Dual battery and perko setup

[tkowalski]

Just asking if it’s best to install a crank battery, and a deep cell, or same ones, or even a hybrid. 99 Sunsetter lxi. Been having battery issues, even though I took it in and it tested fine. Don’t want anymore scares on the water, of no charge. Also is a perko switch the way to go?

[nosnarb]

I had a perko switch in my Echelon with 2 batteries.  1 starting and 1 deep cycle.  All of the stereo related stuff was wired to the deep cycle.  On my current X-star I went with a ACR which I like a lot better in that I don't have to manually switch between batteries but I do have the flexibility of cutting both batteries off or combining them if I ever had to. 

https://www.bluesea.com/products/7650003/Add-A-Battery_Kit_-_120A_[Boxed]

Edited September 12, 2018 by nosnarb

[P6Expert]

Question:

If ACR's are such great devices (and from what I read they seem to be), why aren't they standard equipment for all boats with dual battery systems?

 

While out on the lake two weekends ago, my boat kept experiencing "Low Bat" warning every time I started the engine after dropping anchor to eat.  I normally keep my battery switched to "1 & 2" all day long and have two cranking batteries.  I have never experience the "Low Bat" warning in the past and am going to be testing my batteries this weekend to see if I have a bad battery or two.  It seems as if an ACR would have been helpful for me and should have been part of the standard equipment on my boat.

[MLA]

2 hours ago, tkowalski said:

Also is a perko switch the way to go?

No! Blue Seas makes a much better quality switch.

2 hours ago, tkowalski said:

Been having battery issues, even though I took it in and it tested fine.

Really need to identify the issue before making changes/additions. Weak alternator, anchoring too long, starter going bad, parasitic draw while the boat is unused. Not of which will be fixed with a battery change. 

Should you consider a dual battery setup? Absolutely! But it will really only fix the dead battery after anchoring too long scenario. 

1 hour ago, P6Expert said:

If ACR's are such great devices (and from what I read they seem to be), why aren't they standard equipment for all boats with dual battery systems?

They are not a 1-size-fits-all. They are also more expensive then a simple dual bank switch. There are MANY boats that dont even offer dual batteries as an option, more less standard. Boat builders are not always about whats great for the end user. They are typically bottom line driven