Let’s talk batteries.

[funkster]

I’m going to upgrade my batteries before the summer. My 98’ SS came with an O’ Reilly super start marine battery. When I added a second battery and perko switch I just purchased the same battery to match. Since then I’ve added amps, RGB speaker lighting RGB interior lighting, depth/water temp gauge, 3 reversible ballast pumps and underwater lighting. I really haven’t had a problem with the boat not cranking but I also have to watch our accessories time out on the water. The only problem I am having is a low voltage beep on the perfect pass (upgrading to stargazer before summer) when I’m running multiple accessories such as pumps and music or lights and pumps. From the little research I’ve done the optima blue top keeps coming up as the leader. Any info on what you all are running or would recommend would be awesome!


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[wakejunky]

I have two starting batteries which I isolate when just sitting around listening to music (amps tied to 2nd battery) and then a relay that is triggered off the ignition that puts the batteries in parallel when running to charge up the 2nd battery. Always save your starting battery. But because you will need to charge your batteries while underway, you will need to have two same type of batteries. Deep cycle charge differently from starting batteries. I'm sure people run both types without problems but, if they are in parallel and not being charged one will pull the other one down.

[zigs]

Your batteries could be the culprit, but more than likely it is your power and ground cables that are running up to the panel from the batteries that are causing your voltage issues. Nautique ran smaller gauge wires from the factory then needed in those years especially if the boat has perfect pass. What does your voltage meter read with everything running? When I had my 01 Super AirAir if I kept turning on accessories blower, lights, etc... Perfect pass would eventually beep and restart. After I ran larger gauge wires from the battery, voltmeter would stay at 13.7 no matter how many accessories were on.

[MLA]

I really haven’t had a problem with the boat not cranking but I also have to watch our accessories time out on the water.

With a dual bank setup, you should not have an issue re-firing the boat.

The only problem I am having is a low voltage beep on the perfect pass (upgrading to stargazer before summer) when I’m running multiple accessories such as pumps and music or lights and pumps.

On older boats, we find wiring the perfect pass direct to the battery (single battery boats) or common post of the switch (dual bank boats, is better then using the helm fuse block. This often cures voltage issue. However, I would not rule out a voltage drop issue to the helm, cause by a poor connecting or undersized cabling.

From the little research I’ve done the optima blue top keeps coming up as the leader.

You need a new search engine Seriously. For an AGM, the optimas are ho-hum, especially for a house bank, when looking at AH v's group size and cost.

[funkster]

Zig, thanks for the info. Do you know what color the power and ground cable would be? Are we just talking red/black/brown? Any resources on here on wiring diagrams? What gauge wire would you recommend? If my memory serves me correct, I want to say my volt gauge normally is 12.5.

MLA, agreed. Like I said I’ve never had any issues cranking the boat even after chilling in coves swimming and listening to music. However, I just feel it’s always in the back of my mind. Even after long winters. Can you point me in the right direction what you would consider a top of the class marine battery?


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[zigs]

Zig, thanks for the info. Do you know what color the power and ground cable would be? Are we just talking red/black/brown? Any resources on here on wiring diagrams? What gauge wire would you recommend? If my memory serves me correct, I want to say my volt gauge normally is 12.5.


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There is just 2 wires coming from the battery to the fuse block one is red off the positive and the other is black off the ground. It is pretty easy to run them didn't take more than a half hour start to finish. I went with 6 gauge wire which is definitely overkill, but I think it was only 40 bucks for a package with 20ft of red and 20ft of black off amazon when I did it.