More Than 1 Cranking Battery

[Les Brown]

Has anyone ran more than one cranking battery wired parallel with the main one? Just curious...I have room for a second one and it seems like it may be good insurance.

[codywilsonfihsing]

I know a couple guys who run a seperste battery just got their graphs/added accessories. With the newer graphing drawing more amps it provides a bit more piece of mind.

[vanellies]

What group size would you go with if you did use two?

[Les Brown]

I am thinking 2 group 31's.

[Scbirddog]

Why wouldn't you use a Perko switch and/or a charging relay rather than running them in parallel?

[Les Brown]

I already have a perko switch but with everything running all day it just makes sense.

[Ripsalip2]

Has anyone ran more than one cranking battery wired parallel with the main one? Just curious...I have room for a second one and it seems like it may be good insurance.

I'll be doing the same. That way both batteries are drawn down equally, giving you more than enough juice for everything for a day. Especially helpful if you have large electronics like HDS 12s.
I run a stealth charging system with one lead 31 series and only one 36 volt lithium pro trolling battery. 28pounds. My big motor charges up everything on the run. I have no plug in charger or one in the garage.
Plenty of room to add another battery in parallel to the cranking.

[john721]

I don't get it I fish 6 to 7 hours and run graphs both live wells and a 112 trolling motor and power polls and have never had an issue and I'm running a interstate hd 24

[bencherry121]

I just installed a small lawn mower 12v parallel and it definitely made a difference starting my pro xs later in the day.

[vanellies]

Just wondering how you set up the charger wires on a dual battery setup?

[hotrod]

A wheel Chair battery is a good addition. Smaller less weight and alot of punch

[PhoenixDrew]

Anyone ever give a thought to wiring power poles off of one of the trolling motor batteries?

[Ripsalip2]

Has anyone ran more than one cranking battery wired parallel with the main one? Just curious...I have room for a second one and it seems like it may be good insurance.

Its great insurance. Depends on what kind of fisherman you are. When I'm in a tourney in summer, in a rainstorm, on the river. Both HDS 12 going, recirc pumps, bilge, gauges, etc. and need to start a 250 pro XS. Better to be safe than sorry. You don't need a second 31 series though. Something smaller will suffice.

[haus9393]

I don't get it I fish 6 to 7 hours and run graphs both live wells and a 112 trolling motor and power polls and have never had an issue and I'm running a interstate hd 24

6-7 hours is not a long time at all.

[haus9393]

Has anyone ran more than one cranking battery wired parallel with the main one? Just curious...I have room for a second one and it seems like it may be good insurance.

There is no such thing as overkill when it comes to your cranking battery. If you want to put 2 in parallel I think its a great idea. Currently on my boat I have an X2 Power 31 AGM (2150 CA 1150 CCA and 220 Reserve Capacity). I can fish 16 hours on it without putting my graphs in standby and still fire the motor up no problem. The X2 Power AGM is 2 batteries in 1. 1 dedicated for starting the motor and 1 for accessories like pumps and electronics. How does it work? I have no idea but its a BA battery. I also have the Tournament saver pro jump starter and I just got a NOCO Genius Boost HD jump start pack that is supposedly good for up to 40 starts on a single charge and rated for up to an 8.0L motor. I hope to never need to use it but its great piece of mind.

[Ripsalip2]

There is no such thing as overkill when it comes to your cranking battery. If you want to put 2 in parallel I think its a great idea. Currently on my boat I have an X2 Power 31 AGM (2150 CA 1150 CCA and 220 Reserve Capacity). I can fish 16 hours on it without putting my graphs in standby and still fire the motor up no problem. The X2 Power AGM is 2 batteries in 1. 1 dedicated for starting the motor and 1 for accessories like pumps and electronics. How does it work? I have no idea but its a BA battery. I also have the Tournament saver pro jump starter and I just got a NOCO Genius Boost HD jump start pack that is supposedly good for up to 40 starts on a single charge and rated for up to an 8.0L motor. I hope to never need to use it but its great piece of mind.

RIGHT ON!!!!

[haus9393]

RIGHT ON!!!!

Very nice signature

[1bluemcm]

When you have 2 12v batteries in parallel, are the capacity ratings additive, as in if both are rated at say 150 min RC, would the two together be 300 min? Same with amp-hour ratings?

[Ripsalip2]

When you have 2 12v batteries in parallel, are the capacity ratings additive, as in if both are rated at say 150 min RC, would the two together be 300 min? Same with amp-hour ratings?

Correct sir.
Volts stay the same. Everything else increases.

[1bluemcm]

TY sir, appreciate it. One last question if you don't mind, appreciate your taking the time to help. If I add up the amp draw from electronics, for example, how do I calculate how much time I'd get out of a battery for a given amp-hour rating? I thought I had a handle on this, and now I'm confused. Lets say I have a total of 7 amps draw from electronics and a battery with 195min RC, 95Ah @ 20hr rate, 88.5 Ah @ 10-hr rate. Man, I thought I had a handle on this....appreciate any help.