I am planning to purchase a portable 12v charger/power supply for the boat
rather than installing a second battery. My 12v power draw is negligible
(engine starter, cd player, depth sounder) when not running.

This is one unit I am looking at:
http://www.break.com/movies/houselights3.html

Any recommendations or am I being foolish by not installing a second battery
with A/B switch for my modest 20 foot runabout?

" JimH" wrote in message
. ..
I am planning to purchase a portable 12v charger/power supply for the boat
rather than installing a second battery. My 12v power draw is negligible
(engine starter, cd player, depth sounder) when not running.

This is one unit I am looking at:

http://store.yahoo.com/sports-imports/pore12poposu.html


Any recommendations or am I being foolish by not installing a second
battery with A/B switch for my modest 20 foot runabout?


Oops. I posted Tom's Canuck video link. Sorry. Correction made. ;-)

JimH wrote:
I am planning to purchase a portable 12v charger/power supply for the boat
rather than installing a second battery. My 12v power draw is negligible
(engine starter, cd player, depth sounder) when not running.

This is one unit I am looking at:
http://www.break.com/movies/houselights3.html

Any recommendations or am I being foolish by not installing a second battery
with A/B switch for my modest 20 foot runabout?


The downside of the jumpbox approach isn't a lack of CCA, but a
shortage of available amp hours. If you wind up having to use that
thing to restart your engine, you will be somewhat Ok if it restarts
right away. If you crank a bit and then discover you need to do a some
troubleshooting to get the engine to fire, try a few things without
success and crank a little bit each time- you may discover that those
"1200 peak amps" are reduced
to the point where you can no longer crank the engine.

This thing is $80. You should be able to buy a suitable battery switch
for probably $25-40.
If you then spend another $89-100 on a medium grade battery (and
another $20 on some cable and connectors) you will still be spending
very little and you will have a standard electrical system rather than
an emergency start device.

If it were my call, I'd go for the second battery *and* the jump start.
:-)

wrote in message
oups.com...

JimH wrote:
I am planning to purchase a portable 12v charger/power supply for the
boat
rather than installing a second battery. My 12v power draw is negligible
(engine starter, cd player, depth sounder) when not running.

This is one unit I am looking at:
http://www.break.com/movies/houselights3.html

Any recommendations or am I being foolish by not installing a second
battery
with A/B switch for my modest 20 foot runabout?


The downside of the jumpbox approach isn't a lack of CCA, but a
shortage of available amp hours. If you wind up having to use that
thing to restart your engine, you will be somewhat Ok if it restarts
right away. If you crank a bit and then discover you need to do a some
troubleshooting to get the engine to fire, try a few things without
success and crank a little bit each time- you may discover that those
"1200 peak amps" are reduced
to the point where you can no longer crank the engine.

This thing is $80. You should be able to buy a suitable battery switch
for probably $25-40.
If you then spend another $89-100 on a medium grade battery (and
another $20 on some cable and connectors) you will still be spending
very little and you will have a standard electrical system rather than
an emergency start device.

If it were my call, I'd go for the second battery *and* the jump start.
:-)


I tend to agree with you Chuck. I also need some ballast on the port side
as the boat is leaning a bit to starboard.

I was just trying to be lazy I guess as I have so many other Springtime
projects to get done.

Maybe I will start with the portable charger and add the second battery and
switch later in the season.

Jim,

I would not be without a second battery with an AB switch. I've had several
batteries simply fail in use with no warning whatsoever. In a vehicle it's
usually just dammed annoying. In a boat a few miles from services it can be
dangerous.

Another good reason to install the second battery is to avoid the
consequences of "operator error". Simply intending to turn something off
and failing to do so can discharge a battery below starting capability. A
short circuit can accomplish the same thing but more quickly.

I carry a jump start gadget purchased at Sears on sale but I still have two
batteries and an AB switch. I probably/hopefully will never need the damn
thing but carry it for the same reason I carry a fire extinguisher, wear a
PFD underway, and use my ignition lanyard. It is so much better to avoid a
problem on the water than to have to deal with it.

Butch
" JimH" wrote in message
. ..

" JimH" wrote in message
. ..
I am planning to purchase a portable 12v charger/power supply for the boat
rather than installing a second battery. My 12v power draw is negligible
(engine starter, cd player, depth sounder) when not running.

This is one unit I am looking at:

http://store.yahoo.com/sports-imports/pore12poposu.html


Any recommendations or am I being foolish by not installing a second
battery with A/B switch for my modest 20 foot runabout?


Oops. I posted Tom's Canuck video link. Sorry. Correction made. ;-)

"Butch Davis" wrote in message
k.net...
Jim,

I would not be without a second battery with an AB switch. I've had
several batteries simply fail in use with no warning whatsoever. In a
vehicle it's usually just dammed annoying. In a boat a few miles from
services it can be dangerous.

Another good reason to install the second battery is to avoid the
consequences of "operator error". Simply intending to turn something off
and failing to do so can discharge a battery below starting capability. A
short circuit can accomplish the same thing but more quickly.

I carry a jump start gadget purchased at Sears on sale but I still have
two batteries and an AB switch. I probably/hopefully will never need the
damn thing but carry it for the same reason I carry a fire extinguisher,
wear a PFD underway, and use my ignition lanyard. It is so much better to
avoid a problem on the water than to have to deal with it.

