Dual battery setup in a 232

[Humvee13]

I know some of you 232 guys have dual batteries from the factory if possible can you provide a picture so I can see how its mounted. I thought maybe there would be a spot on my boat to mount a second but it looks like I need to get a whole new tray to accomadate 2 batteries.

Also where is the battery switch mounted from the factory?

I still need to put in all my toys. I picked up 26 feet of 10 gauge duplex marine wire along with a distribution terminal to run up to all the added eletronics at the helm.





On a side note Rinker took too long to send me the spacers for the Trim Tabs but I plan on mounting all the electronics in the mean time and maybe make friends with someone that has a boat lift so I can slap the tab and actuators on. The dealer was nice enough to pull the boat to mount the Transducer for the GPS I just need to do the rest.

[Talon]

wow - looks like you are going to be a busy boy! If you think about it, please take some good pics of the tab installation - we seem to get quite a few questions about it.

[merwin10]

Sounds like you are planning on a 20 amp circuit to the buss just remember to fuse it at the battery end for 20 amps - If I may make a suggestion it would be to power the trim taps from the starter battery - and all the electronics from battery 2 - What I am thinking is that when you use the trim taps it might spike the circuit and cause problems with the electronics - after all you are turning two DC motors on  the trip taps and inductive loads are not the best thing to be on electronic circuits -

Mike -  

[DaleM]

My dual batts are set up on the port side of the engine compartmen right near the freshwater tank.  The switch is mounted on the bulkhead that supports the rear seat.  Mine is a 1996 model 232.

[capnkevin]

Looks like you are going to do some of the same projects that are on my list for my 232 as well.

How are you going to hook up the dual batteries? It seems there are many different ways & I still have not decided what way to go yet.  So many choices switch, isolater, combiner and many combinations.

Have you gone to the bennett website? Even though it is a different manufactor on there site they show a alternate method for mounting a set of trim tabs on a 232. They are mounted in a little closer to the drive allowing the actuator to be mounted in the recessed portion of hull. That is where I am leaning towards putting on a size of the Lenco's as well.

Would really appreciate seeing pictures of your job once completed.

[merwin10]

captkev - What is it that you want to do may I help -

Mike -  

[capnkevin]

Want to add 2nd battery & just not sure what is the best method to do us. We typically use the boat for day use only. Main concern is running down the battery while anchored in cove running the stereo/ 2 amps. Thought was to add second battery & connect it to radio & amps. Leaving other battery for starting.

If i have 2 batteries do I really need the switch?? Couldn't i just put in an isolater that would charge both. If i install a switch do you move all the accessories to a buss bar connector that allows them to be run from one battery or the other.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. This is my 4th boat but the 1st that will have 2 batteries. Not sure what would be best method givin our typical usages.

[Humvee13]

It seems lenco or bennett are both great companies but I prefer an easier installation since I know nothing of hydrolics. Also I feel the bennett's are too close to the centerline on that rinker on their site. I picked up my set of lencos with LED indicator for a pretty good deal off ebay. I am still awaiting the shims to see what they look like.

I am planning on going dual with the starter batt and a house battery to run all of my electronics so I can listen to the radio and not worry about draining my starting battery like I do now. I will most likely go with a combiner and battery switch for emergency starting. I just need to pay off all the stuff I bought now before I start the next set of projects.

[capnkevin]

Humvee I agree about going with the Lenco's. Will definately buy them off ebay as well. Can't beat the deal.  The only reason that I mentioned the Bennett site was actually the picture of the tabs on the 232. They did go with a 18" tab which brought it closer to the drive - looks way too close. Doesn't look like it would allow you to turn wheel lock to lock.

I plan on adding the 12" x 12" Lenco's just as you have purchased. Leaning towards mounting them more where the bennett's were mounted. Just have to work up my courage to drill all those holes.

Agree on the cost of the toys. Also adding a second amplifier to the stereo. Rinker did a lousy job of running 6 speakers off the radio. We upgraded the sony speakers to Pioneer coaxials last year. It was a huge improvement but the way Rinker has the radio hooked up you can get very much volume for the furthest rear speakers. To correct the problem I purchased a 4 channel Alpine amp 50 watt x 4. The amp has a function where you can run 1 rca input put get the same out put on all 4 speakers. Going to use it to run the 4 speakers in the cockpit. You will not be able to fade between those 4 but that should not be any problem.

[Humvee13]

Nice, I thought of upgrading the stereo too, I have pioneer speakers in my truck and love them but for now the stereo will stay the same since it does the job. I only plan on hooking up my satellite radio to it for now.

Where did you mount the second amp? Have you tought of adding a sub? I have but have no idea where I would mount a 10 inch woofer. Looked into the bazooka tubes too but still dont know where to put it. Ive read of people putting larger subs in the engine compartment with good results, but I dont want to take the chance.

Also there are some good pictures in the "Trim Tabs" post of lencos mounted on a 232 in the recommended spot by lenco using the shims.

If you do get tabs off eBay I recommend getting them from "EasternMarine" http://stores.ebay.com/EASTERN-MARINE-AUCTIONS

I ordered just the tabs there and got them within a few days brand new well packaged. I should have ordered the LED from him to but got it on another auction and it took 2 weeks to get!

[capnkevin]

I have not been able to find any pictures on the lenco site at all.

Have not installed the 2nd amp yet. Plan on putting right next to the other amp. Thought about a sub but like you was not sure where to mount. Would probally buy a 10" speaker and mount in the side of the trash can compartment. Not sure if we are going to do that. Not on the list for this year.

[merwin10]

Captkev- To answer the question about the switch NO you don't need to use it - However you also won't be meeting the ABYC and USCG regs - and the two batteries will be tied together so you are defeating the purpose of have one for emergency start just in case -

One thing a dual battery does do is give your electronics isolation from spiking when the engine or other high ampage unit are used - Electric motors like starters and windless and trim tabs are called inductive loads and pull very hard on the battery initially - Actually if you were to watch the voltage on a oscilloscope you would initially see a dead short - where the voltage drops almost to zero and the current is high - this is what causes the voltage spike - nothing is wrong it is just the nature of inductive loads (motors)

What I would recommend and that would met the ABYC and USCG regs is a battery switch and a battery 1, battery 2, Both and off switch with either a voltage sensing switch or isolator for charging - In that way you gain the isolation needed and have a backup starting battery - Switch all the electronics to battery #2 leave windless, trim tabs, and starter on battery #1 - Battery #2 could be a deep cell/starter combination battery - Also remember to meet the ABYC and USCG regs the positive battery terminal needs to be covered and the battery should be in a box so acid does not get in the boat -

Here is a basic drawing of what I am talking about -



hope this helps

Mike -  

[capnkevin]

Guess I better read up on the rules & regulations before I make any decisions.

[merwin10]

Captkev I will send them to you in a PM OPPS need your email address so I can attach a pdf file - If you prefer not making public email me at merwin10@comcast.net and put from captkevin ABYC regs and I will send them back to you it is a big file in pdf format.

Mike -

[scotsman_25]

I am very intrested to find out how this all works out as ive just got the 232 and was thinking about installing second battery system as like Humvee13 also plan to use the stereo and gps fish finder at same time, i was going to install second battery useing the bep single engine two battery vsr cluster is this an all in one solution?