Second Battery Vs. Portable Jumpstarter

[Excel94]

I definitely more comfortable with nuts and bolts than I am with amps and volts. So, I want you guys to give me a sanity check here.

Yesterday, we had a dead battery on the lake. Turns out I threw the alternator belt, did not keep my eye on the volt meter and after a long day on the water you can guess the rest.

As I see it my options are
A) second battery, perco type switch and islolater
B) second battery, perco switch no isolater
C) portable jump starter like this one
http://www.amazon.com/Jumpstart-9906...=pd_sbs_auto_1

I have a 1994 Excel, without an upgraded stereo. I just want to avoid getting stuck somewhere in the future. Option A is about $300, option B is about $175 and option C around $125.

Any reason not to go with option B or C?

[DanielC]

To be honest with you, if you threw a belt again, I think both batteries would go dead, it would just take longer, unless the second battery was completely isolated from the system, and then there is a fair chance the second would be dead, because it was not used.
My opinion, Get a jump box.

Or just keep an eye on the belt. You need to go under the engine cover to check the oil, clean the raw water strainer, smell for gas leaks anyway. I do not know where the drain plug is on your boat, but on my Ski Nautique, when I am putting the plug in, under the engine, I push on the belts to see how loose they are.

For $125, you could just buy several new belts, and put a new on on every year.

[gride300]

jump box FTW. i keep one in my truck at all times and just throw it in the boat when i launch. being towed sucks. if you look around you can find really small ones that pack a nice punch.

[Rick]

Jump Box

I have had a Solar 2500 jump box for 5 years now. I have used it more than a dozen times including running all the way from Emerald bay to Homewood at Tahoe due to a bad battery cell. I wouldn't leave the dock without it. All the parts are replaceable including the battery so it should last forever. Here is the link. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...T4P5FQ50TT27R8

[Excel94]

Thanks guys,

Looks like I've got my answer, a portable jump-start box is in my future.

Tim