Butch
" JimH" wrote in message
. ..

" JimH" wrote in message
. ..
I am planning to purchase a portable 12v charger/power supply for the
boat rather than installing a second battery. My 12v power draw is
negligible (engine starter, cd player, depth sounder) when not running.

This is one unit I am looking at:

http://store.yahoo.com/sports-imports/pore12poposu.html


Any recommendations or am I being foolish by not installing a second
battery with A/B switch for my modest 20 foot runabout?


Thanks Butch. You second Chuck's suggestion and I will proceed with
installing a second battery and A/B switch.

" JimH" wrote in message
. ..

wrote in message
oups.com...

JimH wrote:
I am planning to purchase a portable 12v charger/power supply for the
boat
rather than installing a second battery. My 12v power draw is
negligible
(engine starter, cd player, depth sounder) when not running.

This is one unit I am looking at:
http://www.break.com/movies/houselights3.html

Any recommendations or am I being foolish by not installing a second
battery
with A/B switch for my modest 20 foot runabout?


The downside of the jumpbox approach isn't a lack of CCA, but a
shortage of available amp hours. If you wind up having to use that
thing to restart your engine, you will be somewhat Ok if it restarts
right away. If you crank a bit and then discover you need to do a some
troubleshooting to get the engine to fire, try a few things without
success and crank a little bit each time- you may discover that those
"1200 peak amps" are reduced
to the point where you can no longer crank the engine.

This thing is $80. You should be able to buy a suitable battery switch
for probably $25-40.
If you then spend another $89-100 on a medium grade battery (and
another $20 on some cable and connectors) you will still be spending
very little and you will have a standard electrical system rather than
an emergency start device.

If it were my call, I'd go for the second battery *and* the jump start.
:-)


I tend to agree with you Chuck. I also need some ballast on the port side
as the boat is leaning a bit to starboard.

I was just trying to be lazy I guess as I have so many other Springtime
projects to get done.

Maybe I will start with the portable charger and add the second battery
and switch later in the season.


Do you have a car mechanic you've been going to for years? Ask him to load
test battery your battery every time you stop by for oil change or whatever.
It takes about two minutes, or three if you're chatting about the weather.
At least it might give you some idea of how the battery's aging.

On Mon, 26 Dec 2005 19:23:52 -0500, " JimH" wrote:


"Butch Davis" wrote in message
nk.net...
Jim,

I would not be without a second battery with an AB switch. I've had
several batteries simply fail in use with no warning whatsoever. In a
vehicle it's usually just dammed annoying. In a boat a few miles from
services it can be dangerous.

Another good reason to install the second battery is to avoid the
consequences of "operator error". Simply intending to turn something off
and failing to do so can discharge a battery below starting capability. A
short circuit can accomplish the same thing but more quickly.

I carry a jump start gadget purchased at Sears on sale but I still have
two batteries and an AB switch. I probably/hopefully will never need the
damn thing but carry it for the same reason I carry a fire extinguisher,
wear a PFD underway, and use my ignition lanyard. It is so much better to
avoid a problem on the water than to have to deal with it.

Butch
" JimH" wrote in message
. ..

" JimH" wrote in message
. ..
I am planning to purchase a portable 12v charger/power supply for the
boat rather than installing a second battery. My 12v power draw is
negligible (engine starter, cd player, depth sounder) when not running.

This is one unit I am looking at:

http://store.yahoo.com/sports-imports/pore12poposu.html


Any recommendations or am I being foolish by not installing a second
battery with A/B switch for my modest 20 foot runabout?


Thanks Butch. You second Chuck's suggestion and I will proceed with
installing a second battery and A/B switch.


I think you've made the right choice, FWIW.
--
John H

**** May your Christmas be Spectacular!****
*****...and your New Year even Better!*****

JimH wrote:
wrote in message
oups.com...

JimH wrote:

I am planning to purchase a portable 12v charger/power supply for the
boat
rather than installing a second battery. My 12v power draw is negligible
(engine starter, cd player, depth sounder) when not running.

This is one unit I am looking at:
http://www.break.com/movies/houselights3.html

Any recommendations or am I being foolish by not installing a second
battery
with A/B switch for my modest 20 foot runabout?


The downside of the jumpbox approach isn't a lack of CCA, but a
shortage of available amp hours. If you wind up having to use that
thing to restart your engine, you will be somewhat Ok if it restarts
right away. If you crank a bit and then discover you need to do a some
troubleshooting to get the engine to fire, try a few things without
success and crank a little bit each time- you may discover that those
"1200 peak amps" are reduced
to the point where you can no longer crank the engine.

This thing is $80. You should be able to buy a suitable battery switch
for probably $25-40.
If you then spend another $89-100 on a medium grade battery (and
another $20 on some cable and connectors) you will still be spending
very little and you will have a standard electrical system rather than
an emergency start device.

If it were my call, I'd go for the second battery *and* the jump start.
:-)



I tend to agree with you Chuck. I also need some ballast on the port side
as the boat is leaning a bit to starboard.

Ah Ah Ah Jim,

remember no political stuff:-) Buy the second battery & switch just
because it's a good idea, not for idealogical reasons.

K


I was just trying to be lazy I guess as I have so many other Springtime
projects to get done.

Maybe I will start with the portable charger and add the second battery and
switch later in the season.