Need Help adding a second battery

[Methu969]

After last years dead battery episodes I decided to add a second battery and purchased the Blue Sea Add a Battery System. Problem I am having is setting this up with my current single battery configuration. Here is what I have.


Neg Cable is coming from the engine block to the Neg Battery terminal. There are a few smaller ground wires connected to the Neg terminal as well. On the Neg battery terminal I also have a good size Pos wire going to stereo amps

Pos cable coming from the starter (smaller cables goes from starter to Alternator) to the existing battery cut off switch. Out the other side of the battery cut off switch I have a 2 Pos wires coming out. One goes to the battery and a smaller one goes to a Pos distribution block, which has other smaller Pos wires going to who knows where. On the Pos battery terminal I also have a good size Pos wire going to stereo amps.


Question is how to reconfigure for the Add a Battery system, the diagram they sent is lacking in my opinion, but then again I am a novice at this.

[chpthril]

Does your boat have a simple ON/OFF swith installed now? Did the Add-a-battery come with the same ON/OFF or a 1/2/Both/OFF switch?

[Methu969]

Add a battery came with OFF/1/2/both switch.

[chpthril]

After last years dead battery episodes I decided to add a second battery and purchased the Blue Sea Add a Battery System. Problem I am having is setting this up with my current single battery configuration. Here is what I have.


Neg Cable is coming from the engine block to the Neg Battery terminal. There are a few smaller ground wires connected to the Neg terminal as well. On the Neg battery terminal I also have a good size Pos wire going to stereo amps

Pos cable coming from the starter (smaller cables goes from starter to Alternator) to the existing battery cut off switch. Out the other side of the battery cut off switch I have a 2 Pos wires coming out. One goes to the battery and a smaller one goes to a Pos distribution block, which has other smaller Pos wires going to who knows where. On the Pos battery terminal I also have a good size Pos wire going to stereo amps.


Question is how to reconfigure for the Add a Battery system, the diagram they sent is lacking in my opinion, but then again I am a novice at this.

*Batt2 Neg - can go to Batt1 neg or engine block
*Batt2 Pos - you will need one 2/0 gauge from battery to the "Batt2" post on battery switch, and a 4ga to the terminal B on the ACR.
*Starter wire from original switch should go from the starter to the Comm terminal on the new switch.
Batt1 Pos will got from the original switch to Batt1 terminal on the new switch.

Next, I would recommend moving all the accessories, stereo/amps, lights, blower, etc, from the original Batt1 to the new Batt2 so they pull directly from the ACC House battery. The ACR (auto combining relay) will allow the Batt2 to charge while engine running and keep the Batt1 in reserve for starting while you play the tunes all day.

From what I hear Blue Sea has a great customer service line, dont hesitate to call them either.

[Moki]

What ever Chpthrl says. He helped me add two additional batteries and it has worked beautifully. I named my two extra batteries after him, "cheap" and "thrill".

If your kit did not come with an isolator, get one and add it. It keeps your good batttery from being drained by the bad one.

[Methu969]

thanks, will give it a try!!

[Domsz06]

What ever Chpthrl says. He helped me add two additional batteries and it has worked beautifully. I named my two extra batteries after him, "cheap" and "thrill".

If your kit did not come with an isolator, get one and add it. It keeps your good batttery from being drained by the bad one.

Your a Riot MOKI!!!

[Moki]

Thanks Dom! With all my free time now, I can come up with witty posts

[Domsz06]

Thanks Dom! With all my free time now, I can come up with witty posts

why do you have all kinds of free time?

[Moki]

I got laid off of my job on Oct 31st. I am in the process of starting a new company, but we are still in the very early start-up phase, so I have some extra time.

[Jason B]

The Blue Sea Add-a-battery switch is On/Off/Both you should not have a selector for the 1/2 batteries. The isolator automatically cuts power from the starting battery so it can not drain down when the house battery is used.

The diagram provided and the instructions they give will work beautifully. They are a bit confusing, but if you go step by step and do one wire run at a time exactly as they have in their diagram you will be fine. Just remeber to use adequate gauge wire for your runs. I used all 0 guage just to be safe and it helped me avoid confusion about which run needs what size.

[MoneyPity]

Blue Sea makes a great ACR that does not have the diode drop problem typical of solid state isolators. It was discussed last spring by Phil and chpthrl in the May and April timeframes. Search in Stero discusion for Blue Sea ACR Unlike the solid state devices this one does not loose .7vdc due to switching diodes so you actually can get your batteries to full charge.

See link from Blue Sea. These people will help you step by step.
Between them, chpthrl and philwsailz they will get you setup in no time at all.

http://bluesea.com/category/2

[Razzman]

The Blue Seas system utilizing the 7610 ACR & 5511e switch is the way to go for a worry free system.

[chpthril]

^^^ Good looking, clean setup, Razz

[dogbert]

^^^ Good looking, clean setup, Razz

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