Connecting 2 batteries

[greasemonkeyjmj]

I have 2 batteries on my pontoon. I have one strictly for cranking, and one to run the stereo, fishfinder and such. the battery for the stereo etc. is not connected to the cranking battery in any way, therefore it does not get charged by the engine. I am wanting to connect the 2 batteries together and add a cutoff switch so that i can charge the stereo battery while under power, and cut the switch off to disconnect it from the cranking battery while not running the engine. What gauge wire do i need to use to connect the two batteries, and what amp switch do i need for a disconnect ? there is approximately 10 foot between the 2 batteries. Thanks

 

[Grub54891]

No Title

install an acr,

 

[Steamboatbonner]

The size of the wire and switch depend on a few things. How many amps do you intend to draw off the "Accessories" battery? It would also be good to know what size alternator/generator your motor has on it. I'm not an expert by any means but I have seen people over load the charging system on their engines and burn through alternator/generators, (or stator/cdi units) left and right.


Just throwing the idea out there but......... Do the 2 batteries have to be 10 feet apart?
A friend of mine wired up a 12 volt power junction box on one end of his pontoon, wired up all the accessories to that.. He then used a 2nd battery placed next to the main battery and fed the power junction box with a large gauge wire (im guessing 4 or 6 gauge??) and then he was able to use a much shorter (1 foot) length of wire with a disconnect switch to charge the 2nd battery off the main battery.

 

[poconojoe]

install an acr,

+1 on the ACR. It automatically charges (with your engine or charger on land) whichever battery or batteries that need it. No brainer and peace of mind.