www.iFourWinns.com

Last summer I had to be jump started 3 times from running the stereo over 3 1/2 hours. So while I was at it, I went ahead and replaced my Amp power & ground cables with #2 welding cable (about the equivelant to 3 ga.)

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H210SS 6.2
F150 Platinum

Brent - no Perko switch? You just gonna run her dead and charge as needed?

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

Looks great!

Why the welding cable rather than 2 guage power wire? price?

No desire to go dual-batteries?

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

Let me get this straight..... You had issues running the batt dead, so you've replaced it, but still only have one batt? Please do a search of the forums. I do remember discussions related to applications of Deep Cycle vs Cranking batts. I'm going to assume you still have the cranking batt for starting and the "normal" loads, and simply installed this one to run the amps and stereo. That's the setup my in-law uses, but has a relay for charging the stereo batt anytime the boat is running.

Kudos on using welding cable for power of the stereo components. The high frequencies that the amp and stereo generate and use are more easily passed using the fine mesh of welding cable, compared to the larger diameter of standard cables. This should minimize noise on the speakers, and other random "issues" with things like the fuel pump and ignition.

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Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

I can tell by the location, this is a secondary battery, not the main cranking battery.

I am working on the same project right now myself, but I am going to just have 2 cranking batteries connected by a Perko switch. If I could get my hands on long enough battery cables today, I would be working on it.

_________________
Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

I put the dual batt system in my old '88 Horizon a couple of years ago, one of the best mods I have done to it. The old cables were all salt corroded anyway so I ran all new cables, switch and put in 2 group 27 dual purpose batteries. I just alternate the use of the batteries from one trip to the next. Never a starting failure in the 5 years I have this system. I recommend dual purpose batteries for smaller boats where the electrical system is not divided into engine and house loads, it keeps things simpler and works very well.

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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

Yep. The ONLY thing this battery does is power the amp. I did not spend the extra $50 - $60 to put it on a switch. If I run this batt dead, it would take about 8 hours of engine running time to re-charge it. It should give me about 6 hours of play before it needs re-charging anyway.

The cable cost me pennies vs. purchasing specific audio grade cable @ $5.50/ft.

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H210SS 6.2
F150 Platinum

I mounted my secondary battery today, in the same spot. I have to get some cables though to get it all connected...but its at least part of the way done.

_________________
Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

I ordered the boat with the dual batt setup and intalled after market dual batt charger. When she comes off the water I always plug in the dual batt charger and I've always got 2 fully charged batteries. So far so good, never needed a jump.

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2008 H210SS VP 5.7 Gi/SX
2011 Ford F150 FX4 EB

Hey Brent - where is a good place for that welding wire? Seems like a good alternative to using car audio power cable? especially if the price is right!

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

Not sure where Brent got his, but we buy it for work at Grainger. My cost is $2.34/ft.

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1998 Baja Boss 252 7.4L MPI Bravo 1 (SOLD)
2007 FW H200SS 5.0GXI (Sold)
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew 6.0L (tow vehicle)
1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L (SOLD)

We buy it in VERY large quantities. My cost is just under $2/ft.
Call up your local welding supply store. I found this by doing a quick search.

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H210SS 6.2
F150 Platinum

I only buy 50 feet at a time from Gainger. WE do have an account there so not sure how much they charge the average jo.

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1998 Baja Boss 252 7.4L MPI Bravo 1 (SOLD)
2007 FW H200SS 5.0GXI (Sold)
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew 6.0L (tow vehicle)
1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L (SOLD)

Do you keep your boat at your house? Fit in the garage etc??

_________________
Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

Mine fits in the garage. With about 2 feet to spare.

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1998 Baja Boss 252 7.4L MPI Bravo 1 (SOLD)
2007 FW H200SS 5.0GXI (Sold)
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew 6.0L (tow vehicle)
1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L (SOLD)