Another Dual Battery Set Up Question...

[bcskypilot]

I am upgrading from a single stock battery to a dual battery set up. One for starting the boat the other for “house”. I've been reading the different battery post and have received a great deal of help from chpthril (Thank you again!)

Based on Mike's help and the post I have read I pulled the trigger on the Blue Sea Battery Kit and picked up the ProMariner20 3bank charger. It was priced the same as the 2 bank charger so I figured it couldn’t hurt. The battery type issue is still confusing though…

I currently have a 24 Marine Deka cranking battery that is on its second season. If I could keep it great but understand that I may have to add two new batteries and that they should match? If I have to replace the Deka I was thinking about an interstate 24 for cranking and a 27 or 29 deep cycle battery for the house battery. I cannot find a cranking battery bigger than a 24 in stock around the area I live. Can I mix the different sizes with the new kit and charger or should they all be the same?

So:

1. Keep the 24 Deka cranking I have and add 27 or 29 deep cycle battery for the house battery

2. Replace The Deka with interstate 24 cranking & add a 27 or 29 deep cycle battery for the house battery

3 My other option would be to by two 27 deep cycle batteries if they have to match. I could do the same for two 24's.

Any input would be appreciated and thank you again chpthril for all of your help!


Brian

[chpthril]

1) keep the group-24 Deka as your main cranking and add a group-29 as your house. The 29 is only a few bux more then the 27, nearly the same footprint, but more Ah's.

Since the new and old batteries will only be combined through the ACR when the engine is running, no issues there.

[lazer]

I did a lot of research and agree with chp. That's what I did this spring.

[bcskypilot]

So the group 29 battery should be deep cycle right? Thanks!

[JohnZ3]

House battery should be deep cycle. It will last longer. Get an AGM if you can. No maintenance.