Battery help before heading out on the water today

[clasavi]

Good morning,
i have a '98 2200 sx stingray with a 350 magnum... i have two batteries, one crank (Advance Auto part brand) and one dual purpose (interstate) hooked up to a battery switch. while docked on the water, i usually play stereo hooked to 4 speakers and an amp all of which run off the dual interstate battery. the following are my questions assuming i play the radio/amp on the water 8 hours.

1) on what battery switch position do i start the boat on, 1, 2 or All?
2) while docked should I occasionally crank the boat to recharge the batteries? if so, how long do i leave the boat running?
3) Upon returning back to the marina, on what battery switch position do i start the boat on, 1, 2 or All?

depending on how fast i want to go, the ride back to the marina takes 20-30 minutes. assuming i run the battery switch on "All", is that sufficient time to charge the batteries back up to 100%?

Note - the boat sits in dry storage at the marina so a smart charger will not help.

any suggestions will will be great

Claudio

 

[Boats-A-lots]

Re: Battery help before heading out on the water today

1. Start your boat with the battery labeled for cranking amps. (the other is for house use) usually a deep cycle.
2. Charging batteries take a long time, simply starting your boat for a little while really wont charge them that much. Again, if your docked and want 12 volt power to stereo or what ever, use the battery marked deep cycle.
3. Same as above.

The dual batteries are (or should be) set up as one for cranking the motor, the other to supply 12 volt power to house. (by house I mean, lights, water pump, stereos, fans....)

If you didn't install this system, check out how they are connected. It's important that both batteries are being charged at the same time while running your boat.

 

[Boats-A-lots]

Re: Battery help before heading out on the water today

I think I said that right..

Duel batteries are set up this way on motor homes. One to two batteries to supply cranking amps to the motor, and another set or bank of batteries set to house power supply. It's set up this way so you don't run down your motor batteries using your TV's, lights, water pump for sinks and potty and so on.

Deep cycle batteries run a lot longer then cranking amp batteries, and are made this way. They are not really made for cranking amps as much a long slow pull amps. So, always use the battery marked with cranking amps to start the boat. (what ever number it's set to on your switch)