Battery Question

[H20SKIER14]

I currently have 2-optima blue tops with a battery switch powered by a 65amp alternator. I will be running 2-Syn 6's and a clarion amp for a total of 2400 watts. My question is do I have enough battery/charge to run my system??

[chpthril]

Is that 2400 watts RMS? I'm guessing you have one Bluetop as the starting and one as a dedicated stereo, or is the stereo drawing off both depending what position the switch is in.

Yes, it run your system, but for how long depends on RMS watts at what volume level (most use .5 volume when calculating), then how long you want to listen will determine how many Ahr's you need.

[H20SKIER14]

Yes I believe RMS, the WS's are 1000 a piece and the clarion is 400, with the switch I can draw off both to run the stereo. I guess my biggest question is will my alternator be able to keep up playing music if I leave the boat running, and should I put a onboard charging system on it for when I'm parked at home? Also, would it make sense to add another yellow top to have two for the stereo and one just for starting??

[chpthril]

Yes I believe RMS, the WS's are 1000 a piece and the clarion is 400, with the switch I can draw off both to run the stereo. I guess my biggest question is will my alternator be able to keep up playing music if I leave the boat running, and should I put a onboard charging system on it for when I'm parked at home? Also, would it make sense to add another yellow top to have two for the stereo and one just for starting??

My best advice, keep the stereo and starting battery isolated and not run off both when anchored, and therefor, you do not need to run the engine to keep at least the starting up enough to get you started to go home. If you need more play time then the one stereo battery will provide, then add a second dedicated battery in parallel.

An on-board charger is never a bad idea as a standard alternator will never recharge a depleted deep-cycle battery, especially with a short run back to the dock/ramp after a day in the party cove. Most of the time, the starting battery only needs a little maintaining when the boat sits for awhile, so a single-bank wired to the stereo bank will work for most, but stepping up to a bit more $$$ to get s dual bank never hurts.

Now, this brings me to my pet peeve, I hate Optomas. They have a poor amp hour rating to $$$ value as compared to a good ol' wet-cell marine deep-cycle. The other problem is that a typical alternator will leave them under charged as they require a higher charge rate to recharge as compared to a std battery. This is where the onboard charger will benefit for those that likes the "Tops" brand batteries .