Battery Setup for multiple Amps

[mfloski]

Ok, I am installing a Pergo Switch in my boat. One Optima Blue Top and one regular marine starting battery. I want the regular battery for back up starting. I am installing three amps that will total approx. 730amps RMS. I often run the stereo system for 2-4hrs without the boat on. IF I need a second optima to run the system like this, how do you wire two batteries together for a stereo system? I see all the time people hooking up like 8 batteries for there insane stereo system, but can not learn how to wire them together for this type of application. Can anyone help?

[MHayes]

RE: Battery Setup for multiple Amps

mfloski, you obviously understand the isolation of the stereo battery(ies) from the starting battery, which you've accomplished via the perko. To have multiple batteries for the stereo, you just need to wire them in parallel to maintain a 12 volt rating (i.e. postive to postive, negative to negative). Once you do that, they act as one battery with x times the reserve capacity. A couple of things to keep in mind, 1) the batteries should be of the same group type, 2) they should be of the same age. A new battery connected to an older battery will soon be drawn down to the level of the older battery and therefore won’t last as long. Hope this helps.

[surroundsound64]

RE: Battery Setup for multiple Amps

Check your PMs.

[mfloski]

RE: Battery Setup for multiple Amps

MHayes, So would a one yr old Optima Blue Top and a Brand New Optima Blue top work ok together in your opinion? Any way of determining if one is damaging the other?

[surroundsound64]

RE: Battery Setup for multiple Amps

I'd guess there is probably too much age difference. You could always take a voltage measurement across them.

[Mikeski]

Let's see if this works, posting a spreadsheet. I threw this together on Friday with assumptions based on what I know and what I have experienced. Check it out and send feedback if you would like.

Mike
mikeskiw@gmail.com

[surroundsound64]

Very impressive Mike

[Hydrofoilmaniac]

Nice spreadsheet. Can you send me the file?

[surroundsound64]

Nice spreadsheet. Can you send me the file?

Just click on it and click "save" instead of open.