www.iFourWinns.com

New boat to me.....Wondering if anyone has added multiple house batteries? There is only room for 1 from factory, I'm thinking 4 and wonder if anyone has done this? Thanks.

Not sure why you would need 4 house batteries.
That is a lot of weight that would need to be distributed and a lot of wiring.
Also, you would need a larger capacity charger or multiple chargers to keep from burning up the original one (been there, done that).
You will also need a very high capacity alternator to keep from burning it out due to the load.

I added a 2nd battery on the same side and it made the boat list a little and had to upgrade the charger to do that.

You might reconsider and just add a 2nd battery.

Current boat - 2009 Carver 44'
Old boat - 2007 278 Vista

If you research this what you find is that a pair of 6V golf cart batteries hooked up in series to give 12V with more amps that a single large 12v might be the best thing. Better than a single deep cycle but not as heavy or bulky as 4 individual batteries.
Another option is 2 12V batteries in parallel; this keeps the voltage the same but doubles the amps.
A lot depends on how much room you have & weight balance. Also keep in mind that a standard marine alternator puts out only 55 amps there are some high output ones that put out 70-75 amps. To make alternators last they should not be loaded to more than 2/3rds of their max output continuously.
Take a look at the ARCO Marine website for more information on charging systems.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Why not just run the generator? Generators that run often have very few problems when compared to those that sit...

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

Thanks to all that have replied so far. As I always find while asking about batteries and power there are a lot of factors and opinions! To summarize Q's and comments so far. This is my 3rd Vista- 2002 248, 2000 328 and now the 348. With the 328 I had 150w solar, with 2 x 6v 235amphr for house. we have 2 fridges, vacuflush and all the other stuff that draw power. I upgraded to Xantrex 60amp charger....did not upgrade the alternators and they were fine. I ran this system for 4 summers. We are on the hook 3-4 days weekly and then back at the marina charging with shore power with a couple week long trips as well. I have no issue running Genny just prefer not to if not needed. I've looked at 12v, I just can't seem to find similar Amp Hr unless you go really big and heavy which makes it harder to remove if needed, 6V as much as there would be more your not lifting them all at once. Note: I'm just not ready to buy lithium...yet!

For the 348 - same 2 fridges, tv(unfortunately at times), stereo's etc. (similar to 328) I have bulked up solar 2 x 160w, and a 120amp charger. Now adding 3000w inverter. This is where I was thinking I may need to add to my Amp Hr needed, running coffee maker off inverter, etc. I'm thinking now I may just start with same 2 x 6v and add from there if necessary.

Not sure where you are located but I did a ton of research and knew what I wanted. I had a well respected professional come out to do other work who specializes in thrusters and batteries and he totally changed my mind. I would reach out to a professional to help even if it's just consultation.

I went with Northstar brand agm. (Odyssey is the same company) They have regular sized batteries but they also have a few size's that are tall and skinny that takes up less foot print. I was able to get 2 large blue NSB series in almost the same footprint as an 8D. Together they are 360 amp hours. And they have a higher capacity battery(200amp each) but I didn't need that much. Pretty hard to find that density in this footprint.

The selling point to me is they are made in USA, guaranteed for 3 years, and life expectancy is 12+ years. Now take the for what it's worth, that's optimal conditions but even the service guys said he has been seeing 8-10 years on these things. I am on my 3rd year and so far so good.

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--2002 3880 Regal Flybridge | Twin Merc 8.1HO **Seven**
--2003 AB 13 VST Console Inflatable | Tohatsu 40hp TLDI **Phish'n ski**
--310 Mercury Inflatable | 1982 9.9 Johnson

I have a 328 and run Qty-3 group 31's AGM's for my house system. On top of that I have 320W of Solar on the Bimini with 2 panels.

I replaced my charger with a 50 AMP Pronautic.

I do not have an onboard generator but do have a 2000 Watt Yamaha I carry but don't use it much unless we get a ton of rain when on the hook for more than 2 days.

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2001 328 Vista "Nauta Dream 2"
AB Inflatable 10AL "Little Dreamer"
2000 248 Vista
1997 225 Sundowner


Mike

We boat in Georgian Bay (Honey Harbour,ON). I like the idea of getting a consultation done by an expert! Mike, What is Amp on the AGM's? Did you convert the cockpit ice maker in your 328 to fridge? Just thinking of comparison for power draw.

Okay, we are in southern New England so not close. The company I used probably won't work for you.

You can probably find fridge power consumptions online for your specific make/model number. I found my model in a manual somewhere online and did some fuzzy calculations from it. They went into pretty good detail on power consumption.

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--2002 3880 Regal Flybridge | Twin Merc 8.1HO **Seven**
--2003 AB 13 VST Console Inflatable | Tohatsu 40hp TLDI **Phish'n ski**
--310 Mercury Inflatable | 1982 9.9 Johnson

We are running a house bank of 330 A/hrs

never had the ice maker always the 2nd fridge.

If you running an inverter you will want 6V batteries and a larger bank. I have an 1800W inverter and I struggle with the house bank having enough power to run things

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2001 328 Vista "Nauta Dream 2"
AB Inflatable 10AL "Little Dreamer"
2000 248 Vista
1997 225 Sundowner


Mike

I have 4x 130AH 12v group 31 batteries. I'm installing 2x 175w solar this season. I have 2 fridges in my 358 and going for 3 days without using the genny was a stretch. Hopefully, with new batteries and solar, I'll be good.

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2007 Four Winns Vista 358

As I sit here in non-boating winter in Ontario and dream of warmer days I thought I would update this chat....In case anyone is wondering if it can be done. I purchased 2 - 6V Rolls 445ah. Installed a platform over the middle stringers and put the batteries in a tote. Totally happy with the fit, keeps the weight centralized and doesn't get in the way to much when entering engine hatch. I can't figure out how to insert picture or else it would be included.

I am now at Qty 6 x 6 volt 235 AH batteries, no issues with us being on the hook and no generator for 6 days. We have 320 Watts of solar, I may add another panel to get to 480 watts of solar which will give me 30 amps of charging from the sun!

Hope your enjoying the warmer weather we have had this far!

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2001 328 Vista "Nauta Dream 2"
AB Inflatable 10AL "Little Dreamer"
2000 248 Vista
1997 225 Sundowner


Mike