ...

I have yet to run out and I have left the lights and CD player on for 15 hours + and she fired right up ... (using only 1 battery at that) It may be over kill but I feel safe :)
 
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