www.iFourWinns.com

I need to increase my house battery capacity and was thinking about adding a second house battery for 3 total (2 house 1 starting) I have the factory 2 bank charger, can I just connect the house batteries parallel and use the same charger, or go with 2 6V in series?

Also with my battery switch "on" after a night of movies, radio, and refrigerator when I start the engine the voltage drops to the point the CO alarms sound off. It is my understanding in the manual that the house battery should be isolated from the start battery. I am wondering if the previous owner could have mixed something up so that I am drawing everything off 1 or both batteries instead of having them isolated. Ever seen such a thing?

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2000 268 Vista "Reely Nauti"
http://www.facebook.com/#!/rivercruiser

I think it will depend on the charger output. Any idea what it is or what make and model charger you have. You will need 5 amps of charger output per battery, so with 2 12 volt on one leg of the charger you would need 10 amps and 5 on the other leg. Not sure how the charger will like unequal loads on it all the time, and not sure if the 2 6 volt in series would help your cause or not...

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Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)

it is a guest 20 amp charger 10/10
http://www.marinco.com/product/20-amp-d ... ng-charger

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2000 268 Vista "Reely Nauti"
http://www.facebook.com/#!/rivercruiser

I would say you should be alright with 2 12 volts in parallel. Maybe somebody else has some experience with it

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Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)

I have 3 batteries on my 02 268 Vista with the 2 house batteries connected in parallel. I have interstate deep cycle 29s for the house batts and have not had any issues with capacity when on the hook for the day or overnight. I have the factory standard charger and have experienced no issues at all. Be sure to check your water levels in the cells on a regular basis. My starting battery is an Interstate 31 and is segregated from the house batts.

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2008 V338
Twin Volvo Penta 320hp DP

2002 268 Vista
1987 225 Sundowner
1986 170 Horizon
1975 Steury V415SS