dual battery set up

[BLUEDOT]

My boat was set up at one time for two batteries, there are two mounting pads.
I know nothing about it, but there is a extra set of post on the battery that's in there now. What do I need to know before I go buy a set of cabels, and another battery ??
Is it that easy, just connect the cabels to both batteries and your done ??

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: dual battery set up

Do you need two?

Is there a battery selector switch? like this? http://www.iboats.com/Ignition-Prot...55804043--**********.690816119--view_id.39362

Do you use a trolling motor?

A second battery requires a switch

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: dual battery set up

And where do the other ends of the cabels go?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: dual battery set up

Here is a diagram for a dual battery switch. You will also get instructions with the switch.
ALL loads (accessories) as well as the positive battery cable from the engine get connected to the COM terminal on the switch. If you have an automatic bilge pump, it should get wired directly to the house battery. And if you had used the "Search" feature you would have found this and whole bunch of information on how to install dual battery switches and how to use them. In fact if you scanned down the list there are a couple of topics on the very first page of this forum.