Tige wiring question

[talltigeguy]

Here's one for you electronics experts out there: I have a Tige 24V with dual batteries (2005). I love my Perko switch, but it's not idiot proof. I am somewhat of an idiot. I enjoy listening to the stereo when tooling around in the garage. I also like listening to music while on the beach with the boat. Here's the scenario: I put the switch onto both batteries and then run them down while listening at the beach because I forgot to flip the switch. Maybe I am smart enough to flip the switch, but then I don't put it back after draining one battery and the dead battery stays dead. To make a long story short, I think the less things I have to think about the better. Why not take it out of my hands?

I want to install a 3rd battery to the system and use two of them for stereo and the third for exclusively starting. I don't want to have to worry about switching things. All 3 should charge when the boat is running and only 2 should discharge for any accessories being used without the engine being on. I think this little unit will solve my problems:
It's a High current solenoid that can be connected to the key switch to use either battery A or B depending on whether the Key is in the Accessory position.

What do you think of this idea?
http://www.stingerelectronics.com/web/prods/fans.asp

[talltigeguy]

This is the Solenoid:

[talltigeguy]

One of my first questions when looking at my system is what is already connected directly to the battery. I found only 1 item. Everything else goes through the Perko switch. What is this wire I found directly connected to the port side battery?

[talltigeguy]

Let me try a bigger picture:

[FKM]

That would be the automatic bilge pump wire. (So that even if your battery switch is off, your bilge pump still turns on if the boat gets water in it).

[raythompson]

On my new 24V both batteries are on the port side.

Where are the batteries located on your boat?

[talltigeguy]

I have one battery on each side of the boat. There is plenty of room for several batteries, though. The Perko switch is located in the port side storage locker.

[rushin]

That little tag on the bilge wire should say Bilge pump. Mine is identified.

[talltigeguy]

Rushin,

you see what I mean about being an idiot! Just kidding. The tag on mine looks like some sort of chinese characters. Now that I know what it says maybe I can decipher it.

No one wants to comment on the proposed setup?

[rushin]

After thinking about it more it may say auto bilge, either way it should say bilge something.

[jsz]

I don't know a lot about these but cant you re-wire it with the solenoid and keep it at 2 batterries. I've heard of people wiring a few different ways with 2 but i've never heard of 3 batteries. One battery dedicated for the radio should last you a while.

[TigeDuner]

I suggest the Stinger SR200 if you have multiple amp loads. Be sure to protect the charge circuit with circuit breakers or fuses also. I just checked out an install last week where 3 circuit breakers were installed; one after the main battery headed to the solonoid, one after the solonoid headed to the second battery, and one after the second battery headed to the amps. This setup does not need the perko switch and is done automatically when you turn on the ignition.
The SR200 really is a simple idea. When you are stopped and the ignition is off, you run off the aux battery only. When the ignition is on, the solonoid is energized and power flows across the solonoid from the alternator and main battery to charge the aux battery.
You should place the circuit breakers or fuses as close to each battery as possible. Also, it is suggested that both batteries be of the same type and size. I may not follow this rule and use a deep cycle for the aux battery and a normal battery for the starting circuit. Good luck.

[Tige M.D.]

we used a similar set up 5 or 6 years ago. we tried to make it as simple as possible. but simple is not always possible. i don't remember what brand solenoid we used but after a short time ( a season or so ) we started getting alot of calls from customers stuck on the beach with dead batteries. the solenoids were failing.
my point is, because it can be as simple as turning off the engine and turning on the stereo doesn't meen it is that simple. if the battery switch does not get switched at least what happened. if you end up with a solenoid and 3 dead batteries all you can do is scratch your head and look for a jumpstart. to me, simple is not always better.

[TigeDuner]

I agree that the simple way is not always the best way, however, if the solenoid fails in this case, the aux battery just does not get charged. The starting battery is unaffected and continues to be charged by the alternator. What do you suggest???

[talltigeguy]

JSZ,

One battery will last a while, depending on how loud and how much power you want to run. I currently only run about 1200 Watts RMS to my system. There are people who run much, much, more. If you visit Wakeworld.com and look at some of the discussion threads there you will find some extremists who run 9 batteries. I guess batteries also help for ballast.:) How else will I run the blow dryer, tanning bed, and blender? I have daughters, so I know these to be necessities.

Thanks tigeduner and Tige M.D. for your thoughts.

[Domsz06]

Ok, if you want a simply easy solution here you go.

1) bring an extra battery and just use it for jumping only.
2) hook three batteries up using the same perko switch? run two of them in parallel on switch one, and the other one on switch 2. Only use switch 1 except when you need to jump and put it on switch 2 to start then move it back to 1 to charge. pull the one you use to jump out once a month to charge it with a battery charger.

Thats about the easiest way to be deat battery free.

Dom

[TigeDuner]

I like the idea of carrying an extra battery for jumping purposes only-just don't forget the cables and the monthly battery charge. Great idea and as you say - simple...

[Domsz06]

its what i'm going to have to do this summer since I added two amps, 6 speakers and a sub from last season. The alternator has a problem keeping up, well I think it doesn, turns out I had a loose wire, so who knows if it can do the job now, will find out soon though. I'll bring the batter, just in case, plus I didn't know but PP has a volt meter reading so I can see exactly how much juice the batterys have left so I can start it. I tend to start it every thirty minutes just incase:)

Dom

[TigeDuner]

Dom, have you considered a higher amp alternator?????

[Domsz06]

yeah i have, but i'm gonna see first if this one can handle it. I could never find one for my boat, just a custom made one and didn't feel like spending 5-600 bucks.

Dom

[TigeDuner]

Most alternator shops can "rewire" your alternator for more amps. Usually done in a day or so for a lot less than $500. I may consider this option when I add a second amp.

[Domsz06]

really? would you care to show/point me in the direction of a shop? I've never heard of this.

Dom

[TigeDuner]

Try http://www.alternatorparts.com. They have upgrade kits as well as new alternators.

[Domsz06]

thanks.

Dom

[scootc]

We carry one of these combo jump start/inverter/air compressor units from Costco for back up. It's relatively compact and has it's own jumper cables.
TigeDuner - Been to Roosevelt yet? We were there on Sunday. The lake looks almost totally different! Unfortunately my alternator seized so our boating day only lasted about 10 minutes.

[TigeDuner]

scootc, bummer on the alternator seize. Good idea though on the inverter from Costco. I will look into one of those. We plan to be at Roosevelt on 5/15 and then every other weekend at least through the summer. The boat is in Mesa getting a new tower and should be done by Friday, they said, and I hope.
We stay at the RV park so come by and see us or find us on the new lake. Martin

[scootc]

We'll look you up. Our next trip to Roosevelt will be May 7th.

[jsz]

Talltigeguy,

OK, I should not have said "NEVER" seen three batts. I know there are some out there that the stereo is worth more than the boat. I meant to say I think most guys with decent stereos can get it done with 2 depending on how it's wired. But if you went with 9 you'd probably be OK too.

[TigeDuner]

Originally posted by scootc
We'll look you up. Our next trip to Roosevelt will be May 7th.

We did not get the boat as planned. We now hope to get the boat this next weekend. If so, we will take the motorhome to the park on the 7th or 8th and be on the water the 15th and then 4 days over memorial weekend and the weekend after also. See you then. Martin

[GIZMO]

I went to Roosevelt this weekend, Its Huge! water temp was 70 deg.
Still lots of stuff floating at the south end. All the ramps I saw were in use. Its going to be a great summer at Roosevelt.

[TigeDuner]

Thanks for the update Gizmo-see you this summer