Installing a second battery, what battery combo should I use?

[bobbobobbo]

I'm upgrading the stereo on my 97 sportster 1800, twin 717s. It will include 4 speakers running at 60rms max, as well as a subwoofer running at 175rms max, + anything else. I've decided to add a second battery in case I drain one sitting with the music playing, etc.

I've purchased the BlueSea add-a-battery. It should charge the starter battery initially then when full switch to the charge house battery. When the house battery drains it will not affect the starter battery's charge.


What combo should I use? A smaller marine starting battery, and a deep cycle battery for the house? Can the 717 charging system successfully even charge a larger deep cycle battery? Currently there is a dual-purpose interstate battery on the boat.

 

[RFoster130]

On both boats ive done an audio system in, i used a 24 series starting battery for #1, then a 24 series deep cycle marine battery for #2. The 24 series is just the size the boats initially come with. It can charge it no problem because basically its only charging 1 at a time. My setup hasn't let me down yet. On the current 2004 speedster, im running 8 Polk UM series 6.5's and 2 10" UM series subs. A single JL 700 watt amp powers it all.

 

[bobbobobbo]

I ended up grabbing two everstart batteries. A 16 series PWC battery and a 24 series marine deep cycle.

I'll be hooking up only the engines to the 16 battery. I figure two 717s, started one at a time, always charged and used for nothing else that battery should be plenty, anything else would be overkill/weight.

Then everything else (house) is hooked up to the 24 deep cycle.

Solid setup?

 

[Dr Honda]

YES... a 16 size battery will start 720 without an issue. So... on that point, you should be fine. The issue may be, that you bought Wal-Mart batteries that are know to have issues.

I bet 1 in 4 Everstart batteries don't work "out of the box".

Not trying to be a jack-off... just saying what I know.

 

[RFoster130]

YES... a 16 size battery will start 720 without an issue. So... on that point, you should be fine. The issue may be, that you bought Wal-Mart batteries that are know to have issues.

I bet 1 in 4 Everstart batteries don't work "out of the box".

Not trying to be a jack-off... just saying what I know.

This is the one issue i dont agree with ya on Tony. I am on my 2nd boat that I have put wal mart batteries in. The 98 was on its 5th season with them. Never had an issue. I just bought 2 when i did the system in the new boat. I got the everstart maxx. It comes with a 2 year free replacement. For $90, ill take that anyday. The only other batteries to match that warranty are die hard platinum that are 200+. If i get 4 years out of these and have to replace them, then get another 4 years out of the next set, im happy. Most other brands wont last that same 8 years. I even work for sears part time. As far as bad "out of the box". Just take em back.


To the OP, i personally would have gone with a full size battery. Just my .02.

 

[Dr Honda]

This is the one issue i dont agree with ya on Tony.

WHAT!!!!! Dissagree with me !!!!!!!


:ban:


(sorry, just kidding)



Well... there are 2 points.

1) The full sized Maxx battery is better, and they generally will work. It's the base model batteries that have the issues. Especially the powersports versions. Over the years, I can't tell you how many motorcycles have come into my shop with "Charging Issues" after the owners just installed a new battery. After checking the bike over... it was the 1~3 week old battery from wal-mart. So... I've had first hand experience (aggravation) with that.


2) I don't buy into the hype of the "Gold" or "Platinum" batteries. most of the time, you are basically just paying for the extra warranty. Right now... a group 24ms from sears is only $77. I can generally get 4~5 years without too many probs from a standard Die-Hard.



With that said... batteries are kind of my "hot topic". Over the years... I've had buddies who would baby along a crappy battery, and I was the guy who would have to jump start... or swap batteries to get them going. OR... the worst... getting ready for an off-road trip... and I would have to pull a battery out of one of my "Toy's" to loan to a friend so we could go for the weekend. (you have to understand, that I have a lot of hobbies, with engines)


So... when I have first hand experience with a bad brand... I will not hold back. Right now... that list is: 1) Wal-mart Everstart; 2) Cheif Auto brand (and it's other names) 3) Interstate. And mind you... this list isnt' from a single prob. It takes a few to make the list.

FYI... my issue with interstate is they last 6mo to a year. AND... they are expensive.


Anyway... it's just the way I feel. The savings on a poorly built "House brand" isn't worth the aggravation to me. SO... I know it's easy to take back the one that's "Bad out of the box"... but the fact is... you still have to take it back. I would rather pay a FEW $$$ more, and have peace of mind.



Foster and OP... on the other side... I too would have put in 2 full sized batteries... but the 16 will work.



As a final FYI... I am installing a second battery into the Islandia, and I am trying a new brand. It's a Duracell. They have a standard wet battery, and an AMG in the group 24. I will be trying the wet battery, and I will report on how it holds up in the fall. It's only a few $$ less than the DieHard, but that's not the reason. I just like to know what works, and what doesn't.

