trying to set up stereo on seperate battery from engine.

[volleybiggs]

I want to set up my radio so it is connected to seperate battery. I have changed them in and out of cars but have not hooked them directly to a battery. Is it safe to connect the hot wire directly to the battery and the negative from the radio to the neg of battery?

 

[NYBo]

Re: trying to set up stereo on seperate battery from engine.

As long as there is a fuse (the convention is on the positive lead) close to the battery, it will be safe. However, you run the risk of creating a rat's nest of wiring if you run all the accessory wires directly to the battery. Exactly what are you trying to accomplish?

 

[volleybiggs]

Re: trying to set up stereo on seperate battery from engine.

I wasnt going to run the lights and other accessories to the battery. I have and I/O and just wanted to set up a battery for the radio. I was a little worried if I listned to it all day it may drain the battery. I have read about the thing where you can hook two batteries together and charge them both but knowing my luck something will go wrong for sure. WIth my boat running good and no probs I dont want to risk messing up the alternator/generator.

 

[flimsyjim]

Re: trying to set up stereo on seperate battery from engine.

You could install another battery in parallel which will give you more juice, but you still run the risk of draining them to the point that you could not start the boat (haven't run the numbers on how long that would actually take).
When I installed a stereo, I had the same fear over draining the cranking battery. I installed the add-a-battery system (Blue Sea Systems #7650) and couldn't be happier. This kit comes with a relay and a switch. The relay is what will help your situation, but I would recommend the kit since it's not much more $$$ and the switch is well worth it (don't have to mess with the battery terminals to disconnect the battery). The benefit of such a system is that when the motor is off, the batteries are isolated so the stereo drains the accessory battery and the cranking battery stays fresh to start the motor. When the motor is running, the relay senses a charging condition and connects the batteries in parallel so they both charge. The downside is you will have to fab up some battery cables (you could buy them, but they will be pricey... surprise).
If you really want to alleviate the battery juice paranoia, install a volt gauge to monitor one or both of the batteries.

 

[Art Bernard]

Re: trying to set up stereo on seperate battery from engine.

I recomend a dual battery set up with a rotary type switch. When starting and running the boat, set the switch to both and when not running the engine set it to one battery. That way you are only pulling juice off one battery for radio's and accesories and the other one will be fresh for engine starting.

Art

 

[Silverbullet555]

Re: trying to set up stereo on seperate battery from engine.

When I did our stereo upgrade I installed a second battery and an add-a-battery system from blue-sea. So far so good.

I cheated a little. The amps run off the second battery, but the deck runs off the main battery. Not too worried about it since I am not using the internal amplifier so there is not much draw for the deck on the main battery.

Just to be sure I havea voltage gauge wired in for the second battery. If it gets low I know it and can start it up.

never have had the second battery get low though.