stereo install

[john lamon]

I'm installing a stereo in my Eluder and wondering if I should add a second battery, it will have 2 6x9s, 2 6.5s and 10 inch sub with 300 watt amp, not sure if the charging system on my 220 EFI wiil keep up? if I need a second one should I have it hooked to the charging system, or have the stereo wired to it independently and charge it at the dock with charger? anyone done this?
Ive got everything out of the back now to make room for my new fuel tank so now would be the time to add a battery if I need too.
thanks.

 

[justincase]

yes second battery, and i just use it for the stereo and charge it with a battery charger.

 

[dogschool]

2 batteries is a must! Get a battery switch. I start mine on all
(or both) and run on both so that the alternator charges both
but when we are playing the stereo and running the amps without
the motor running I switch it to battery 2, when it runs down I
still have a fully charged battery to start the boat and when out
running it charges the other back up. That's how I do it and it works
for me

 

[justincase]

2 batteries is a must! Get a battery switch. I start mine on all
(or both) and run on both so that the alternator charges both
but when we are playing the stereo and running the amps without
the motor running I switch it to battery 2, when it runs down I
still have a fully charged battery to start the boat and when out
running it charges the other back up. That's how I do it and it works
for me

Thought about that but didnt know if an o/b would charge enough.

 

[dogschool]

Thought about that but didnt know if an o/b would charge enough.

Hmm..good point! I don't know that answer.

 

[john lamon]

Thought about that but didnt know if an o/b would charge enough.

That's what I'm wondering, where I park my boat in the water I already have a plug in so it would be easy to charge with charger, but on a sat or sun we might go boating for an hour, park for an hour and do that all day so it could be a pain in the a$$, I'd prefer to wire it to the charging system but not if it's going to leave me dead in the water, should probably just use charger.

 

[justincase]

On my system with an amp i run it off of a seperate and just charge it when i get home

 

[ross]

On my system with an amp i run it off of a seperate and just charge it when i get home

2 batteries......with a switch! while running use (both) on the switch....an outboard won't charge unless you are over 3000rpm(i think). when you stop and run the system,turn the switch to just one battery so you always have one to get home on! i do this and ALWAYS charge both batteries when i'm done for the night! for one reason- with low voltage, you can start problems with your electronics on your mota i found that out the hard way!

my .02 cents for what it's worth

 

[justincase]

Ross is correct an o/b wont charge till over 3000 rpm

 

[Check This]

This is a good thread -- Learned something new about charging and the 2nd battery just for the sound system is a great idea.

 

[Fastcheckmate175]

I have two batterys, both connected and only have an on/off battery switch! I park and run all day. When I get home I charge the batteries!

 

[fbpd227]

WOW! LOVE THIS SITE! Learn something new everytime I check in!!! Never knew that it took 3K to get to the "charge point"!?!?! All this time I have been starting mine on the hill to let it run and charge the battery- and all I have been doing is sucking it down more! LOL! Time to drag the charger out from time to time instead. This is a GREAT thread. I have been thinking about putting a stereo w/ amp in mine for next year- and would have just assumed my reg battery would have been fine and charging while "profilin" ( slow cruisin ) around the party islands.....Thanx guys!

 

[fbpd227]

2 batteries for me! I already have the dual battery switch- so now I know I need to fill the hole! LOL!

 

[illMATTic]

If that 220 EFI is a laser...... it will have a 40 amp charging system as apposed to a 16 amp on a standard outboard.

Most older EFI outboards require about 10 amps or more to operate. That leaves 30 amps for charging. Some older systems had a (1) 40 amp charge circuit. Newer units used (2) 20 amp charge circuits with 2 regulators.

This later type can be split. 1 used to run the engine/start battery and 1 to charge the stereo battery. Just ground them together. No need for a switch. They are two totally isolated circuits.

MOST carb outboards have a single 16 amp system. While running this will net you about 10-11 amps of charging. I think. Not much at all for two batteries.

At 3000 rpm you get full charging potential. Under 3K you get some but it is barly enough to keep the engine running. On MOST engines.

 

[justincase]

Thanks, Matt for clearing it up

 

[illMATTic]

I had to add my 2 cents.

 

[TheNerd]

I had to add my 2 cents.

That was actually close to 98 cents worth of info.

 

[fbpd227]

That was actually close to 98 cents worth of info.

ABSOLUTELY AGREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Jetmate]

Cool, This was a question I was thinking of asking. Now I don't have to. Lotta good ideas, guys, Thanks!

 

[john lamon]

Working on my stereo today, got the speakers and deck in, looking for a place to put the 10" sub in... any thoughts? It actually sounds pretty good without it, if I don't add the sub and amp will I be ok with only one battery? the only bad thing is I already bought it all, looks like it might be going in the pontoon boat if I can't find a spot to put it.