DUAL BATTERIES 4 MY 86 BFN!

why don't you just post it here, then the questions will be already answered

yes - interesteed.

86BFN wrote: Mine starts just fine with one battery. Who needs a stereo when you have a 454?

At idle your boat already sounds like the beginning to "Hot for teacher"!

briguy86BFN wrote: If anyone is interested in adding batteries and automatic switches to their late model correct craft, I would be happy to share with you what I did to accomodate this on my 1986 Barefoot Nautique.

Bling! Bling! Look at the responses to your initial post!!!!!! What really are you trying to accomplish?   

I used 1/2 by 2.5" aluminum strap. Cut one pies 2.5" long. The other piece is 12" long with two holes evenly spaced at one end. Using a transfer punch I marked the two holes on the smaller (bracket) 2.5" piece. I drilled and tapped the 2.5" piece to accomodate two 5/16 coarse thread bolts. I cut the bottom corner off of my bracket at a 45 about a 1/2 off so that it would flush up to the raised of the bell housing bolt. There is a unused bolt hole next to the bell housing bolt that is used to mount this bracket to.



The long piece or "mounting bar" securely bolted to the bracket is now ready for the Battery switch.



I used 1/4 aluminum 3/4 wide strap with 1/4 20 stainless bolts with stainless lock washers and stainless nylock nuts.



The black box is an automatic relay. With the red switch in the combine batteries mode it starts charging both batteries as soon as the boat is started. When you turn the boat off it switches over to battery B (Designated for auxilary power for stereo etc.) keeping battery A designated specifically for the motor.

Engine cover and floor clear easily with no obstruction.

Things to consider: You have to replace your stock alternator if you haven't already done so. IF you are wanting to run speakers find out how many amps it will be pulling and choose your "marine" alternator accordingly. You definitely want a good alternator that will charge your two batteries efficiently without working too hard. The alternator I am using produces a 140 amps.

Having these batteries in the back is a benefit for a couple reasons: One it adds weight 100lbs for these two batteries making for a bigger wake for wake boarding. It also puts the battery(s) closer to the motor without having to make long runs with your battery wire. I used 1/0 premium battery wire. You will have to cut every wire run and crimp the 3/8 cable ends to connect to your starter, switch, and ground. If you don't have heavy duty crimpers some local Orielly's have the tool to use depending on your local store. I used Tsunami Battery Terminals which had two 1/0 holes and Two 16 AWG holes. They are heavy duty and clean! This project took me a full weekend to complete.

Nice job with the batteries, Install looks nice and clean. Interesting placement on the tower.

That tower looks so wrong. It appears to be mounted back to front also to get your tow point closer to where it should have been.

I would be worried about it's structural integrity. Did you mention to the tower manufacturer your reverse mounting?

This picture shows the wave tower on the owners boat of Big Air Towers - perhaps he mounted his backwards too...

interesting tower. seems like the tow point is alittle far back

Do Coast Guard regulations require the battery(s) to be in a box of some sort?? Seem to think here in Illinois it is required.

Have some experience with reverse arch towers, not sure if you have had yours out with the tower yet but do be careful whenever coming around for a downed skier, the line will constantly get caught in the boards/board racks unless you take REALLY wide turns, if you are not careful you can pull the boards right off the racks.

Nice battery install, the BFN does look very nice and tidy.

The tower isn't to my taste but each to his own and I guess it suits you, on the MC the placement just looks like a total pain in the 4r53 when trying to get in an out over the gunwales though.

The tow point looks to be about where the pylon would be if extended up...although the picture of the MC does have it back further

lewy2001 wrote: briguy86BFN wrote: This picture shows the wave tower on the owners boat of Big Air Towers - perhaps he mounted his backwards too... I stand corrected. Maybe it just looks like it is on reverse because you have mounted it further back. It still looks so wrong.

LOL - Opinions are like ass holes everybody has one! Good thing I didn't buy and install this to your taste!   

86BFN wrote:     Maybe it's for backwards barefootin'.     I do like the color of the boat!

Back at ya!

Interesting tower. The MC tow point is actually in front of the ski pylon...its a v-drive. Althought I wonder how the two towers work together????