• Registered: 2005-03-12
  • Posts: 101

Topic: One or More Batteries?

I have a very simple boat.  I have only one battery which I charge off my outboard plus a full charge at the beginning of the season (yeah, I know I'm probably violating some sort of battery maintenance ideal here but I have to take out the floor to remove my battery so I don't like to do it very often.)

Question: am I at risk with only one battery?  If it gets inadvertantly drained (e.g. my three year old leaves all the lights on) will I be able to use the outboard's alternator to run house systems even if attached to a drained battery?  Is this an ok thing to do?

  • Adrian
  • Adrian
  • Administrator
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  • From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • Registered: 2005-04-18
  • Posts: 542

Re: One or More Batteries?

This depends on the charging capacity of the alternator on the outboard. Is it rated for a higher amperage than the load of your house systems?

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  • Registered: 2005-03-12
  • Posts: 101

Re: One or More Batteries?

It's 6 amps.  V x A = 72 watts.  Daytime draw is 2 watts.  Nighttime is 40-50 watts.  So I've got some headroom.  Will the battery act as a bit of a black hole?