What Batterys to use?

[UHHH SUCKA]

Running about 3500 watts for the stereo system. My dumd a-- just realized I got 3 starting battery's 1 for the engine and 2 for the stereo and finding that they tend to drain fairly quickly because obviously they are not made for long periods of use. Need to make a change either to a pair of 6 volt golf cart batterys or 2 good deep cycles. Which ones will be better for stereo use?

[Jordy]

I just dumped 3 blue top Optimas in favor of a pair of 6 volts. The Optimas used to be good for about 5 hours and then start to cut out. The 2 Trojan 6 volts played for about 7 hours on KILL on Sunday and never missed a beat. I've gotta say that I'm seeing the light on the dark side. Let the naysayers begin. ;)

[Tom Brown]

It's math, not voodoo.
Blasphamy! :o
I'd go with the golf cart batteries if wet cells don't bother you. You could also go with a couple of the big Odyssey 2150 batts or a huge 8D battery.

[Jesster]

Hey Jordy,
Which Trojans did you get and where? I take delivery of my boat on the 28th and have asked for the Odyssey 2150's at 249.00 each.
Now you have me second guessing that decision and its not to late.
At 75 pounds each the odysseys arent light but it looks olike some of the Trojans are monsters also. Anybody else have any input.

[Tom Brown]

A pair of Odyssey 2150s will perform pretty much the same as the biggest golf cart batteries will and they're an AGM battery. I'd stick with the Odysseys, if you don't mind the expense.
2 x 2150 Odysseys will put out 200 Ah of current. A pair of the best golf cart batteries will put out 225 Ah of current but I would be willing to wager the Odyssey batteries are conservatively rated, that being... they will all put out 200+ Ah, and the Trogans are probably optimistically rated, that being... few will get to 225 Ah (I've never seen a consumer grade battery that could deliver it's rated capacity). I'll bet they're about the same.
It would be cool if someone were to cycle a set of the Trojans and Odysseys to see which really does have more power. It's all about the Watt hours.
Someone bring me a set of each and I'd be more than pleased to test them. :D

[Jordy]

Hey Jordy,
Which Trojans did you get and where? I take delivery of my boat on the 28th and have asked for the Odyssey 2150's at 249.00 each.
Now you have me second guessing that decision and its not to late.
At 75 pounds each the odysseys arent light but it looks olike some of the Trojans are monsters also. Anybody else have any input.
I went with the regular 6V Trojans. About the same size as a group 24 battery, but taller. They were also only about $100 a piece. I'm in Phoenix, so I can't really help you with a vendor, however, if you hit Froggystyle up on here he should be able to help you. I believe he also has some trick hold downs for them as well.

[Jesster]

Thanks Jordy, My boat is actually in Phoenix at Extreme Marine I take delivery at the end of the month. Is there an isssue at all with them being wet cell batteries? The possibility of increased play time and them being 300.00 cheaper than the Odysseys are a big factor. The weight savings will only be about 20 pounds though. I have an IOTA DLS-55 charger will this work OK with the Trojans?
Tom Brown, thanks for the input it makes me think I will probably stay with my current decision since the batts are included in the sale price.

[sigepmock]

I've run both the 6V and the Odysseys and the performance was about the same, except that the 6V require maintence and the Odysseys were maintenance free. It amazing how fast a 6V will lose water in the Havasu heat. For the boats I'm only going to run the Odysseys because you put em in and forget them, on the Moho or toyhauler I'll run the 6V's.
Just my $.02,
Chris

[Jordy]

Here is the dealer info based upon a central Phoenix zip code:
http://www.trojan-battery.com/FindDealer.aspx?ZipCode=85009

[Rocky]

Well Im thinking of going the 2-6volt way also. I have 3 group 24s one for starting wired to #1 on perko and two group 24s wired parallel to #2 on the perko for the stereo. Now my question is can I just swapp out my two 24s and wire the two 6v in series to the #2 perko switch? What if i forget to switch back over to the starting battery will I still be ok on motor and battery side of things (damage)?

