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Embarrassing at the Ramp Yesterday

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    #1

    Embarrassing at the Ramp Yesterday

    So I've been in El Salvador for the past two weeks and decided to take the boat out last night after work. I used the boat 4 days before my plane left...so thats about 3 weeks without taking the boat out.

    I filled up the boat and truck; we got the the boat ramp and put the boat in the water and click, click, click, click......MOTHER F-ER. I forgot to disconnect the battery (I've only got one) while I was gone. Usually I do, but this time I forgot.

    So that was the end of the day. I didn't feel like dropping $115 for a battery at the marina (it was already late and kind of windy). So we headed home.

    On the drive home I starting thinking...I really should have a spare battery (at least in the truck). Maybe I should look into installing a second battery in the boat. What do you guys think? How hard is it to install a second battery? I'm assuming I need a second battery box, a Perko switch, and some extra wires. Has anyone with the early model closed bow boats done this?

    But we did get home and BBQ some amazing home made bacon, avocado, cheese burgers. And the propane went out on us so we fired up the charcoal and finished them off.

    What a DAY...I was so happy to get to bed and go to sleep!!
    Tags: None
    #2
    It's easy to install a 2nd battery. The cheapest route will be to use a Perko battery switch. That way, all you gotta do is turn the switch off when you're not using it. You'll need the following:

    1 Perko switch
    1 battery box
    1 starter battery (I get mine at Walmart...they last just as long)
    1 2/0 black battery cable with connectors to join the 2 negative battery
    2 2/0 red battery cables with connectors run to each positive terminal and to the poles on the Perko switch

    Then move all the things attached to the positive terminal on your original battery to the center of the Perko switch, with the exception of the bilge pump.

    I ended up adding an on-board charger as well so i can charge my batteries when I'm not using them. It does make them last longer. The on-board charger should get wired directly to the battery terminals. I turn my switch off when charging...just to be safe (I'd hate for an electrical storm to fry all my electronics).

    The length of the battery cables will vary according to your installation.

    chpthril can tell you how to take it to the next level with a battery isolator, but that's going to be more money.
    Cursed by a fortune cookie: "Your principles mean more to you than any money or success."

    Comment

      #3
      Originally posted by dogbert View Post
      I turn my switch off when charging...just to be safe (I'd hate for an electrical storm to fry all my electronics).
      Oh. Good idea. I should be doing that.

      Comment

        #4
        Installing a new battery is a snap. If you don't want to deal with that go get a portable battery back up jumper thing--the kind they sell at Pep Boys. Then when you need it you have it, it'll come in and out of the boat when you don't want it in there and you don't have to touch any install until you hit the dead battery situation--just takes 30 seconds to connect and start your boat.
        Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?

        Comment

          #5
          btw: that's not embarrasing

          I expected something good--like you ran over someones dog on the ramp, or launched with the transom straps on.....
          Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?

          Comment

            #6
            You still have to remember to turn off the Perko switch when not in use...
            If its not fun, Why do it?

            Comment

              #7
              Ah don't be embarrassed. For anyone that has ever owned a boat it has happened to all of us at one time or another.


              Originally posted by Jason B View Post
              btw: that's not embarrasing

              I expected something good--like you ran over someones dog on the ramp, or launched with the transom straps on.....
              That reminds me of the first time I got my RZ2. It was my first time launching it and I was super nervous. Brand new boat and I had a few adults and kids on board. My brother in law backs it down and for some reason I can't get the boat off the trailer. After about a minute or two of trying to figure it out I realized I left the straps on. Good thing it was during the week after work so the ramp wasn't busy.

              Comment

                #8
                I keep my stereo on while I wipe down the boat. That way I never forget to turn off the switch. I can't tell you how many times I have jump out to throw the cover on then jumped back in when I heard the stereo playing

                Later

                Bakes

                Comment

                  #9
                  Originally posted by Jason B View Post
                  btw: that's not embarrasing

                  I expected something good--like you ran over someones dog on the ramp, or launched with the transom straps on.....
                  it seems like I launch w/transom straps on once a month!!

                  Comment

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