Prepare Me For Battle--HAVE to 2nd Battery

[Jeff T]

Originally posted by R&T Babich
Charging - there are several devices on the market. I used the cheapo isolator method for 5 years with no problems. Get a good one, twice the alt amps.

Anyone know what the alternator amp rating is for an 05 22v w/ 315 Merc?

[TigeDuner]

I used the local battery retailer to make up my cables and crip on the correct ends. All I needed I to do was shrink wrap the cable ends red or black since the larger stranded cables were only available in black (welding lead cable). Or you can go to a high end stereo retailer and pay through the nose for exotic colored cables. Good luck

[Jeff T]

Originally posted by Jeff T
Anyone know what the alternator amp rating is for an 05 22v w/ 315 Merc?

I read 65 in THIS post. Can anyone confirm?

[lee]

Originally posted by Jeff T
I read 65 in THIS post. Can anyone confirm?

That should be correct.

[Moki]

chpthrl,
Did you use a 2 battery isolator since your deep batteries are wired in parallel or did you use a 3 battery isolator? Also, did you add the optional circuit breaker? Last question 70 amp or did you go higher?

Thanks for the great information and links!

[chpthril]

Originally posted by Moki
chpthrl,
Did you use a 2 battery isolator since your deep batteries are wired in parallel or did you use a 3 battery isolator? Also, did you add the optional circuit breaker? Last question 70 amp or did you go higher?

Thanks for the great information and links!

I kept it cheap, I left the 2 batt ISO from the factory. If were starting from scratch, I would go with the 3 batt, as the price diff is not that much. That way, if any batt failed, the other 2 would not be drained.

No on the breaker. Up to this point, I have not added any new electronics, so everything is still running through the factory breakers off the original deep.

Can't wait for some pics man.

[Jeff T]

Originally posted by chpthril
Can't wait for some pics man.

Speaking of pics, does anyone have any pics of a 2 or 3 battery setup, with isolator and/or switch, breakers, etc?

I went out to the boat today to try to get a handle on the task at hand. I haven't ordered anything yet and won't until I know for sure the strategy. I did confirm that I do in fact have an on/off switch in the port side locker for the starter battery.

I was VERY discouraged after I left. I got down in the lockers, pulled off the doors to the battery compartments, and took a look. It is so tight that I can't really see much at all, little alone what wires are coming from where. I'm not sure where the proper placement of switches and isolators will be either. I do want to try to put the deep cycle battery on the starboard side of the boat (more room and weight distribution).

Here are two pictures that I got before my camera went dead (another source of frustration )



Is the positive cable coming from engine compartment coming from the starter? Where is the negative coming from? Anyone know why the positive wires are connected to the bolt that is thru the fiberglass (left side of picture)?

Also looking at chpthril's diagram, what is the gauge of the wires to and from the isolator? Is that one single negative cable that connects the starting and deep1, or two--one from engine to both batteries?

[chpthril]

Clear as mud, right !

My diagram was more electricly accurate than mechanicaly. My boat came w/ dual batts and ISO. So adding a 3rd batt was easier.
I'll take some pics of mine for you in the morning, maybe that will help. I think it would be easier (less wiring) to install your 2nd batt in the port side next to the starting batt. It's a damn tight fit, but you will have far less wire to pull (alt, isolator, battery, accessory powers, grounds). All of these would have to be re-run to reach the 2nd batt.

There will be a large POS from the starter to the on/off switch. from the switch to the POS post of starter.
The ground should run from the batt to an engine belhousing stud.
Your Alt cable could be the POS on the stud in you picture, if so, great!!!.
The wires from the Iso the batts are the same size as the alt feed, I think they are 8ga.

Here is what I would do: leave the starter wire from the starter to the sw to the batt alone. If you are going to replace the on/off with a 1/2/both/of, it will go in the same place so you wont have to move the wires. leave the ground as is.

locate and fallow the alt wire from the alt to ??? figure out where you can mount the Iso so that the alt wire can attached without having to replace/lenghten it.

from the two outside post of the Iso, you will need to run a wire to each Pos batt post( this is the charge wire from alt).

you can run the grounds 1 of 2 ways: run to the same engine stud as the starter batt does or run from the deep neg to the starter neg post.

If you are keeping the on/off sw, than you don't have to do anything more to the deepcycle POS but hook your accessories to it.

