Are Kinetik Batteries worth the price?

[ers906]

flaudia
Do you try to recharge off your alternator or do you have a separate charging system independent of your engine.
I want to run a battery bank combiner which will allow me to charge the starting battery first and then once that is charged up switch to charge the house battery bank. Do you have any experience with solar chargers as well?

[flaudia402]

I've got a total of four batteries in the both. Each pair is wired parallel. One pair for my stereo and the other pair for my starting (I know for starting it isn't really ideal but there was more room on that side of the boat so I just stuck it there - I always keep the Perko switch on both anyway).

As far as keeping the batteries charged - I just hooked them up this past weekend and am looking for an onboard battery charger. I'm pretty intuitive as far as keep my voltage high and turning the stereo down if I see it dropping. I also don't sit around for hours on end blasting my stereo at the island. Since I keep my boat in my enclosed boat dock on the water I'm able to plug in the charger and keep the batteries fresh - this keeps my alternator from working hard. The only time your alternator is going to be sweating is if your batteries all are under charged and it's trying to get them back up to speed.

I have no experience with solar chargers. I follow what I've seen has worked for others. The tried and true methods are always the best bet. If you want to be innovative though, go for it! I'd love to see your project.

[ers906]

Thanks flautia, I will definitely keep you informed with my solar project. I have a couple of inquires on other forums so we will see what people suggest. There is definitely a lack of spae on the nautique, so I may just take this research and use it on my pontoon boat. The best of both worlds.

By the way Chatt, I saw your post on the girls you take to the lake. very impressive. I should have quite a few to add as the weather improves (that is if I get my lazy butt off the couch and start getting back in shape).