anyone have suggestions for place to buy...and type of battery?

Good question. I bet i'll be in the market soon if I continue with my audio plans, I probably better buy a second.

I would recommend a second battery if you're going to add an amp.

I use a pair of AGM Die Hard Platinums PM-1.   They are super heavy and expensive but have performed very well.   I use a Diehard microprocessor controlled battery charger to keep them topped off.

I used to use the Die Hard deep cycle marine batteries and they performed well but only lasted 3-4 seasons.

If you have the room, I'd recommend a battery selector switch and a dedicated cranking battery.  For the "house" batteries, get a couple of 6 volt golf cart batteries at Sam's and wire them in series to make one VERY deep cell 12 volt bank.  If your biggest draw is tunes, you're good for all day.

My routine is to start on the cranking battery and run on that for warm up.  Then I switch to the house bank and run that way to my destination and all day at anchor.  When it runs down, I'll always have the cranking battery to get home.  Never need a jump.

When you talk batts, you have to ask a cruiser guy.  :)

That's a pretty good idea man, what is the approximate cost on that?

About $75 each for the GC batteries at Sam's, $35-40 for a perko battery switch, and a few cables.  Probably the same as an Optima, and it will perform better for the purpose.

My boat has a 30 amp onboard charger, a generator, and gets plugged in at the slip.  For a trailered boat, I'd get a good smart charger to top the house bank off between trips.  The extra capacity means the alternator will probably not fully charge them up running back to the ramp.

That's a pretty cool setup, sounds expensive but I bet it's worth every penny knowing you won't be stuck on the lake or begging for help.

I'd be worried about someone ripping off my charger from my boat in storage :( Haven't lost anything yet. But I'm not getting too trusting.

I had some son of a bitch steal my spare off my trailer last year. Got a lock this year.

Quote:

I use a pair of AGM Die Hard Platinums PM-1.   They are super heavy and expensive but have performed very well.   I use a Diehard microprocessor controlled battery charger to keep them topped off.

I decided to got his route.  Picked up a pair of these same batteries over the weekend.   Once I'm over the sticker shock....will install.

How ugly was that one?

Apx. $400 total (for 2 batteries).   Once I get the old ones out, and bring to Sears, will get $20 back.  Net $380.

In2Deep wrote on Mar 22^nd, 2010 at 3:09pm:

Quote: I use a pair of AGM Die Hard Platinums PM-1.   They are super heavy and expensive but have performed very well.   I use a Diehard microprocessor controlled battery charger to keep them topped off. I decided to got his route.  Picked up a pair of these same batteries over the weekend.   Once I'm over the sticker shock....will install.

I love mine.   I hope it works well for you.    Sears has a great return policy in case the battery fails (god forbid).

I was in Sam's today and they have 6V golf cart batteries for $67 each.  210 amp hours each, and you'll need 2 in series for 12V.  That's 420AH.  And almost enough money difference for a tank of gas.  8-)

Ouch, I had no idea they were so much money. I think next year I'm taking mine out of the boat and keeping a charger on her so she stays nice and happy!  8-)