I have a North River with a 350 and Kodiak jet. I have two batteries that have been in it since new and it’s time to change them out for new ones. I have the Perko switch (1,2,both,off) does anyone know if both batteries charge in any setting and only supply power when set to the respective number. What is the standard wiring setup, is 1 the house or starting battery? Can I install a high cranking amp battery for starting and a deep cycle for the house and not have charging problems?
I have been looking into different batteries and have narrowed it down to the Odyssey or Optima. Any other brands that I should look into? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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That's bold talk for a one eyed fat man!
Great questions.I don't have the answers,but I'm definitely going follow along because I have the same set-up and have been curious about the same thing.
With 2 batteries is it better to have a starting and a deep cycle?
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Work Hard, Play Harder,Pray Hardest.
I went to ODYSSEY AGM's they are great but you have to get the proper battery charger the old style (on board or portable will burn them up) you have to get a charger for AGM's that doesn't go over 14.1 volts
They will take lots of amperage on a charge without damaging them but it's the voltage that kills them (according to owner's manual that came with batteries)
The alternator on your boat motor is O K it will adjust on it's own
The ones I got are a combo battery so it doesn't matter which battery I am on I can start the motor or run accessories
It's a pain to sit on the hook running on the acc. batt. then hook a fish have to switch to fire up your main then switch back when you get back up on the hook
When you use one deep cycle and one starter battery it's a hassel changing them back and forth
Mine are great I charged them up last fall and disconnected them (make sure you have no parasitic draw disconnect at the batteries) then parked the boat outside
Haven't touched them all winter checked them last weekend with my FLUKE meter and they both read 13.2 volts lead acid or gel would probably have been dead
They really put out the amps when starting the motor And you can mount them in any position except upside down
Also they are heavy I have group 24's and they are 47 lbs each that's almost 100lbs of batteries (I have seen some guys use a much smaller AGM and they work just fine because they put out lots of amperage)
On the plus side they are supposed to have a 10+ year life
When you are on the 1 setting you are running off 1 and charging 1 also with 2 same thing if you are on both you run off both and charge both
Normaly the 1 position is starting and 2 is accessory
About the only time you would use the both position is when the batteries are low and neither battery by itself will turn the motor over
To check which position is which battery disconnect one battery at the battery turn battery switch to position 1 turn key to on position check your volt meter on your dash if it reads voltage that is your position 1 battery if no voltage then that is your position 2 battery
The other battery will be the other position
also don't mix battery type (both should be either gel or AGM)
And NEVER NEVER TURN THE BATTERY SWITCH OFF WHEN THE MOTOR IS RUNNING (very bad for alternator!!!!!)
Hope this helps
I don't want to make it sound like you are stupid but I am not sure how much of this you already know
unless you are using an isolator,altenator output it will only charge the battery selected.I usually run on both till I'm on hook then switch to 1 or 2.Have read this can be bad if alt. goes out you would drain both,I just keep an eye on voltage.I believe most FF will display voltage.
LURP, thanks for the excellent feedback. The Odyssey is really the way I was leaning and it is nice to have someone else give a little help in that direction. Do you know which model you have, I was looking at the PC1500, 825 CCA. Is that to much? Thanks again.
__________________
That's bold talk for a one eyed fat man!
WOW! They are really proud of those Odyssey batteries the one place I called the PC1500 was $279.99 each, is it worth the money?
I checked to see which battery was the starting and the house. My setup is which ever battery you have selected (1, 2, or All) is the one that does everything. I'm trying to figure what the advantage and disadvantage would be to this setup, any ideas.
__________________
That's bold talk for a one eyed fat man!
I went to ODYSSEY AGM's they are great but you have to get the proper battery charger the old style (on board or portable will burn them up) you have to get a charger for AGM's that doesn't go over 14.1 volts
They will take lots of amperage on a charge without damaging them but it's the voltage that kills them (according to owner's manual that came with batteries)
The alternator on your boat motor is O K it will adjust on it's own
The ones I got are a combo battery so it doesn't matter which battery I am on I can start the motor or run accessories
It's a pain to sit on the hook running on the acc. batt. then hook a fish have to switch to fire up your main then switch back when you get back up on the hook
When you use one deep cycle and one starter battery it's a hassel changing them back and forth
Mine are great I charged them up last fall and disconnected them (make sure you have no parasitic draw disconnect at the batteries) then parked the boat outside
Haven't touched them all winter checked them last weekend with my FLUKE meter and they both read 13.2 volts lead acid or gel would probably have been dead
They really put out the amps when starting the motor And you can mount them in any position except upside down
Also they are heavy I have group 24's and they are 47 lbs each that's almost 100lbs of batteries (I have seen some guys use a much smaller AGM and they work just fine because they put out lots of amperage)
On the plus side they are supposed to have a 10+ year life
When you are on the 1 setting you are running off 1 and charging 1 also with 2 same thing if you are on both you run off both and charge both
Normaly the 1 position is starting and 2 is accessory
About the only time you would use the both position is when the batteries are low and neither battery by itself will turn the motor over
To check which position is which battery disconnect one battery at the battery turn battery switch to position 1 turn key to on position check your volt meter on your dash if it reads voltage that is your position 1 battery if no voltage then that is your position 2 battery
The other battery will be the other position
also don't mix battery type (both should be either gel or AGM)
And NEVER NEVER TURN THE BATTERY SWITCH OFF WHEN THE MOTOR IS RUNNING (very bad for alternator!!!!!)
Hope this helps
I don't want to make it sound like you are stupid but I am not sure how much of this you already know
Man, if all answers would be that thorough. Thanks much for the info!
__________________
Work Hard, Play Harder,Pray Hardest.
I am pretty sure the PC1500 are the ones I have
I paid $239 apiece last year but feel they are worth it so far when all I have to do is charge and disconnect then don't touch them all winter
justfish
Thanks for the compliment I try my best to be thorough with out making it sound like I think the other person is stupid
Need new batteries!
The Odyssey is really the way I was leaning and it is nice to have someone else give a little help in that direction. Do you know which model you have, I was looking at the PC1500, 825 CCA. Is that to much? Thanks again. 
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