adding a second battery

YBW0S0

YBW0S0

New Member
Feb 20, 2011
5
Tampa, Fl
Boat Info
180 BR SEA RAY - BOAT & MOTORS CLEARWATER FL
Engines
MERCRUISER WITH ALPHA ONE
Where can I place a second battery to my 1999 Sea Ray 180 BR. Seems I don't have enough room to place it next to the other one. Any ideas? And also how do I go about it?
 
YBW0S0 said:
Where can I place a second battery to my 1999 Sea Ray 180 BR. Seems I don't have enough room to place it next to the other one. Any ideas? And also how do I go about it?
Click to expand...
If it’s set up anything like my kids 2005 180 Maxum Bow Rider then there is no easy way to do it. There battery is on the starboard side behind a seat back. You’ve got to maneuver it through a cut out in the fiberglass to get it in there. Once in, the trim pump, steering cable, and battery take up all the real estate.
The port side space behind the seat is taken up completely with the gas tank.
I’ve come to the conclusion that the easiest thing to do is to get one of those small jump packs for them to keep in the glove box or under a bow cushion so they will have it if they kill the battery.
 
If you're simply trying to increase the storage capacity of the battery, you might want to consider replacing your lead battery with a lithium ion battery that is about the same physical size. It will have much more capacity.

Here's a couple options:
This one is 100 Ah and not very big - only 28 pounds.
https://www.lithiumbatterypower.com/collections/frontpage/products/12v-100ah-lithium-battery
This one is 150 Ah and a little bigger, but still only 50 pounds. That's still probably lighter than the lead battery you currently have and it is definitely a lot more amp-hours.
https://www.lithiumion-batteries.co...n-batteries/12v-150ah-lithium-ion-battery.php

The main drawback is of course the price. But keep in mind these batteries will last much longer than a typical lead battery.
 
In my 185, the batteries are on opposite sides in the storage area on either side of the engine. I have the rear sunpad configuration, not the two jump seats on either side of the engine.
 
JVM225 said:
If it’s set up anything like my kids 2005 180 Maxum Bow Rider then there is no easy way to do it. There battery is on the starboard side behind a seat back. You’ve got to maneuver it through a cut out in the fiberglass to get it in there. Once in, the trim pump, steering cable, and battery take up all the real estate.
The port side space behind the seat is taken up completely with the gas tank.
I’ve come to the conclusion that the easiest thing to do is to get one of those small jump packs for them to keep in the glove box or under a bow cushion so they will have it if they kill the battery.
Click to expand...
I like your idea, but first I'm going to see if it is possible to add the second battery and place it underneath the starboard seat (I do believe it is the bait well, I don't used it ) and from there run the cables a short distance to the switch and main battery. If it gets to difficult I'm going with jump pack Thanks!
 
Wylie_Tunes said:
What if you turn the existing one 90*? Done that in a couple cases.
Click to expand...
Not much room at all and the surface is not even. Ithink I'm going to try to place the battery underneath the starboard seat cushion (bait well I do not used it) and run the cables to the other battery and switch. I may have to somehow raise the cushion a bit with a couple pieces of 1x2 wood strip molding, that will give me enough clearance....is either that or buy a jump pack and keep it for emergency. Thanks again
 
capn mike said:
If you're simply trying to increase the storage capacity of the battery, you might want to consider replacing your lead battery with a lithium ion battery that is about the same physical size. It will have much more capacity.

Here's a couple options:
This one is 100 Ah and not very big - only 28 pounds.
https://www.lithiumbatterypower.com/collections/frontpage/products/12v-100ah-lithium-battery
This one is 150 Ah and a little bigger, but still only 50 pounds. That's still probably lighter than the lead battery you currently have and it is definitely a lot more amp-hours.
https://www.lithiumion-batteries.co...n-batteries/12v-150ah-lithium-ion-battery.php

The main drawback is of course the price. But keep in mind these batteries will last much longer than a typical lead battery.
Click to expand...

Wow, had no idea they were that expensive! They'd have to last 10 times longer than a lead acid battery to recoup that price.
 
YBW0S0 said:
Not much room at all and the surface is not even. Ithink I'm going to try to place the battery underneath the starboard seat cushion (bait well I do not used it) and run the cables to the other battery and switch. I may have to somehow raise the cushion a bit with a couple pieces of 1x2 wood strip molding, that will give me enough clearance....is either that or buy a jump pack and keep it for emergency. Thanks again
Click to expand...
Go with an AGM and turn it on its side.
 
Google for lithium jump starter or battery pack.
 
YBW0S0 said:
I like your idea, but first I'm going to see if it is possible to add the second battery and place it underneath the starboard seat (I do believe it is the bait well, I don't used it ) and from there run the cables a short distance to the switch and main battery. If it gets to difficult I'm going with jump pack Thanks!
Click to expand...

My kids little boat has the well under the starboard seat too.
The two problems I see:
1. If the boat has the battery on the starboard side (like my kid’s does) you’d be adding the weight of the second battery to that side. Doesn’t take much weight to make that little boat list to one side and there are no trim tabs to level it out.
2. The second battery needs to be vented. You could overcome this by using AGM batteries, but they get pricey and you’ll likely still have to open that space up to fit the second battery.
 
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