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    #1

    2nd Battery

    Adding a second battery as a backup and for running the stereo when parked...

    I had a gift certificate for West Marine (thanks to a Christmas present from the inlaws), so I got the Perko and the battery from West, but now I'm wondering if I should have gotten the battery from Costco and saved some of the gift card for other stuff.

    Any recommendations on what type of battery to add as a 2nd? I bought an 800 Starting battery. Maybe I shouldn't have 2 Starting batteries?

    Any gotchas to watchout for when adding the Perko? I was just going to follow the diagram that came with it, but I've never done anything like this before so tips are welcome.
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    #2
    Adding a 2nd battery and a manual isolator, such a aPerko type switch, is a great addition to a boat and very easy to do. IMO, every boat needs a 2nd battery.

    One thing I would suggest is using a deep-cycle as "House" battery and not a starting battery.

    A starting battery is like a drag car, it's designed for quick bursts of power such as the engagement of the starter motor. Kinda like the drag car running the .25 mile and then its done.

    A deep-cycle is like the Sprint Cup car set up to run 500 miles ad Daytona. It's designed to heavy but steady loads until it's depleted and then recharged.

    Will a starting battery run a stereo - yep, but wont last as long when being run down and recharged. Will a deep-cycle start the engine - sure will, no problems, providing it's not run low by the stereo

    The only other thing I would recommend, would be some kind of electronic isolator/Auto-combiner such as the Blue-Sea ACR. This allows the alternator to charge both batteries while the engine is running, but keeps the load on the "house" battery from drawing off the starting battery (Perko cant be in "Both"), when the engine is off. You can achieve the same thing with a Perko, it's just not automatic.
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      #3
      Thanks, chp!

      I was hesitant to go with a deep cycle because I wasn't sure if it would turn the engine over if I needed it to.

      I think I'm going to change batts. Thanks.

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        #4
        Definately go Deep Cycle. They have a cranking amp rating just like a starting battery and will turn the engine over just the same.

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