Upgrade to dual batteries - Aquasport Explorer 215

[czizza]

Any body have recommendations on how to do this?

-I went out today and when I dropped the boat in the water the boat would not turn over. I had to go get another battery and then it turned over. It was 2 weeks since my last outing ... it could have been week.

[Capt. Bill]

I have a 97 that also came with one battery, What I did is mount a battery tray along side the main, parallel to the hull. A full size marine battery wont fit so I installed a small car battery with the highest cranking amps I could find. Mount the dual battery switch where your on off switch is, Wire the small battery as number 2 with nothing else on it. Wire everything else to number 1 which is your full size marine battery. Put a hose on the end on the rear rod holder so water doesn't drip on the battery. The only function the small battery serves is to start the engine when needed.  Just remember to run on it once in a while to keep it charged.

[Capt. Bob]

I'm guessing your one battery is located on the starboard storage compartment in the stern and your oil tank is mounted on the port side. That's the set up I had in my 92. The oil tank was mounted up on the transom with the second battery mounted underneath. Very tight quarters but it all fit. Maybe you could try relocating and fitting the battery there with the tank above.

Another plan (I believe a member has done this) is to relocate two batteries forward in the cabin area where the port-a-potty is stored.


Edit: As per SB, two group 24 batteries fit in the starboard compartment.

viewtopic.php?p=49686#p49686

[RickK]

My 230 is the same - I can barely get 2 group 24s in the starboard locker side by side, parallel to the transom - need a shoehorn to get them in there.

[Capt. Bill]

2 group 24's wouldn't fit on mine,  I tried every different angle I could find.  That's why I went with the car battery. It's been working for 15 years.  Eventually I measured a 99 explorer and the starboard compartment was slightly larger,  Not sure if it's a quirk on my boat or the 97 models as a whole.

[Capt. Bob]

Bill,
You're probably right because when I was looking at the 215 hull several years ago, I ran across a 2000 model that had twin batteries on the starboard compartment. On mine (yes a totally different hull) there was a group 27 on each side. I've since moved mine but I remember someone else having this same problem and moving them forward. I'll keep looking.

Is your oil tank on the port side and if so is it mounted to the transom or deck?

Edit: Well I found what I was looking for but unfortunately it wasn't an EX but rather an FF. Still may be room forward with the stow-a-way potty if it exists on that year 215 model.

viewtopic.php?p=73447#p73447

[Capt. Bill]

Bob,

My oil tank is as you said and sits in the middle of the port compartment and is mounted to the deck.  Looking into the comparment the water seperator is to the left and wash down pump to the right both on the transome. Add in all the hoses for the different systems and there was no way a battery was fitting in there.  Additionally, the old OMC oil tank was slightly larger then the one that came with the E-TEC.  I also have the port-a-potty that sides aft under the deck in the cabin with a small sump below it. Removing the pot wasn't and option back in the day because of the first mate and my daughters. I even considered removing the step insert in the cabin and mounting a battery under there. That seemed a bit too much work and I wasn't sure if modifying the bulkheads would have voided the warrenty. She was only a year old when I added the second battery. I ended up copying what I saw on the 98 model at the NY boat show....except the second battery didn't fit.        So after I finished casting "many expersions" I put in a smaller battery and solved the problem. At the show the following year I measurend the inside of the compartment on the 99 model and it was a couple of inches larger. Just enough to put in 2 batteries.

[Capt. Bob]

I ended up copying what I saw on the 98 model at the NY boat show....except the second battery didn't fit.        So after I finished casting "many expersions" I put in a smaller battery and solved the problem. At the show the following year I measurend the inside of the compartment on the 99 model and it was a couple of inches larger. Just enough to put in 2 batteries.

Good stuff.
So we now have a solid idea that the 96-97 215s are a "altered fit" for the use of two batteries and they expanded the starboard (maybe both) compartments starting in 98 to accompany the two battery option.

Thanks Bill.

[czizza]

Thanks for the updates. Sorry I did not respond sooner. I was away on holiday. I guess this will be my next winter project.