Ok so I have a few questions about putting a sound system in a boat. I'm going to be putting a 450watt amp in my boat, and I'm not sure if I'm going to need an extra battery or if one battery will cut the mustard. What do you guys think? And how long could I run the system with the boat off before draining it? thanks guys!

I think it is good practice just to have two batteries for safety issue. You never have to worry. That amp should not drain your battery all that much. I would suggest an Optima Battery no matter what.

Yea I have a spare battery on board but I wasn't sure if I needed to use an extra from the power from the amp.

If you keep a spare on board that you know will start your boat, then I'd say you'll be fine..but it's so much easier to toss in a perko and two identical batteries, then just switch to one or the other when you want to run the tunes with no motor...flip of a switch. Your way works fine too though, so it's personal preference.

Yeah 450w isnt much, you should be fine a lot of times with one battery but you have to have another battery just in case. I run an excelon 1000w in my boat and i was able to run my system for a while and then start the boat back up. <BR> <BR>I have two identical batteries and the perko switch i just have to find the time between all the other boat things to set that all up.

I have 2 batteries hooked up to a Perko switch. Only way I would do it. Left it on all on Saturday and got stuck for a little bit. Saved me all last summer by always having a 2nd battery ready at the flip of a switch. After tossing a couple back you don't always want to mess with electrical stuff that could kill you.