Deep Cycle Electrical System Setup

[wcniedba]

This is my first post here. I am new to boating and purchased a 30' pontoon boat last year with a small top deck. I just ordered a relatively large sound system for the boat and will now need to address the electrical issue. I'd like to power the system all day on the lake (while anchored and motor off) without burning gas to keep it going. From my research it looks like I'll need 3 (maybe 4) deep cycle batteries (and for now I'm just going with WalMart/Sams/Costco varieties). My main question has to do with wiring. I know how to connect the batteries to maintain 12V but from there it looks like I need to connect the battery block to a distribution/terminal block that I can then wire all the 12V electronics into? Does this sound right?

My next question concerns the battery charger. I plan on charging the batteries using power at my slip each night when return from the lake. When I connect the charger will I need to disconnect the batteries from the distribution block first? Is there an easy way to do this?

Again - completely newbie here so any wisdom/advice would be much appreciated. And if there's anything I'm leaving out please let me know!

Thanks,
Chris

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Deep Cycle Electrical System Setup

You should have posted this in the ELECTRICAL forum. However, just how big is this sound system that you need four batteries for. I hope you understand that that much noise carries a very long distance over water and will likely get you some ugly hand gestures from annoyed property owners and nearby boaters trying to suck up some peace and quiet. Now that you know -- back to the issue. Whether you have two, three or four batteries is unimportant. Each battery must be wired POS on one battery to POS on the next, then the next. Same for the NEG terminal. You then feed +12 volts and ground to whatever connection devices you want. Also understand that you need to know the maximum current draw (amps) this system will draw as that determines the gauge wire you need for the connections between batteries. As for the charger, you will need a big one. Four batteries are like one giant battery as far as the charger is concerned. A 20A unit will be necessary. No - you don't disconnect the batteries to charge them. You don't do that in your car and you don't need to do it on the boat either. Keep the engine starting battery OUT of this audio power system and don't even think about trying to charge those batteries from the engine.

 

[Tailguner]

Re: Deep Cycle Electrical System Setup

If you want a system that is going to last the longest my suggestion is to install four 6 volt batteries (golf cart batteries) with a minimum of 220ah ratings for each battery. You can install a battery isolator to handle the charging but you will mostly like have to recharge them on a land line as the boat alternator will not be able to charge that big of a battery bank unless you cruise around for oh i dont know maybe 40 hours..lol...use google to find wakeboarding sites these guys usually run huge systems in fact my friend has six 6 volt batteries in his boat and it does last all day thumping pretty good. The 6 volt batteries from costco seem to work well. keep in mind each 6 volt battery weighs about 65 lbs each or more.Be courteous to your fellow boaters and have a good time.

 

[wcniedba]

Re: Deep Cycle Electrical System Setup

Sorry for the wrong forum. I looked for an electrical forum initially but couldn't find one. As for the system size, it's a 500W Amp and a 200W sub. Not that I intend to blast this at 1,000dB - it's more an issue of running all day (8 hrs) without recharging, plus using things like blenders, etc. off an inverter.

So after connecting the batteries correctly I would need a distribution terminal for other items (i.e. amps, stereo head unit, inverter, etc.) to plug into correct? And when I get back to shore I can just attach the 20A+ charger straight to the battery terminals and plug it in without hurting any of the connected electronics?

Thanks - and sorry again for wrong section!

 

[rallyart]

Re: Deep Cycle Electrical System Setup

You connect the 12V batteries in parallel to run your accessories/stereo. You want an isolated battery that runs your ignition, fuel, and starter. If you run the stereo down you still want to make it home. You want an automatic charger to run overnight so that you could leave it on for days if you aren't out, and not damage the batteries.
Tailgunner has a good idea.

 

[Tailguner]

Re: Deep Cycle Electrical System Setup

Sorry for the wrong forum. I looked for an electrical forum initially but couldn't find one. As for the system size, it's a 500W Amp and a 200W sub. Not that I intend to blast this at 1,000dB - it's more an issue of running all day (8 hrs) without recharging, plus using things like blenders, etc. off an inverter.

So after connecting the batteries correctly I would need a distribution terminal for other items (i.e. amps, stereo head unit, inverter, etc.) to plug into correct? And when I get back to shore I can just attach the 20A+ charger straight to the battery terminals and plug it in without hurting any of the connected electronics?

Thanks - and sorry again for wrong section!

well if you are going to be running an invertor as well you are going to be demanding alot from the batteries. google a site called the "12 volt side of life" lots of good info there. if you have not installed invertors and heavy demand wiring systems before then learn as much as you can about them. invertor will get wired directly to the battery bank you wish to use (make sure its a marine one with spark protection) check out a site called sonic electronics for fused distribution blocks for the stereo equipment