Tige wiring question

[talltigeguy]

Here's one for you electronics experts out there: I have a Tige 24V with dual batteries (2005). I love my Perko switch, but it's not idiot proof. I am somewhat of an idiot. I enjoy listening to the stereo when tooling around in the garage. I also like listening to music while on the beach with the boat. Here's the scenario: I put the switch onto both batteries and then run them down while listening at the beach because I forgot to flip the switch. Maybe I am smart enough to flip the switch, but then I don't put it back after draining one battery and the dead battery stays dead. To make a long story short, I think the less things I have to think about the better. Why not take it out of my hands?

I want to install a 3rd battery to the system and use two of them for stereo and the third for exclusively starting. I don't want to have to worry about switching things. All 3 should charge when the boat is running and only 2 should discharge for any accessories being used without the engine being on. I think this little unit will solve my problems:
It's a High current solenoid that can be connected to the key switch to use either battery A or B depending on whether the Key is in the Accessory position.

What do you think of this idea?
http://www.stingerelectronics.com/web/prods/fans.asp

[talltigeguy]

This is the Solenoid:

[talltigeguy]

One of my first questions when looking at my system is what is already connected directly to the battery. I found only 1 item. Everything else goes through the Perko switch. What is this wire I found directly connected to the port side battery?

[talltigeguy]

Let me try a bigger picture:

[FKM]

That would be the automatic bilge pump wire. (So that even if your battery switch is off, your bilge pump still turns on if the boat gets water in it).

[raythompson]

Question on Batteries

On my new 24V both batteries are on the port side.

Where are the batteries located on your boat?

[talltigeguy]

I have one battery on each side of the boat. There is plenty of room for several batteries, though. The Perko switch is located in the port side storage locker.

[rushin]

That little tag on the bilge wire should say Bilge pump. Mine is identified.

[talltigeguy]

Rushin,

you see what I mean about being an idiot! Just kidding. The tag on mine looks like some sort of chinese characters. Now that I know what it says maybe I can decipher it.

No one wants to comment on the proposed setup?

[rushin]

After thinking about it more it may say auto bilge, either way it should say bilge something.

[jsz]

I don't know a lot about these but cant you re-wire it with the solenoid and keep it at 2 batterries. I've heard of people wiring a few different ways with 2 but i've never heard of 3 batteries. One battery dedicated for the radio should last you a while.

[TigeDuner]

I suggest the Stinger SR200 if you have multiple amp loads. Be sure to protect the charge circuit with circuit breakers or fuses also. I just checked out an install last week where 3 circuit breakers were installed; one after the main battery headed to the solonoid, one after the solonoid headed to the second battery, and one after the second battery headed to the amps. This setup does not need the perko switch and is done automatically when you turn on the ignition.
The SR200 really is a simple idea. When you are stopped and the ignition is off, you run off the aux battery only. When the ignition is on, the solonoid is energized and power flows across the solonoid from the alternator and main battery to charge the aux battery.
You should place the circuit breakers or fuses as close to each battery as possible. Also, it is suggested that both batteries be of the same type and size. I may not follow this rule and use a deep cycle for the aux battery and a normal battery for the starting circuit. Good luck.

[Tige M.D.]

we used a similar set up 5 or 6 years ago. we tried to make it as simple as possible. but simple is not always possible. i don't remember what brand solenoid we used but after a short time ( a season or so ) we started getting alot of calls from customers stuck on the beach with dead batteries. the solenoids were failing.
my point is, because it can be as simple as turning off the engine and turning on the stereo doesn't meen it is that simple. if the battery switch does not get switched at least what happened. if you end up with a solenoid and 3 dead batteries all you can do is scratch your head and look for a jumpstart. to me, simple is not always better.

[TigeDuner]

I agree that the simple way is not always the best way, however, if the solenoid fails in this case, the aux battery just does not get charged. The starting battery is unaffected and continues to be charged by the alternator. What do you suggest???

[talltigeguy]

JSZ,

One battery will last a while, depending on how loud and how much power you want to run. I currently only run about 1200 Watts RMS to my system. There are people who run much, much, more. If you visit Wakeworld.com and look at some of the discussion threads there you will find some extremists who run 9 batteries. I guess batteries also help for ballast. How else will I run the blow dryer, tanning bed, and blender? I have daughters, so I know these to be necessities.

Thanks tigeduner and Tige M.D. for your thoughts.