242 batteries
 

So I forget what the battery set up should be in my 242. I bought this boat back after selling it many years ago. 89 242, I have a starting battery on the starboard side and a dual purpose on the port side. All stock wiring, stock battery switch so can select one or the other or both. I always have it on both and so my question is if i run it on both...does this defeat the purpose of the starting battery? I guess, what do others have in their boats. Should I have 2 dual purpose? I can see having a starting battery if that battery is dedicated to the starter motor.

I start mine and run it on both. When I get to the hangout spot I either turn all off or only #2 on if playing stereo. That saves at least one for starting if the stereo plays too long. I don't really get why you would leave it on both all the time but if that's your thing just go for both batteries being a good marine deep cycle.

On my Formulas, I've run them on all to start (for no reason other than that's how I've always done it), and then fall back to the house battery (#2) for normal operation (after letting the alternators top off both). Once I'm at a spot where I want tunes, etc, I leave it on the house battery. I only run on the starting battery (#1) for situations where the house battery is really low. Once started up and running, I go back on to the house battery to start charging. This way has left me with plenty of starting power to get home after a long day out.

Thanks for the input gents!