 

[docster]

The plus side to a Walmart batter is you can take it back anytime in the 2 year replacement period, even on Sundays and middle of night, and walmarts are everywhere so will only put a small hiccup in your vacation vs ruining it entirely.

 

[bobbobobbo]

Well I went to Sears, Walmart and Advanced Auto Parts. Sears only had DieHards, Advanced had some off brand, and Walmart had the Everstarts. From what I read the Everstarts arent that bad at all, a lot of people like them. So I went with them, the exhange policy is also a plus. Planned on piggying the small battery next to the bigger one, there's not much space as it is.

As I look now, the Marine Everstarts get great reviews, yet the Everstart Powersport (the 16 battery I bought, that I had to fill with acid) gets pretty poor reviews...

Decided return the powersport and order a solid Odyssey battery as the starting batt. http://www.amazon.com/Odyssey-PC625-Powersports-Battery/dp/B0000BYEXO/ref=pd_sbs_auto_1

 

[howie099]

I have purchased there power sport batteries at Walmart and they die much faster than other companies. If you have a bad one cut the top off there are not as many plates and not as thick in the standard Lead Acid setup as higher end manufactures . Maybe the sealed units are a bit better but I never have Power Sport one last over a year from them. They only give 6 months on them. Maybe the normal battereis are better but you can go to Menards are buy Exide brand which is 1 of the largest manaufautures of batteries in the world at a very good price. Usually right before the season they put marine batteris on sale for like $10 off.

 

[Dr Honda]

I have purchased there power sport batteries at Walmart and they die much faster than other companies. If you have a bad one cut the top off there are not as many plates and not as thick in the standard Lead Acid setup as higher end manufactures . Maybe the sealed units are a bit better but I never have Power Sport one last over a year from them. They only give 6 months on them. Maybe the normal battereis are better but you can go to Menards are buy Exide brand which is 1 of the largest manaufautures of batteries in the world at a very good price. Usually right before the season they put marine batteris on sale for like $10 off.

Thanks for backing me on that one. (I felt alone)


With that said... you pay a few $$ more, and can get a good battery. I run Die-hard almost exclusively. There has been more than one study from independant places, and they come out on top. And, the "Standard" versions are at nomral prices.

So... for example... the standard WET dieHard in my Polaris is 3 years old. I got it on sale at K-Mart, for under $50. So... for literaly $5~$8 more... I got more years, and dont' have to wory on the water.


Now... what I'm going to say is an observation from a lot of years, dealing with cars/Motorcycles/PWC/etc.....


The better the warranty:

1) The CRAPPY-ER the product. (They need a good warranty to lure people to buy)

OR

3) The more expensive it is. (You are basically paying for the replacement, like with "life time" brake pads)

 

[Dr Honda]

The plus side to a Walmart batter is you can take it back anytime in the 2 year replacement period, even on Sundays and middle of night, and walmarts are everywhere so will only put a small hiccup in your vacation vs ruining it entirely.

BUT... my point is... would you rather have a warranty... or would you rather have a boat, that can start when you are sittin in the middle of the lake????


So... spend $10 more, and have a battery that doesn't need a warranty.




OK boy's N girl's.... I finished my double battery install. AND, I decided to NOT buy the Duracell. there was a few reasons. 1) Sam's Club now charges a $15 core, that they didn't do in the past. And, since this is a second batt, I didn't have a core to give. 2) If you bought a DieHard on-line... it was 10% off. 3) I found a Loophole. If you order, and pay on-line, they don't charge the core. (that helps with the price) and finally 4) I bought a sears gift card from the local grocery store, and got the "fuel Purks". (that basically gave me a $14 discount)


So... I even upgraded to the heavy (50 Lb) Dual use Group 24, and it was $76 out the door !!!! ($90 with tax. Then subtract the $14 in free fuel) The 24ms would have been about $68 when it was all said and done.


The one I got was 565 CCA and 135 min reserve.



Here it is....

 

[bobbobobbo]

^^^ wow great deal and nice setup!!


Went ahead and returned the walmart powersport and went with a quality odyssey battery. (for the starting battery, and keeping everstart dc marine battery for the house)
http://www.odysseybatteries.com/battery/pc625.htm

Thanks for all the input! I'll be sure to update with pics of the install.

 

[Dr Honda]

Thanks.... and just to add to the FYI on my post: The main battery is a 27MS, and the house battery is a 24m (RV) battery. It's labeled as a deep cycle... but it can still provide good cranking amps if needed. So, it's a dual use.


You will be happy with that Odyssey battery. I had a buddy who loved them, back in the day. Since they are dry, you can mount them however you like. He was building custom sand buggies... so he needed to be able to mount them sideways. Not to mention, a small battery would crank a full sized engine.