VHF anf F/F Install??? - The Hull Truth

matt lagana · 08-12-2004, 12:27 PM

Can I run the pos and neg straight to a battery? Does the battery have to be grounded or can i just strap it down and run electronics off of it? I want to have 2 batterys, but don't want to mess with the factory install on the one that comes with the boat. The battery that comes with the boat will be charged by the motor, having the bildge pump, live well pump, tilt and trim, engine start, and lights. The one I install will have the FF, VHF, and compass light(maybe a GPS). It will be a deep cycle. I will charge it manually. Thanks!!!!

matt lagana · 08-12-2004, 01:41 PM

Just moving it up. Anyone have an idea?????

gf · 08-12-2004, 01:48 PM

Matt:

This message thread would be better off in the Electronics forum.

I'm no expert, but your plan is not a good one.* You can run all your accessories off your existing battery, it's no big deal.* If you want to add a second battery then add it with a battery selector switch so you are always using one or the other battery.* Alternate which one you use to keep them both charged.

As for wiring each device directly to the battery, I don't recommend it.* Buy a "buss bar" for negative and positive and wire those*to the battery and then wire each of your accessories to the buss bar with a fuse.

Search the Electronics forum, these topics have been discussed in depth.

BW23 · 08-12-2004, 01:51 PM

You do not have to tie the grounds together unless the motor was going to do the charging.

Why not add a 1/2/both swich and use the DC battery as a house battery? That way if your starting battery dies, you can switch to the DC and away you go.

In the future, you'll probably get a quicker response if you post these type of questions in the "Electronic" forum

Preoccupation · 08-12-2004, 01:53 PM

If you can be absolutely certain that your new battery and loads (FF, VHF, EVERYTHING, including that compass light, which, by the way I think you should leave it as is) are totally independent from the existing electrical system, then you can do it. After all, ground is just a voltage reference and as long as the two circuits (systems) are totally isolated from each other it will be OK. But be careful with future wiring....you don't want to, for example, run power from your new battery thru a switch on your panel that happens to be grounded to your existing start battery...

matt lagana · 08-12-2004, 02:10 PM

Thanks....I did post it in the electronics forum....