Here is my current setup:
Scout 187 Sportfish with Yamaha F115 4-stroke 1 Battery System with battery in starboard side stern seat
-Electronics currently installed:
4 Speaker Stereo system
Garmin 440s GPS/Sonar
Navigation Lights
Courtesy Lights
Bilge Pump
Baitwell Pump
I just got a new aerated baitwell that requires 12v power and I plan on installing a VHF radio in the very near future. Though I've never had a problem with my current power supply running from the one battery I would feel much better having a second battery on board. I am no marine electronics expert by far so I need some help in fine tuning the possible ideas I've come up with and even telling me if they are possible.
Idea 1. Mount a second deep cycle battery in the CC with an on board charger mounted to the top of the locker at the front of the console. That way I can run the wires for the charger down to the battery and run the wires for the baitwell aerator through the locker and into the console nice and neat. This way it keeps the aerator off the main battery and I have a second power source should I ever need it. The downside seems to be a lot of expense (batt and charger) to simply run an aerator.
Idea 2. Mount the second deep cycle batt in the CC and switch all of the electrical accessories to that battery that way the engine has it's own dedicated battery. Use the same idea of on board charging as idea 1 and plug it in when I get home. I like this idea except for the problem that there is no way to recharge the accessory battery while under way and if it dies I'm pretty much outta luck on using anything but the motor.
3. Move the main battery under the console and run them in a series so that both batteries can be re-charged through the alternator. This seems like it could be a lot of work and/or costly and I would lose quite a bit of space in the console though on the plus side I'd gain storage space in the rear seat.
4. This is the idea that I like the best but I'm not sure if it's even possible or if so how feasible it would be to do. Pretty much go with idea 2 and mount the 2nd battery in the console for all the accessories but also leave the main battery hooked to the accessories that can be switched over to in the event the 2nd battery dies. I know the make battery swtiches and I'm assuming this is what they would be for but like I said I'm no electrian.
I appreciate any ideas or feedback you guys have as my head is currently spinning trying to figure out what to do!
Scout 187 Sportfish with Yamaha F115 4-stroke 1 Battery System with battery in starboard side stern seat
-Electronics currently installed:
4 Speaker Stereo system
Garmin 440s GPS/Sonar
Navigation Lights
Courtesy Lights
Bilge Pump
Baitwell Pump
I just got a new aerated baitwell that requires 12v power and I plan on installing a VHF radio in the very near future. Though I've never had a problem with my current power supply running from the one battery I would feel much better having a second battery on board. I am no marine electronics expert by far so I need some help in fine tuning the possible ideas I've come up with and even telling me if they are possible.
Idea 1. Mount a second deep cycle battery in the CC with an on board charger mounted to the top of the locker at the front of the console. That way I can run the wires for the charger down to the battery and run the wires for the baitwell aerator through the locker and into the console nice and neat. This way it keeps the aerator off the main battery and I have a second power source should I ever need it. The downside seems to be a lot of expense (batt and charger) to simply run an aerator.
Idea 2. Mount the second deep cycle batt in the CC and switch all of the electrical accessories to that battery that way the engine has it's own dedicated battery. Use the same idea of on board charging as idea 1 and plug it in when I get home. I like this idea except for the problem that there is no way to recharge the accessory battery while under way and if it dies I'm pretty much outta luck on using anything but the motor.
3. Move the main battery under the console and run them in a series so that both batteries can be re-charged through the alternator. This seems like it could be a lot of work and/or costly and I would lose quite a bit of space in the console though on the plus side I'd gain storage space in the rear seat.
4. This is the idea that I like the best but I'm not sure if it's even possible or if so how feasible it would be to do. Pretty much go with idea 2 and mount the 2nd battery in the console for all the accessories but also leave the main battery hooked to the accessories that can be switched over to in the event the 2nd battery dies. I know the make battery swtiches and I'm assuming this is what they would be for but like I said I'm no electrian.
I appreciate any ideas or feedback you guys have as my head is currently spinning trying to figure out what to do!
