2nd Battery

[The Bottom Line]

Ok guys here it goes. I've been trying to read up on it but cant find the answers I'm looking for.
I own a 1989 V20 with one battery located under the removable bait bucket located next to the engine. I have all of my electronics hooked up to it and plan on adding a few lights to my boat this year. I want to add a second battery and was just wondering where everyone has placed it. There is no room for a 2nd one where my battery is now. I was thinking about putting a second one in the cabin and connecting all of my electronic to that battery.
I have a 2nd deep cycle battery in my garage.
Would I be able to use that?
And do I need to put some kind of recharging system or alternator somewhere?
Any help is greatly appreciated!
Thank you in advance.
- Jim

[Destroyer]

Yes, your deep cycle battery will do just fine. If you place it in your cuddy just make sure that the primary wires coming to it from your alternator are of the proper size to overcome the resistance of the extra length. You should already have some kind of recharging system on your engine, so second things first... What kind of engine do you have? That will dictate what kind of alternator, where to place it, and if it can be replaced. As to the do you need another one question, that depends on how much you'll use the batteries. So, if you are only going to use the second battery for some small electrical stuff, then you might not need to replace your present alternator with a bigger one. It all depends on the drain that your equipment will put on your present system. The easiest way to determine that is to add up the electrical requirements of all the different items you plan to power. That will tell you how much electricity you'll need, and conversely, how big an alternator you'll need to power all of it at the same time. Some items, like trolling motors, need large amounts of electricity. Other items like radios and fishfinders need comparitively small amounts of power. Your job will be to determine your maximum power consumption, and then size your system accordingly.

[step up here]

If you go to the second page of this forum look at the second thread
V21 DUAL BATTERY SET UP you well see three pages of info about your question.

[The Bottom Line]

Thanks I will take a look at the other page.

Destroyer,
First off, thank you for the great response! I have a VHF, stereo, a few lights and bilges. I want to add some more lights but I am sure they are not too much drin. My engine is a yamaha 130 hp.
Also, i saw your out of NJ. Where do you go out of?

[keepitgreen05]

on my step lift i have 2 batteries in the back center in between the bait buckets there is a little door and the 2 batteries and the bildge fit in there just fine and it is a short run of wire to the battery switch i dont know if the boat was made like that or someone put it in as i am 28 and the boat is 25 i dont know but they fit there just fine tomorrow i can put a picture up if you would like

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by The Bottom Line

Thanks I will take a look at the other page.

Destroyer,
First off, thank you for the great response! I have a VHF, stereo, a few lights and bilges. I want to add some more lights but I am sure they are not too much drin. My engine is a yamaha 130 hp.
Also, i saw your out of NJ. Where do you go out of?

I usually either launch @ Laural Hill ramp in Secacus and run downriver to the Staten Island/Sandy Hook area or I launch in Leanardo State Marina and run out to Sandy Hook that way. (Once in a great while I'll launch out of Atlantic Highlands). Either way I usually fish that area... either off the NY or the NJ shores. I used to live in Toms River, so I know the Barnagat Bay area pretty well, but it's been a while since I trailered that far down. (It's 90+ miles each way).

[The Bottom Line]

If you could throw up a picture that would be great I'm curious to see how it is set up so I can get some ideas.
Thanks