Dual batteries in a 2014 210

[frankie]

My recently purchased 210 has every option I would have ordered except dual batteries. It does have the pro sport battery charger which appears to me to be nothing but a shore powered battery maintainer. My question is do you feel I will need the second battery? I've historically liked the capability of having a second battery isolated to use for cranking if I wear the other one down cranking the tunes while the engine isn't running. Should I be ok with just one battery? If not, how involved is adding a second battery? I would think a battery box, some cabling, and a 1/2/both battery switch would be all that I need? Is there a how-to thread on this topic already? Any help is appreciated.


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[markj]

Can't go wrong with a second battery. Over the years, there have been many occasions where I would have been dead in the water without the second one and needed a tow.

[MLA]

"It does have the pro sport battery charger which appears to me to be nothing but a shore powered battery maintainer."

Yes, basically, it is. Its a Marine on-board multi-stage smart charger. Bare minimum one though. Is there something else you are expecting or needing?

"My question is do you feel I will need the second battery? "

Im a huge fan of dual banks, had one in every boat ive owned. 2 I built the 2nd bank and in the last, I add another battery to the factory house bank.

Basically yes, thats what you will need.

[Catalac]

If you only have one battery you could buy one of the lithium ion battery boosters, about twice size pack of smokes and 400+ cca, throw it in glove box.

[frankie]

If you only have one battery you could buy one of the lithium ion battery boosters, about twice size pack of smokes and 400+ cca, throw it in glove box.

That's not a bad thought.


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[migs]

They actually sell a 2014 210 without dual battery's?

[scottb7]

That surprised me...Is it an option for 2nd battery, but not standard? Is that the deal?

[frankie]

Yup it's an option. I looked at the dealer order sheet. My '03 had two batteries. But not the '14, strange. It can't be a big deal to add another one though. Is it? My '03 had one up in the bow and the other under the port side seat. With the factory dual setup are they right together?

I also like Catalac's idea of a li-ion boost pack though. Then I could use it elsewhere in the offseason.


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[shag]

I have always used a two battery system. Each time out I switch batteries = always have a charged back-up...

[josemolino]

It seems quite easy to install a second one. Just search"dual battery" or "second battery"
I got this post but there are more:
We live on a lake and put about 230 hours a year on our boat. Considering the time we are out and we run a sound system with 3- amps pulling 1200 watts plus a 3-pump ballast system, I will not go out on the lake with a single battery. We sit anchored or docked without the engine running and listen to tunes. A duel battery system is more than peace of mind if you run a big sound system it’s a necessity.
EXAMPLE: If you add 2-300 watt speakers and already have say 4-150 watt speakers or 1200 watts assuming you have the amps to drive them at 25% of their power rating, that’s 300 watts or about 25 amps, the RC or “Reserve Capacity” rating on batteries is base on 25 amps, the average “NEW” battery has about 130 minutes reserve capacity at 25 amps, so you can maybe use 60-80% of that and have enough to crake the engine or 70 minutes, and remember that’s driving the speakers with only 300 watts for the entire system, crake it up to 600 watts and a “NEW” battery is dead in half that time. If your battery is in poor condition, a good sound system could kill it in 15-20 minutes, if the engine is not running.

It’s not too cool having a dead battery and asking some Mastercraft to give you a jump. You can install several types of dual battery systems but I agree with liquid-diet, go with an automatic charging relay so you don’t have to remember to turn your switch from bat 1 to bat 2. A charging relay is simply a high amp contact set that when a charging source is available it combines both batteries so they will charge. When no charging source is available the relay opens so your accessories are only running on one battery and the other battery will remain hot for starting. Probably the best kit is available from BLUE SEAS, this kit has the battery switch and charging relay with installation instructions: http://bluesea.com/files/resources/i.../990310020.pdf
My 230 came with dual batteries and a switch so all I had to add was the charging relay.
If you go the duel battery route, be sure your wire size is #2 minimum depending on the length of run and properly attach the terminal ends and fuse as required.