If you are putting in the 1/2/both sw, then you will need to run a cable from the deep POS over to where the switch will go. We will get to that hookup latter.

I hope this helped, instead of made it more confusing!!! Dont hesitate to ask more ?

New diagram:

[Jeff T]

First let me start with...I need to buy you a beer or six. Cold ones. Ice cold, frosty ones. I truly appreciate your time and effort. Your post definitely cleared up a lot.

I'll take some pics of mine for you in the morning, maybe that will help.

Definitely appreciated, but only if/when it is convenient.

I think it would be easier (less wiring) to install your 2nd batt in the port side next to the starting batt. It's a damn tight fit, but you will have far less wire to pull (alt, isolator, battery, accessory powers, grounds). All of these would have to be re-run to reach the 2nd batt.

I definitely agree and that would be my first preference. After looking today, I automatically assumed it would be impossible to fit both, especially if I need to secure it in a box. I guess I could turn the battery longways instead of leaving it perpendicular to the boat. Is this how yours is setup? This leads me to another question: Do you have all of your batteries in a battery box? Are they all secured in some way so they don't slide/tip? If so, how did you secure?

Your Alt cable could be the POS on the stud in you picture, if so, great!!!.

Is this in reference to my question:

Anyone know why the positive wires are connected to the bolt that is thru the fiberglass (left side of picture)?

The wires from the Iso the batts are the same size as the alt feed, I think they are 8ga.

I'm not sure what you mean by "feed". Are you referring to the pos from the alternator to the iso? That wire is the same gauge as the wire from the iso to the pos battery terminals?

Another question. From reading this thread and others, I understand that it is okay to mix deep and starter batteries. Is it okay to mix wet and gel?

Thanks again!!

[Moki]

Originally posted by chpthril
I kept it cheap, I left the 2 batt ISO from the factory. If were starting from scratch, I would go with the 3 batt, as the price diff is not that much. That way, if any batt failed, the other 2 would not be drained.

No on the breaker. Up to this point, I have not added any new electronics, so everything is still running through the factory breakers off the original deep.

Can't wait for some pics man.

My boat has it gotten all its holes filled in from the old tower and the tower is getting powder coated. They ordered my speakers, I ended going with Wetsounds. I am also adding some tower lights, a tower mirror, and 2 wakeboard racks. If everything works out, I am going to meet Mike from Xplosion in Las Vegas to pick up the boat. Maybe you could fly out again I will post some pics as soon as it is done. Can't wait to see you guys again at the next Nevada/Utah reunion!

[chpthril]

I definitely agree and that would be my first preference. After looking today, I automatically assumed it would be impossible to fit both, especially if I need to secure it in a box. I guess I could turn the battery longways instead of leaving it perpendicular to the boat. Is this how yours is setup? This leads me to another question: Do you have all of your batteries in a battery box? Are they all secured in some way so they don't slide/tip? If so, how did you secure?

I would recommend putting the batteries in boxes and secureing them. You could go ahead and get a box or two and dry fit them to see which way the will both fit, making sure that cables will reach and you can get the box tops on/off

[chpthril]

quote:
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Your Alt cable could be the POS on the stud in you picture, if so, great!!!.
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Is this in reference to my question:

quote:
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Anyone know why the positive wires are connected to the bolt that is thru the fiberglass (left side of picture)?

Yes, if that is the charge wire from the Alt to the Batt, then that is where i would mount the Iso. That would leave you to run only 1 new wire from the Iso to the Deepcycle Pos.

[chpthril]

I'm not sure what you mean by "feed". Are you referring to the pos from the alternator to the iso? That wire is the same gauge as the wire from the iso to the pos battery terminals?

Sorry, I am referring to the Alt output wire that runs to the battery(s) to charge them.

[Jeff T]

Awesome! Thanks a TON!!

What kind of deep cycle do you run? Is your isolator mounted to the fiberglass?

[chpthril]

Another question. From reading this thread and others, I understand that it is okay to mix deep and starter batteries. Is it okay to mix wet and gel?

It's best to stay with batteries with the same construction, ie wet, dry, etc.

Here is where my factory ground is connected. My starter and deep NEGs were already parallel, so it was easier to just run the new deepcycle neg in parallel to the othe deep.