Trojan Boat Forum

Ok, this weekend I took out the boat for the first time since installing a new sound system. The new sound system is a 400w. 5 speaker in total (4 in the outside, 1 in the cabin). Everything was nice until i anchor at the sandbar and i turn off the boat, swtich the batteries off, but i leave radio playing (The previous owner connected the radio straight to the batteries, and i have not changed it). after about 2 to 3 hours the batteries were dying due to the use of the radio. I turned on the engine to charge the batteries so i won't be left stranded. I decided to turn off the stereo because the batteries were really dying and i did not want to keep the engine on to save fuel.

I do not have a generator. I do have a small solar panel that is connected to the batteries.

How can I enjoy music on my boat, without having the engine on, and without being stranded without batteries nor gas??

and without spending $$$$ on a generator?

Sounds like you should be shopping for an inverter and installing a seperate bank of "house bateries" isolated from your start battery(s).

Configure a house battery as suggested. I've used my stereo for hours at a time on the hook, VHF and chart plotter left on and rarely ever have a problem.

do you have the paperwork for the stereo system? if so, does it tell you how many amps the system draws?

A house battery with an isolator, so it charges from your engine (along with your other battery(s)), but the stereo will only draw form this house battery....

Why would you need an inverter to run a 12VDC stereo?

F-27 with no genny or inverter system?? is that normal? Engine batteries only??? Im just asking as a general ???? normal setup??? seems alot of boat for this IMO of what I have been studing and asking about. Shore power only and then boating limited?

Yeah, as far as i know the boat only came like that... Or a previous owner took them out..

jefflaw35 wrote:F-27 with no genny or inverter system?? is that normal? Engine batteries only??? Im just asking as a general ???? normal setup??? seems alot of boat for this IMO of what I have been studing and asking about. Shore power only and then boating limited?

A factory generator on a f-25, f-26, or f-27 will be a rare thing.

ok was just my understanding that the 27 owners had a little more. I was just asking for good reason. but only engine batteries still? Not that its a bad thing on him. I would think some kind of system was installed over the years. but I shouldnt speak because my 25 was the same way. 400watt stereo is alot. I would assume thats the system total, not a 400 watt amplifier. more like each speaker being 75 watts and drawing on its own??? still a large system and will kill batteries fast with in hours if not on a large bank when being played at high rate? at least thats the way it works in cars, we used to use large power capacitators to hold power for our low decibles. Sorry folks in not a spelling B kinda guy.

Ok I researched a little and I should really get a house bank. I am thinking of having the cranking house be charged by the solar panel. And the house bank is charged by shore power. No I just need two deep cycle batteries and a charger...

LLCD wrote:Ok I researched a little and I should really get a house bank. I am thinking of having the cranking house be charged by the solar panel. And the house bank is charged by shore power. No I just need two deep cycle batteries and a charger...

Why not do it the other way? Put the solar charger on the deep cycle house bank. That should be the one that needs it when at anchor.
Once you have a house bank you put things like stereo and frig on it.... those are biggest loads while at anchor. The cranking side should not have much load left... lights, electronics...
Use a multiple bank smart charger and have it charge both banks on shore power.
That way you should be set.
Oh by the way consider using two 6 Volt deep cycle batteries in series for your house bank..... they handle the frequent discharge better than one 12 V... unless you are paying for top of the line 12V batteries.

I agree with ready123 on the 'smart charger' w/ multiple banks, and the 6volt batteries for the house bank. Also install an isolator to charge the house bank while the engine is running.

Allen Sr wrote:Also install an isolator to charge the house bank while the engine is running.

Agree with that..... Had twins for too many years now and never think of that.... one engine charging house other the engine batteries is my setup.

rossjo wrote:A house battery with an isolator, so it charges from your engine (along with your other battery(s)), but the stereo will only draw form this house battery....

Why would you need an inverter to run a 12VDC stereo?

You wouldn't. But it is a good size boat. Maybe to plug in a computer, coffee maker or, heaven forbid, a blender.

on the mid cabin's, there is no "house" bank. The house also serves as the start batteries. I added two 6v batts tied together to exclusively run my wet bar fridge.

My Start batteries run my inside fridge, stereo, etc., and I have no problem going for an overnight with that setup. I don't have an isolator or inverter. I bought TV's that have approx. 13v power supplies and just hard wired them.

You should be able to go all day on the stereo for sure....


Bob