Battery location

[Stick]

The batteries/Perko on the used Sunsetter VLX I purchased are in the Rear left storage. I've just purhcased 2x20' of 4 gauge wire to repalce the 8 gauge so I can add another amp. I've seen where some people put batteries/amps/all under observers seat. Is that done so the batteries are closer to the amps, to clean up the rear storage for ballast, or something else?

I've got the hard tanks built in, but am thinking I'd like more ballast so maybe I need to move the batteries so I can add a bag. Can I use the 4 gauge to run power back to the engine from the observers seat instead of power up to the amps from the back?

Where do most people put their batteries and why?

[Bobby Light]

The batteries/Perko on the used Sunsetter VLX I purchased are in the Rear left storage. I've just purhcased 2x20' of 4 gauge wire to repalce the 8 gauge so I can add another amp. I've seen where some people put batteries/amps/all under observers seat. Is that done so the batteries are closer to the amps, to clean up the rear storage for ballast, or something else?

I've got the hard tanks built in, but am thinking I'd like more ballast so maybe I need to move the batteries so I can add a bag. Can I use the 4 gauge to run power back to the engine from the observers seat instead of power up to the amps from the back?

Where do most people put their batteries and why?

I think it's a good idea to move the batteries up if you can. Where are your amps located, I think you're alluding to the fact they are in the passenger storage? Anyways for that run of power wire I would do nothing less than 0/1 guage with a fuse near the batteries to a distribution block and then 4 awg to each amp. It may seem like overkill but Malibu doesn't run 0/2 up there for no reason on the newer boats.

Edited July 15, 2010 by 06vlx

[Faceplant409]

I may be wrong but I don't think Malibu ever put batteries in the rear...

Look up in the compartment behind the observer's seat. I'll bet you find evidence that the battery used to be there.

[ryanbush]

I've got one all the way forward in the passenger side storage, 2 all the way to the rear in my storage lockers and 2 under the front seats, when i decided to add batteries I wanted to spread the weight out

[Stick]

I may be wrong but I don't think Malibu ever put batteries in the rear...

Look up in the compartment behind the observer's seat. I'll bet you find evidence that the battery used to be there.

So the OEM location for batteries on a 2001 Sunsetter was behind the observers seat?

The current amp is by the sub at drivers feet and I was planning on adding the other one there also. But then I got to thinking about adding a sack in the back for surfing, and the batteries are in there. Has anyone built a cover for the batteries out of carpeted 2x lumber so they can put a sack on top of them? How much space would a piggyback sack take up next to the hardtank in there?

[Ndawg12]

So the OEM location for batteries on a 2001 Sunsetter was behind the observers seat?

The current amp is by the sub at drivers feet and I was planning on adding the other one there also. But then I got to thinking about adding a sack in the back for surfing, and the batteries are in there. Has anyone built a cover for the batteries out of carpeted 2x lumber so they can put a sack on top of them? How much space would a piggyback sack take up next to the hardtank in there?

No, OEM battery placement is port side rear compartment. Lots of people have moved them to behind the observer seat though which is where they're located on the newer boats now.

Hey admins: in the reources section, the manual for 2001 malibu boats is actually the 2002 manual....

[shawndoggy]

If you relocate your battery you need to invest in some relatively substantial wire, as 06VLX suggests. I've got an 06 Vride, and malibu really cheaped out on the wire runs to the observers compartment, only running 2awg. That caused me all sorts of problems when I tried to install an acr and switch to separate my batteries, as is chronicled here.

What I ended up doing is leaving the 2awg wire in place and adding a third battery back where your batteries are currently located. with this battery right next to the starter, I've got no voltage problems. The lesson from that is that another (albeit a little kludgy) option would be to use less expensive 2awg wire to run up to the observers compartment, and use the savings to buy a third battery that you leave in the rear locker. My third battery is on a manual switch so I can disconnect it from the system.

EDIT: to see what I mean, go here: http://shop.genuinedealz.com/Marine%20Grade%20Wire/Marine%20Battery%20Cable/ 2/0 is about twice the price of 2awg. If you assume you've got about 40' (power and ground), that's approximately a $100 difference in the cost of the cable alone. With that savings you could get a second starter battery, switch and a battery box to leave in the rear locker.

Edited July 15, 2010 by shawndoggy

[Faceplant409]

I may be wrong but I don't think Malibu ever put batteries in the rear...

Look up in the compartment behind the observer's seat. I'll bet you find evidence that the battery used to be there.

...Apparently I was wrong again....

My only example was a '99 SLXI that had a decent trunk and the battery was in front...

[jetskipro550]

Both of our batteries are under the rear bench seat on each side of the v-drive. That's a perfect location because the weight is balanced and they are easy to get to.