[BOBALOO]

Well Im thinking of going the 2-6volt way also. I have 3 group 24s one for starting wired to #1 on perko and two group 24s wired parrelel to #2 on the perko for the stereo. Now my question is can I just swapp out my two 24s and wire the two 6v in series to the #2 perko switch? What if i forget to switch back over to the starting battery will I still be ok on motor and battery side of things (damage)?
You will be fine, if you use the "all" setting on the perko the highest charged batt will be drained to the level of the lowest battery. So charge them seperate, either on 1 or 2 but not all.
I have the same setup, 2 6v trojans (wired in series for 12v) on Perko 1 and a 12v battery ( cell site backup ) I got from work on Perko 2. I rarely have to resort to the extra battery unless I play the stereo LOUD for a couple days without charging.
No onboard charger but the alt is 100A. US Battery in Temecula had the Trojan T-105 for about 70$ last time I was there.

[Rocky]

I have the same setup, 2 6v trojans (wired parallel for 12v)
In series right? Not parallel?

[Jordy]

In series right? Not parallel?
That is correct sir. The best thing about my setup is I've actually got 3 battery systems in my boat and no perko switches. Each engine has it's own blue top for starting duty and one is running the head unit, and the amps are running off the 6 volts.
It would take a real screwup somewhere to end up with everything dead, although I am knocking on wood right now because you just never know. Worst case, I just get out a length of rope and pull the engines over by hand. :D :D :D

[BOBALOO]

In series right? Not parallel?
Yes series. I fixed it.

[BOBALOO]

That is correct sir. The best thing about my setup is I've actually got 3 battery systems in my boat and no perko switches. Each engine has it's own blue top for starting duty and one is running the head unit, and the amps are running off the 6 volts.
It would take a real screwup somewhere to end up with everything dead, although I am knocking on wood right now because you just never know. Worst case, I just get out a length of rope and pull the engines over by hand. :D :D :D
Those wackas dont have high output charging systems do they....Is that why the amp batts are separate w/no Perko?
Dont let HH know you are running the 6v. They dont work I hear :rolleyes:

[Jordy]

Those wackas dont have high output charging systems do they....Is that why the amp batts are separate w/no Perko?
Dont let HH know you are running the 6v. They dont work I hear :rolleyes:
I've got a dual alternator/3 battery system isolator. In reality, the blue tops aren't going to run down in the course of the day just starting the engines a few times and then having one power the head unit. Both alternators charge all 3 systems and then at the end of the weekend I put them all on a charger and top them off. Seems to be a good system so far. ;)
As far as HH, he knows about the batteries, just not the capacitors that they're hooked up to so I can make more power. :D :D :D

[Sotally Tober]

I just installed some new batts also. I went with a group 31 blue top ($165)for starting. 3 Trojan SCS225 (http://www.trojanbattery.com/Products/ProductSpec.aspx?Name=SCS225) ($103 each)for the stereo. They are rated for 25amps@225min. They are a group 31 12v deep cycle. I know it is some weight, but my boat is a heavy bastard to start off with. What do you electrical engineers think I will get for run time with 3000W? I ordered a Cascade Audio 75 for charging the Trojan's, just in case I go with Honda in the future. Has anyone tried the big 6v's? They fit a standard 31 case. Just need longer J hooks for the heigth.L16H (http://www.trojanbattery.com/Products/ProductSpec.aspx?Name=L16H)
I'm thinking of 2 of these for some more run time (instesed of 3 225's). 240lbs!

[Sotally Tober]

Never priced the big 6v (L16H). I did look at these big 12v J185H (http://www.trojanbattery.com/Products/ProductSpec.aspx?Name=J185H) @$200 a piece. I was going to go with 2 of them (830min@25amps). But decide not to as I was going to have to fabricate some boxes/holdowns as they are 15" long. I have plenty of room for height. The L16H footprint is the same as a group31. That is tempting. More runtime with 885min@25amps. They did say the 6v would get better cycling life. I guess a lot of people run thier homes with them (alternative energy). If you live in the sticks with no power.

[ROZ]

jordy went to the dark side :D

[Jordy]

jordy went to the dark side :D
First outboards then 6 volts. Damn... :D :D :D

[Havasu Hangin']

Dont let HH know you are running the 6v. They dont work I hear :rolleyes:
I never said they wouldn't work.
It's kinda like putting a 5'9" guy in as center for the Lakers. I'm sure Jerry Buss could do it to save money...
...but why?