How many of you have 2 batteries on your toon?

[chrisg]

having replace the motor on my toon from an OLD 115 Merc, to a 60 BF, I figured I don't need the 2nd battery the previous owner had ( just to start the Merc.) I replaced all the seats, so I would have to figure where to install the 2nd battery ( and switch) If I were to add it back in. these are heavy duty ( and heavy) deep cycle batteries. I figured I only now need one.
I only have a normal radio, but did add head lights.

This would be the last thing I would have to add then it can be put back in the water. ( and the wife said thats when the next flood will occur!)

 

[imported_John o]

Re: How many of you have 2 batteries on your toon?

I've got 4. One starter, one house/backup starter and two deep cycles for the trolling motor.

I could probably leave the backup home but I wanted to be sure to never get stuck on the lake due to a dead battery. This also gives me plenty of juice for inflating stuff, lights, stereo etc.

 

[takirb]

Re: How many of you have 2 batteries on your toon?

I've got 2 but eliminated the switch. I have the ignition/motor going to the cranking battery and the radio and fuse panel going to a deep cycle. I charge the cranking battery before every outing and the deep cycle has yet to take a substantial drain. I like the piece of mind in knowing i have a cranking battery in case i do drain the deep cycle. I also have an emergency jump start for added comfort.

 

[onthelaketwo]

Re: How many of you have 2 batteries on your toon?

i have two...

Mainly to support my Sea-legs on second battery.

I have switch, but am switching it to a BEP VSR soon. I already purchased the VSR, just need to find the time to install.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: How many of you have 2 batteries on your toon?

i have 2. one dedicated to the motor, the other to trolling motor and house lights, radio, vhf. was glad i had 2 a few weeks ago. for some reason the motor battery went dead. just swapped places with the house battery.

 

[samm835]

Re: How many of you have 2 batteries on your toon?

I have two as well, once for cranking and the other is a back up and and I sometimes use it for my accesorries... I can move the wires back and forth...but mainly its for a back up starter battery. Trying to get jumped off on the lake can be hard....not to many boaters carry cables like they do in there car.

 

[curtiscapk]

Re: How many of you have 2 batteries on your toon?

I have two. Starting and accessory/backup.

 

[Mike722]

Re: How many of you have 2 batteries on your toon?

Just one but the lake is only 4 miles long and less than half mile wide. I figure I can always go to shore and walk back to the house.

 

[5150abf]

Re: How many of you have 2 batteries on your toon?

2 here also and they can be linked if something goes wrong, I just like the peice of mind that 2 gives you, it really reduces the chance you will get stuck on the water.

I river fish and am usually 2-3 miles down stream from the ramp so being dead in the water isn't an option, I have trolled back to the ramp but that was a real drag.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: How many of you have 2 batteries on your toon?

I have two on my pontoon. One starting/radio/live well/locator/lights. One large deep cycle for the troller and forward locator. A pair of jumper cables and a jump start box ride along. The situation is the same for the walleye boat.

 

[Frankenstien]

Re: How many of you have 2 batteries on your toon?

I carry 2, one is for the Starter, and usual accessories, the other is located at the bow for the Minkota.

 

[swmpman]

Re: How many of you have 2 batteries on your toon?

I have 4 on mine. One for the motor, two for the trolling motor and one spare. I have to ask a question, would you take your spare tire out of your trunk just because you got new tires? This is the way that I look at the spare battery.

 

[chrisg]

Re: How many of you have 2 batteries on your toon?

Well, I'm trying to figure if I should install the 2nd battery somehow and wire the radio memory wire to one to ensure it alway has power for the clock. I'll want to do this before putting the thing into the water, as I would have to crawl up under the pontoon.

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: How many of you have 2 batteries on your toon?

The best solution is to have two batteries with a switch and use the day of the month to determine which to run on. On odd days, use battery #1 and on even days, use battery #2. The switches are 'make-before-break' which means you will always have power to your radio memory wire.

And if you use a trolling motor, then one or two more batteries should be dedicated to it.

 

[chrisg]

Re: How many of you have 2 batteries on your toon?

Well, I put the 2nd battery in, and the switch. good thing I did, the battey was that was in there was DEAD! ( think the kid got into the boat and left the radio on.) So now there is an OFF position which disconnects both batteries ( I have one tied to the memory wire from the radio so it stays alive). now that I have the 2 batteries, and move one set of speakers into the back bench, the thing is ready for the water. and to see how my wiring holds up)

 

[TonyWinnisquam]

Re: How many of you have 2 batteries on your toon?

Hi all. I'm new here but I have been lurking for a while. I just thought I would tell a quick story about what just happened to me and my dual battery setup. I have a guest switch with a Batt 1 / Both / Batt 2 / OFF selector. 20' Playbouy with a 50 HP 4stroke Mercury Bigfoot motor. I bought it new in 2003. July 5th when returning to the dock I smelled plastic burning. WHAT THE HECK. After putting the electrical fire out and looking at what happened I found the voltage regulator got too hot and started the wiring on fire. After many phone calls and a Marine serveyor / examiner later I found out that this is a known issue with this type of setup and the Mercury motors. The voltage regulator basically takes electrical energy and turns it into heat energy and disperses it. Basically the VR does not get the needed air circulation. Apparently Mercury knows about this and had issued a bulletin (2005-09). Mercury also has since changed the design of the exhaust cover and has a "voltage regulator kit" that contains the newly designed parts. New voltage reg, exhaust cover, exhaust gasket, plate, and a fuse has been added just in case.
Has anyone else had this happen to them? Insurance said they will cover the new wiring harness and installation but the "failed" component (voltage regulator" they will not cover. That doesn't make sense to me. Just looking for any thoughts or similar experiences. Thanks,

Tony D