adding battery power

Looking for advice as I just added a 500w Kicker 5channel amp and 12" sub on my '89 ski naughty...I have standard alternator & Optima blue top, should I add additonal battery w/ switch? change to a high amp alternator? adding a small solar charger for while sitting? Looking for some insurance besides the cables I usually bring along...

Just read your previous post Randy. My dad rebuilds alternators and starters for a living. So a couple years ago when I told him I was going to add a second battery for my amp and accessories he told me about the isolator. All I had ever heard of guys doing is using the switch. I did a little research about the isolator and found out that it is ideal for what most rec. boaters want. Here is a link to the one I have.

http://www.ase-supply.com/product_p/sp-952.htm

You do have to re-wire your system a little. All accessories that you want to run to the backup battery you must disconnect from the primary (starting) battery. What I did was, went to Academy sporting goods and bought a fuse gang block. I mounted it under my dash. Then all the accessories I wanted to run off the backup battery (amp, radio, cig. lighter, horn, ballast pumps, bilge pump, running lights, interior lights) I ran the hot wire from each accessory to a post on the gang block, then one hot wire from the gang block to the battery.

The system works great. I use a red top optima for my cranking battery and a $60 marine deep cycle from AutoZone for my backup. You can run the backup battery completely dead and crank the boat right up. It never draws a charge from the primary.

Randy - I've considered a 2nd battery in my '93 Sport as well. Where did you end up putting the 2nd battery in your boat?

Ok, just got off the phone with my dad. The alternator he built me has the internal regulator rated for 100 amps. It is a one wire alternator, all I have is the orange wire coming from it to the circuit breaker. Then to the solenoid and isolator. I asked him what kind of application that came off of and he said that it may be hard to find but maybe NAPA might have it but may have been on the 85-86 Camaro.

He said if you try to get it from NAPA to ask for a 1 wire 90-100 amp alternator.

You probably will have to change the pulley on it.

Or he will sale you one for $130 + freight. You can call him at 318-487-9845. His name is Rudy. Tell him what it is going on and he'll get it right out to ya.

bradtm16 wrote: I asked him what kind of application that came off of and he said that it may be hard to find but maybe NAPA might have it but may have been on the 85-86 Camaro. He said if you try to get it from NAPA to ask for a 1 wire 90-100 amp alternator.

Brad - Please make sure you installed a marine alternator. From your description it sounds like an automotive unit.

The auto alternator could cause an explosion.

Brad,
Marine components have a different sealing system and or venting. It's a safety measure to prevent explosions from gas fumes built up in the bilge.

Alternators spark!!!

Brad - The marine alternator has screens at the air vents so that the sparks can't ignite any fuel vapors. I don't think electrically there is any difference but I am not an expert on that. Good luck, maybe you can use your old housing.

Brad - I am a Quality Engineer for a agricultural equipment manufacturer.

Good luck on the job hunt, it could be slim pickings right now.

Man, I wander why people always come on here and talk crap about this website. I mean it is such a great place to find info and help and tips on fixing their Nautique.

Oh, and then you have people like Chris that enjoy being an A$$HOLE it seems and give the site a bad rep. It's cool though, I'll still come here to find help and try to help others, POLITELY.

By the way my starter, distributer and coil are all marine grade.

I was looking at this marine alternator that I found on DIM website and did not notice any mesh screen where I assume it should be covering the vent holes on the bottom of the alternator. Does the mesh cover the side holes in the alternator?
http://www.skidim.com/prodinfo.asp?number=RA097006

Lookee what I found. Yeah this is the same style alternator that I have, I guess it is a 10 or 12si like Chris said. Mine has a 90 or 100 amp regulator though.

http://store.alternatorparts.com/partno201591delcooe11005761100577110089411009121100914110091511023931102496mercurymarineoe560455975569729omcoe9834.aspx

Anyways, when I get home, I'll get with my dad and see if he can order the housing with the mesh screen built onto it.

This leads to question though, why do I see so many of the marine alternators without the mesh, are those for fuel injected boats, whats the deal?

bradtm16 wrote: Man, I wander why people always come on here and talk crap about this website. I mean it is such a great place to find info and help and tips on fixing their Nautique. Oh, and then you have people like Chris that enjoy being an A$$HOLE it seems and give the site a bad rep. It's cool though, I'll still come here to find help and try to help others, POLITELY. By the way my starter, distributer and coil are all marine grade.

I believe the shoe fit's you much better.