Best way to setup stereo system and batteries?
 

Ive got two batteries, one for each motor. Seems like I end up running the battery down pretty fast with the amp and stereo on while hanging out in the coves.

Whats the best way to setup a 500w Directive Amp and Sony Xplod head unit so that I dont have to worry about the motors startin up when I head out.

I have an onboard battery charger with shore power but would like to get a full weekend out of the batterys without having to recharge. The stereo voltage drops way out on hard beats, should I put a capacitator in to help it recover?

How do you guys have yours set up?

A full weekend without recharging??? not gonna happen if you run the system hard.....i had 4 batts on my scarab.....each motor had its own dedicated battery...the main electrical system had its own battery and the stereo had its own battery......i had 4 switches for it all and could switch to any combination of batteries if need be. Most times i ran the stereo till it starts cutting out then switch to one of the engine batts...once that one was going low i would either turn it way down or start the engines up and let it run for a while to charge back up....i never had any problems with not having cranking juice for the engines at the end of the day. :)

I was going to try something similar to this. I want to have one batt for house (gauges, lights, etc), one batt to start both engines, and then a bank of batts (2+) for amps. I'm wiring everything from scratch though so it's a little easier for me.


http://www.amplepower.com/primer/pwrsys/index.html

The only problem i see with that setup as shown is both alternators are wired together....the voltage regulators will be fighting each other...i'm not sure what that "Smart next step regulator" is though....

I just talked to Bob at Amplepower... he said, first of all, the drawing is outdated. There is a new regulator I should use called SARV3 along with their dual alt controller. ~$575 total package.

He also said I needed externally regulated alternators.