Dual Battery Setup on Mastercraft

vetndan · Criminal Joined: 25 Jan 2004 Posts: 58

Ok, I have a I/O in which I have installed a dual battery set up. By buddy who owns a 1994 Mastercraft Prostar 205, and wants to do something similar. The problem for him is space. There is very little room in the back of his boat for two batteries. Have any of you guys with similar boats installed dual batteries? If so, where did you put the batteries? Where did you put the switch? Pics would be GREAT if you have them. I have attached a couple photos of his battery compartment. The two batteries "may" fit back there, but I wanted to see if someone else has done it trick first. Then I can plagiarize/copy the idea......after all, it's the American way:)

P.S. - Yes, Plagiarize is spelled right, I spell checked it, but it does look wierd.

Thanks!

BIZ · Outlaw Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Posts: 184 City: Dallas

I put another battery in my ski locker that is dedicated to my stereo... And i have an automatic isolater (relay type) so it will automatically charge.

JR · Soul Rider Joined: 14 Dec 2003 Posts: 473 City: ATX

Put battery #2 here:

JR · Soul Rider Joined: 14 Dec 2003 Posts: 473 City: ATX

Under the observer seat.

I put my Perko next to the engine so that it is covered by the engine cover.

I also installed a dual battery charger under the dash...

wakebored · Posted: Oct 13, 2004 12:41 pm Post subject:

JR, Very clean wiring job. Looks sweet.

Brit Rider · Posted: Oct 13, 2004 12:54 pm Post subject:

JR, so do you keep them on trickle charge all the time?

JR · Soul Rider Joined: 14 Dec 2003 Posts: 473 City: ATX

wakebored - Thanks, a quickie job late last winer. Will be cleaning it up a bit this winter.

Brit Rider - I have my boat in a lift on the water, so plugging in the charger is no problem. I usually charge the batteries after use, and leave on overnight then unplug. If, for some bizarre reason I am not in the boat for several days or weeks Shocked

, I usually plug the charger back in for a few before I head out.

The charger has a trickle charge mode, so theoretically, I could leave it plugged in all the time, but that makes me a bit nervous...

nashvillematt · Addict Joined: 15 Jul 2004 Posts: 823 City: Nashville

I leave mine on trickle all season. I have never had a problem...except when the power is out on the dock. That has only happened once, and everything came out just fine. I think that is what the trickle chargers are made to do......

MS

JR · Soul Rider Joined: 14 Dec 2003 Posts: 473 City: ATX

nashvillematt,
Agreed on the purpose of the tricke charger design, I just don't feel good leaving my boat plugged into anything while I am away...

I will have nightmares of an electrical short and my boat on fire... Sad

nashvillematt · Addict Joined: 15 Jul 2004 Posts: 823 City: Nashville

I think about that also, but I am about 45 miles from my slip, and dont have the time to get up and charge before a day out. I have a secured slip where someone (supposedly) walks the docks every hour...So, if there was a fire or something else happen..it would be found before I burnt all the boats in the marina. I do have thoughts of something go wrong, but the fine folks at State Farm Insurance have me covered. I just pray that I have not jinxed myself by saying that about insurance......

I used to say that I can leave my keys in the car when at a gas pump....because "I have insurance"....My brand new Tundra got stolen right from under my nose last year when I went in the store to buy a drink.....this is in downtown Nashvegas..........

MS

JR · Soul Rider Joined: 14 Dec 2003 Posts: 473 City: ATX

nashvillematt,

Agreed on the Insurance thought process, but since I am so close I have chosen not to risk it. Prolly never be an issue, but I don't want to be the first!

Brit Rider · Posted: Oct 20, 2004 10:03 am Post subject:

nashvillematt, I sure hope you got a pay out on that, herein the UK that is a more and more common crime - now resulting in zero payment if your car gets stolen, I know someone it happened to and it left him financially busted after buying a new car. Sad

nashvillematt · Addict Joined: 15 Jul 2004 Posts: 823 City: Nashville

Yeah...I thought about that when it was stolen. I was in such a bad state mentally that when I noticed the truck was gone, I dropped my wallet and ran out of the store. Only when I came back in, did I find my wallet was missing and someone had turned it in....Wish the same came of the Tundra!
MS

roundbaywakeboard · Posted: Oct 25, 2004 2:43 pm Post subject:

That's low. Stealing is very low. I feel for you, buddy.