Thread:

generator to run stereo

I did it for a while but for me it made me feel uncomfortable with the heat buildup in the engine hatch which zapped engine preformance. I did not want to leave the hatch open while parked somewhere either. I had the exhaust go out like Tim did also. Of course with the big ass batteries I used in conjunction with a high capacity charger it added a lot of weight which also zapped preformance. I would plug it in at the slip when the boat was left in the water and by the next day it was good to go. Never ran out of juice, ever. I just felt a lot more safer with batteries -vs- the generator under the hatch.

Different strokes for different folks......

Originally Posted by DILLIGAF

I did it for a while but for me it made me feel uncomfortable with the heat buildup in the engine hatch which zapped engine preformance. I did not want to leave the hatch open while parked somewhere either. I had the exhaust go out like Tim did also. Of course with the big ass batteries I used in conjunction with a high capacity charger it added a lot of weight which also zapped preformance. I would plug it in at the slip when the boat was left in the water and by the next day it was good to go. Never ran out of juice, ever. I just felt a lot more safer with batteries -vs- the generator under the hatch.

Different strokes for different folks......

Same here, I dumped the Genny off the Boat, added a 3rd battery (2nd for Stereo) and put the charger on them at night and good to go for the next day. I ran it for about 6 hours straight this past weekend and never went low. Pushing about 4,000 watts for Stereo equipment.

Originally Posted by UHHH SUCKA

Same here, I dumped the Genny off the Boat, added a 3rd battery (2nd for Stereo) and put the charger on them at night and good to go for the next day. I ran it for about 6 hours straight this past weekend and never went low. Pushing about 4,000 watts for Stereo equipment.

I'm looking into installing a gen in my boat, but is sounds like it isn't a good idea. What kind of batteries are you using to power your system? What are you running in that boat?

Originally Posted by DILLIGAF

I just felt a lot more safer with batteries -vs- the generator under the hatch.

+1

As long as the stereo system is set up and tuned properly for max efficiency, you are much better off with a couple of high performance batteries on one channel of your Perko to run the system. Safer, cheaper, and more reliable.

I have (2) Odyssey PC2250 HD Drycell Batteries mounted in the engine compartment for the stereo (an equal drycell AGM would work just as well for less $$) and (2) blue top Optima’s for engine starting, all tied to an isolator that is connected to the alternator and to an Iota DLS-55IQ4 battery charger permanently mounted in the boat w/ a 20ft cord. I’m on my 4th year with this set up and I’ve never had an issue. I run the stereo all day and into the late hours of the night pushing 3 amps with no issue. It’s also nice with the IQ4, I leave it plugged in all winter when the boat is home and it keeps the batteries fresh, without over charging. With some good batteries, you could also look into a higher output alternator, the stock one’s are usually very low output. I haven’t needed to upgrade my alternator and I’ve still been good for a few days on the water without pulling the boat out or having a place to plug in.

The Honda 2000 set up does work well; I personally don’t like the heat issue or the exhaust collecting around the back of the boat where people could be. It’s not like it goes through a cat or anything to make it safe, and exhaust hovers low to the water, so it can be really bad for people swimming.

Poly Performance JEEP/TRUCK & BUGGY*::*Battery & Accessories*::*Odyssey Batteries*::*Odyssey PC2250 HD Drycell Battery - 4X4 Off-Road Parts, JK Synergy Suspension Systems, Fox Racing Shox, Beard, CNC Brakes, Johnny Joints®, Currie Enterprises, Edelbr

IOTA DLS-55/IQ4 12 VOLT 55 AMP 3 STAGE AUTOMATIC SMART BATTERY CHARGER / POWER SUPPLY

I know Wired For Sound in Murrieta can do the install with the generator if you wana get it done. I was in there last week getting a new sound system installed in my Cobra and they were telling me how they just did it for a customers boat. I asked them what it would cost to do something like that and without the generator it was about $2K. Granted the boat they did had a MONSTER stereo system.

I added a 3rd battery to mine after they installed it. They only problem i ran into this weekend was my amps would shut down down from over-heating. I ended up seeing Adam from Wired For Sound at the sandbar and he told they need to raise the amps a bit off the wall and install fans behind them. They were installed behind the right side mid cabin seat so theres no air flow whats-so-ever to them.

I have 3 group 27 series Interstate deep cycle batteries, battery #1 is a starting/deep cycle battery and the other two on the #2 switch are Interstate marine deep cycles for stereo use when the engine is off and im anchored, beached, etc.

My sound system: the head unit is a Kenwood BT948HD, 6-Kicker 6x9's powered by a Kicker ZX650.4 amp, one 12" Kicker L7 Solobaric woofer with a custom box underneath the bench seat powered by a Kicker ZX750.1 amp.

One thing i will deffenetly do in the next month is get an onboard battery charger installed with the connection wired into the back swim step all nice and neat. I had noticed that playing my stereo for a few hours my batteries got way low and by Sunday the system started shutting down after playing for a few hours with the motor off. They were new batteries but they just didnt have enough time to recover/charge over the few previous days of playing even after running the boat. The alternator just doesnt put out enough to juice to fully charge 3 batteries in the short amount of time you run in Parker.

Anyways, thats just my experience i had this weekend in Parker with my new set-up.

Why aren't more people using 6 volt golf cart batteries for their stereos? I use 2 of these in my trailer when we go to the desert and I am good for 4-5 days of moderate use no problem. They have a much deeper cycle than standard or marine 12 volts do. Difference in weight is minimal. Just curious.