Recently midnight express Stated they have a new capacitor system that allows the engines to start on less batteries. Got me thinking.

With the standard center councils coming with 4, 5, or 6 engines that has traditionally amounted to equal amount of batteries.

However I know on the MTI if you have a dead battery you can do an emergency parallel which Start the engine with a dead battery.

Why not just have one battery for let’s say four engines.

Then just be more religious on making sure the battery is in good condition. The extra three just add a lot of complexity and weight.


Am I missing something.

You bring up a valid point. I hope others chime in.

Agree with you. I’d like to read a professional explanation why we need so many batteries.

Most cruisers have a ‘Parallel’ switch to link batteries, used it a few times when I had flat starboard batteries on a Sea Ray and couldn’t get replacements in a hurry. Hold the link switch, start the engine and enjoy your day. 🙂

Isn't two batteries enough?

RR

So, 6 engines, six 50lb batteries = 300lbs.
6 engines, 3 50lb batteries = 150lbs

15k-20k pound boat. :headscratcher

Also, fuel weighs approx 6lb gallon.
150/6 = 25 gallons of gas

I’m proposing weight is not the issue. More likely having to deal with so many and the storage of them is the issue ????

Brace,

I can't imagine only having ONE battery, but I could definitely see having the commonly accepted two battery set-up in a boat with multiple engines, if there is a system available to maintain them, as MI is suggesting they've got.

Thanks. Brad.
(937)545-8991

Most engine manufacturers specify a dedicated starting battery to each engine to minimize the chance of electronic noise. Also the way I read the article, they went with fewer house batteries and capacitors so if the house systems were to draw down the start batteries you could still start the engines. I am very interested in this setup, but curious how the computers and electronics systems will handle the voltage variations.
Im dealing with an issue now on a boat that leads back to trying to start it on weak batteries.

Alternator article
I can see a system where you have one main battery for starting and small capacitors for each engine keeping the alternators happy. while running....

What article ? Thanks 👍

I believe everyone is overthinking this. You could run as many outboards off of 1 battery as you want, just remove the alternator belts off all of them except 1

https://www.speedonthewater.com/an-i...dnight-express