Can I add another battery

[paulsmith]

My Westerly Griffon still has its original single battery setup, so I would like to add a second battery. For ease of installation and not least keeping costs down I would like to use the least complicated method. any suggestions?
Cheers, Paul

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[Althorne]

If you go to the "Reading College" web site and find 'boat electrics course' the manual to accompany the course will tell you what you need to know. I would also suggest taking the course it's very good.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://colvicownersclub.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk>http://colvicownersclub.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk</A>

 

[boatmike]

I would recommend "Boat Electrical Systems" by Dag Pike. Adlard Coles. Very simple and straightforward explanation of alternative systems for the novice.
Not expensive either.

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[ditchcrawler]

On my first boat I only had one battery for starting & instuments,lights etc & I did not want to go to the trouble of a switch(1/2/all) & the wiring it involved so I added another battery wired in parallel to the first battery(neg to neg,pos to pos) & increased my amphours from 75 to 150.You need to really replace both batteries at the same time ie do not mix an old one with a new one & I think they need to be the same size & type ie lead or gel.There are people here with alot more knowledge than me but for a simple upgrade it worked for me with leisure type dual purpose batteries.

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