Second Battery for Stereo???

[signguy22]

So I had my new stereo installed along with a second battery. While crusing and jamming on the lake this weekend for the TX Tige Reunion, my second battery died, or lost enough power so that the amps would no longer all turn on. I had someone else install all of the amps and now I am going to have them rewire the battery based what you guys share with me. The second battery was just for the stereo, but never stays charged, is there a way that you guys can share with me, that the second will charge off the alternator and not constantly die? Please let me know what the best answer to this problem would be! Thanks!!!

[TRD]

Sorry I don't know the answer but here is a link, hope it helps:
http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3985

I would also like to ask, I have a friend telling me if I have the biggest battery I can buy the 2nd battery is not needed.

I do plan on adding a perko switch and a battery tender to keep the battery charged while sitting at the house. What do you guys think about this also?

[signguy22]

Thanks for the link....I have already read that thread and that is fine for just adding a 2nd battery. I want to have a second battery just for the stereo and keep the main battery just for the boat...I just need to know the right way to wire it so that it will stop getting drained and stay charged. Will I need to add an Isolator?

[chpthril]

Sorry I don't know the answer but here is a link, hope it helps:
http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3985

I would also like to ask, I have a friend telling me if I have the biggest battery I can buy the 2nd battery is not needed.

I do plan on adding a perko switch and a battery tender to keep the battery charged while sitting at the house. What do you guys think about this also?

TRD,

To some degree, your friend is correct, as it depends on how much time you want to play the stereo with the engine off. If your going to leave the stereo playing while trading out riders, of play it for 30 minutes while the kids swim a little, a 2nd battery may not be needed. So, it really comes down to what you want to do with the system, but for me, I wont own a boat without a back-up battery to start the engine (although a jump-box is cheap and work just fine).

Thanks for the link....I have already read that thread and that is fine for just adding a 2nd battery. I want to have a second battery just for the stereo and keep the main battery just for the boat...I just need to know the right way to wire it so that it will stop getting drained and stay charged. Will I need to add an Isolator?

That diagram is a perfect example of one way to solve your dilemma. I did that diagram to illustrate how to add a 2nd deep-cycle battery to the existing Tige EIDB system. All you need to do is ignore the 2nd deep cycle battery and its wiring.

Now, to answer your question in your 2nd post, yes, you will need a way to isolate the 2nd battery if you want it recharged by the alternator. This can be done manually, electronically, or a combo of both as I did.

A multi-battery switch, such as the Perko, will allow the Alt to charge which ever battery the switch turned to. With this method, you have to remember to rotate the switch as needed.

For a fully automated, no-brainer, setup, you need an electronic Isolator of some type. This will allow the charging of both batteries while the engine is running, but keep the electronically separated so you can run down the deep cycle "HOUSE" battery without draining the "STARTING" battery.

Hope this helps to clarify it a little.

[Jason B]

This is simple and cheap. It works like a CHAMP!!
http://bluesea.com/category/1/productline/overview/329

[Moki]

I used Chpthrl's diagram, added an isolator and put on a new high output alternator. But I actually have 3 batteries. One for the stereo, one for starting and one for back-up. I have ran my stereo up to 8 hours (engine off) with no problems. This is with 4 boat speakers, two Wet Sound 485s and a 12 inch subwoofer. I don't know how long I can go, but I have only had to charge my battery at the first of the season. Otherwise, it has been maintenance free. I am just using deep cycle batteries from Costco.

[dogbert]

Didn't you upgrade your alternator?

[Moki]

Yeah Dog, I did the 160 amp from the ebay store that Spharis hooked me up with. I had a problem within the first month and they sent me out a new one, so far I have about 100 hours on the second one with no problems.

[signguy22]

I used Chpthrl's diagram, added an isolator and put on a new high output alternator. But I actually have 3 batteries. One for the stereo, one for starting and one for back-up. I have ran my stereo up to 8 hours (engine off) with no problems. This is with 4 boat speakers, two Wet Sound 485s and a 12 inch subwoofer. I don't know how long I can go, but I have only had to charge my battery at the first of the season. Otherwise, it has been maintenance free. I am just using deep cycle batteries from Costco.

Moki,

Where did you install the 3rd battery?

[TRD]

This is simple and cheap. It works like a CHAMP!!
http://bluesea.com/category/1/productline/overview/329

Jason,
is the Blue seas just an isolator or does it work as a battery tender also?

Thanks

[Moki]

Moki,

Where did you install the 3rd battery?

I have two in the back on the port side and I repositioned my taps pump and put the third next to it on the starboard side.

[chpthril]

Jason,
is the Blue seas just an isolator or does it work as a battery tender also?

Thanks

Just an Iso.

[ragboy]

I have 2 batteries, perko switch that does 1, 2, ALL, or off. They are both the biggest marine batteries I could get. I have 2 10 inch subs, 4 JL audio separates, and 2 double 7 focal speakers on tower, all amped, plus 10 55w halogen lights on tower.

The key to getting everything to work well, was just making sure I had an alternator that put out about 150 amps. If I leave the radio on too long when sitting, I just switch to other battery to start. When I pull off the ramp, I usually keep the lights on the tower on, and stereo while we clean up and wipe off, which drains a lot. So I have one of these.



When I get the boat in the warehouse at night, I just plug it in. Makes sure I have both batteries in prime condition next time.

[Jason B]

With the Blue Sea System you need to switch nothing! Just an on/off Perko switch that does everything for you--unless your starting batt dies, then you need to manually switch to "both." That system allows my 2 battery "house" bank to be charged at the same time the starting battery is charged. When the house bank is drawing current the isolator removes the starting battery from the loop so it never gets used for anything except starting and non-stereo related accessories (bilge,blower,anchor lights....).
I also have the stock alternator. I have only had to charge the stereo batteries one time all year, otherwise the alternator has no trouble charging all 3 to 100% capacity during my normal driving. We typically anchor in a bay for about 3-4 hours average.

[talltigeguy]

I put my third battery just behind the cooler on the port side. That way I can run shorter wires from the amps to the first battery. It is at the front end under the longest seat of the port side.