Challenger 180 second battery question

[jeme]

Attached are some pics of where my current battery is, where did you all mount your second battery and if you mounted in front of the current battery where did you relocate the fuse box or that gathering of wires. Thanks for the help. Any pics would be appreciated!

 

[rcguy]

What year is your 180. My second battery is where your present battery is located. The factory battery is where your fuse box is and the fuse box is where the coolant bottle is located. My coolant fill is located on the back wall of the engine hatch. See post http://www.seadooforum.com/showthre...ger-or-other-sea-doo-boat&p=550261#post550261 for picture.

 

[jeme]

2012 is the year.

 

[jeme]

RCguy was it easy to add and do you know what the difference is between and add a battery switch and the 1, 2 and both switch is?

 

[rcguy]

Yes it was easy to install a Perco two battery switch. Just remove the old battery switch and install the new two battery switch in the same location.

 

[jeme]

Thanks. So did you ad a charger as well?

 

[rcguy]

Thanks. So did you ad a charger as well?

Not necessary to add a charger onboard. I have a charger in the garage and top off both batteries before I go out for the day.

 

[jeme]

Do you use two of the same battery or different ones?

 

[rcguy]

Do you use two of the same battery or different ones?

I used two (2) Walmart Marine Everstart Maxx 24DC Marine batteries. Installed in 2013 and still working.

 

[jeme]

Thanks RCguy. Now if I could get a pic of where people are putting their amps.

 

[rcguy]

I think the glove compartment is the driest place to install the amp. I only installed a new stereo, speakers and remote. The stereo was stock size and so were the speakers.

 

[jeme]

Thanks. The amp is too big for the glove box, is there space behind the glove box or dashboard?

 

[jeme]

Thanks. The amp is too big for the glove box, is there space behind the glove box or dashboard?

RC Guy, why did you do a plain switch rather than an add a battery kit?

 

[rcguy]

RC Guy, why did you do a plain switch rather than an add a battery kit?

Don't understand the question. This is the switch I used......https://www.amazon.com/Perko-8501DP...79928198&sr=8-1&keywords=Perko+battery+switch

 

[jeme]

Well I am just confused. I can do a regular switch and add a deep cycle battery for the amp and stereo or west marine sells a "add a battery kit".

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/blue-sea-systems---add-a-battery-dual-circuit-system--8646275

So my typical day may look like a 45 minute ride to a beach, stay at beach, listen to stereo for say 4 or 5 hours then drive back to ramp.

I am not sure which way to do this. I am told a deep cycle battery will need to be charged externally as the boat will not run long enough to charge the deep cycle battery.

So my assumption is with the switch I would start it on battery 1 and switch to battery 2 at the beach?

Sorry for my ignorance and Happy Thanksgiving.

 

[rcguy]

Well I am just confused. I can do a regular switch and add a deep cycle battery for the amp and stereo or west marine sells a "add a battery kit".

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/blue-sea-systems---add-a-battery-dual-circuit-system--8646275

So my typical day may look like a 45 minute ride to a beach, stay at beach, listen to stereo for say 4 or 5 hours then drive back to ramp.

I am not sure which way to do this. I am told a deep cycle battery will need to be charged externally as the boat will not run long enough to charge the deep cycle battery.

So my assumption is with the switch I would start it on battery 1 and switch to battery 2 at the beach?

Sorry for my ignorance and Happy Thanksgiving.

No you are not confused. You got it right. A deep cycle battery would be better for your HiFi system. Just top the batteries before you leave for the beach. Buying the kit or seperate parts is up to you. I did not use that West Marine relay or what ever it is? Just don't switch batteries while the engine is rumming.

 

[snikwad003]

So my assumption is with the switch I would start it on battery 1 and switch to battery 2 at the beach?

Jeme, I'm sorry to throw a wrench into your confusion, but I respectfully dissagree with rcguy. Using just the switch at the chill spot will work just fine however you could end up with 2 dead batteries if you didnt pay close attention to what you were doing by setting the switch to all on accident. IMHO the blue sea add a battery kit is the proper way to do it but you need to separate basicly every thing except the engines, running lights, and the horn from the starting battery and connect the other draws to the deep cycle "house" battery via a little fuse block, nothin fancy just enough to fuse your stereo, swim lights, etc. The kit is available with a charger and with out, personally I'll be installing the one with the one with the charger in my 2 smoker boat because my stator output is even lower then you guys with timing chains, valves and such, and im gonna add ALOT of stereo. It still comes with a switch for you to turn them on and off and combine them in an emergency. The real benifit is when you are crusing and the starting battery is fully charged the isolator sends power to the house battery charging it, BUT a well discharged battery takes hours to fuly charge. Also the ease of plugging an extension cord into the boat somewhere and walking away is a nice benifit to me, in my boat I have to move life jackets and stuff, then lift the storage tray out and lean down in there to hook up the charger, I would rather just plug it in in a easy to reach spot and go drink beer:cheers: My way is a little harder and more expensive than just a switch but it makes a true dual battery system. Sorry to rant, just some food for thought before you chew on some turkey

$80something online, no charger, need a small fuse panel
https://www.bluesea.com/products/7649/Mini_Add-A-Battery_Kit_-_65A

$165ish online, need a small fuese panel also
https://www.bluesea.com/products/7655/Mini_Add-A-Battery_Plus_Kit_-_65A

Sorry for the long morning post :willy_nilly:

Didnt mention that the isolator keeps the house battery from drawing on the starting battery while your jammin out on the water:cheers:

 

[rcguy]

The setup I presently use has worked for over three (3) years with no problems. I had the same setup with my 30 foot twin engine Trojan Clean Machine for over 15 years with no problems. I don't disagree with your setup either. There is always a better way to do things but I'm not sure your way is better. I know one thing, it is more expensive.

 

[rcguy]

On second thought, a automatic charging relay maybe a better way to go but it is something else that can go terribly wrong. For me the word "automatic" is a red flag.

 

[snikwad003]

I know one thing, it is more expensive.

For sure, more work and you need to dig into the boats wiring. The real difference is its automated

 

[jeme]

Thanks so much. Room is a consideration as you can see from the pics. I wonder if there is some type of quick connect connection for a charger so that I would not have to do the stuff sinkwad mentions.

 

[snikwad003]

https://www.googleadservices.com/pa...ahUKEwjNjcbax8LQAhUKOSYKHcRXBPIQwg8INA&adurl=

A few of these and you can sneak a little plug any where

 

[jeme]

Thanks to those who posted I appreciate your help. So I am going to need to move my fuse box but noticed it is not screwed down but rather held in by some type of nylon fastener?

 

[jeme]

Here is a pic of the nylon fastener, also could I mount the fuse box to the side of the engine compartment and could I use through bolts?

 

[jeme]

View attachment 38302