+1 for small motor cycle battery, ours dates 1999 and is still kicking so we haven't found a need to replace it. All we run off of it is LED lights, Navman depth/speed and occasionally GPS.

Around the buoys we don't even need the battery as we use a RockBox for a compass. However with the water levels the Great Lakes are experiencing we'll probably want to have our depth running.

-Dan

:: The only outboards I know that have the alternator as an
:: option when youy buy new are the merc 5 hp, and I think
:: the honda 5 hp. I believe they still provide them with
:: the new engines
::
:: :: For the bay with occasional auto pilot, I use a 32 amp
:: :: gel battery from West Marine, though I have had to
:: :: replace it 3 times under warranty. It's fine now and
:: :: nothing has changed in my electrical system.
::
:: :: I think it was a bad batch.
::
:: :: For 2-4 ocean days, I use an 80 amp lead acid battery
:: :: with solar chargers. I also take my small 32 amp as back
:: :: up.
:: ::
:: :: I'm impressed with Roger's outboard alternator. I wonder
:: :: if I can do that off my two stroke.
:: ::
:: :: Joe
:: ::
:: :: :: Try this outfit for your battery and charger needs.
:: ::
:: :: :: BatteryStuff.com
:: ::
:: :: :: I recently bought a <5lb deep cycle agm battery from
:: :: :: them. Great price, great service. Great technical
:: :: :: advice. I use this little battery for running intruments
:: :: :: and led lights. When using auto pilot I drop in a AGM 32
:: :: :: (about 25 lbs) that lasts for a day. I recharge with a
:: :: :: solar panel. SDK
:: :: ::
:: :: :: :: I use a motorcycle battery for around the bouys, just
:: :: :: :: charging tacktick, vhf, then I switch to two 12 volt
:: :: :: :: tractor size batterys for cruising, off shore. tiller
:: :: :: :: pilot takes a lot of draw and I do some overnight races.
:: :: :: :: I charge those off my mercury 5 hp outboard with
:: :: :: :: alternator
:: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: :: Nothing special here.
:: :: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: :: Integral batteries/solar for buoy racing.
:: :: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: :: Larger central battery for longer stuff. When I bought
:: :: :: :: :: it, which was 5-6 years ago, it was the lightest model
:: :: :: :: :: that had decent capacity... it still weighs far more
:: :: :: :: :: than I'd like.
:: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: :: Not LEDs yet either.
:: :: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: :: This is an area I can improve upon.
:: :: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: :: :: I'm wondering what sort of battery systems people are
:: :: :: :: :: :: running; specifically what type of battery, what
:: :: :: :: :: :: capacity, and where are you putting it?
:: :: :: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: :: :: For buoy racing our only electrical needs are keeping
:: :: :: :: :: :: the TackTick hull transmitter charged and we plan to use
:: :: :: :: :: :: solar or AA's for that.
:: :: :: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: :: :: For offshore we will need to power nav lights (LED), a
:: :: :: :: :: :: small GPS, and it looks like a fixed mount VHF too
:: :: :: :: :: :: (which we don't plan to use much)....all for 2-3 nights.
:: :: :: :: :: :: May add a tiller pilot too for occasional use.
:: :: :: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: :: :: I've still got to work out the current draw, but want to
:: :: :: :: :: :: get some ideas of what others are doing.
:: :: :: :: :: ::

:: :: :: :: :: :: -dan