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Hi Richard,

The answer lies in the total amps of stored power. The 6-volt batteries hooked in series have more total cranking power. Most likely Egg Harbor chose the set up because of battery technology in 1984 and the 454 engines require a lot of cranking power. However, battery technology has improved dramatically in the last twenty years so today a single 12-volt deep cycle marine battery will work just as well. Hope this answer helps.

Best,

Captain Bob Wellen

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Hi Richard,

The reason Egg Harbor used two 6-volt batteries in series is that their construction is of very thick walled, all lead plates, which can be drawn deeper than a regular 12-volt battery. Today you can buy deep cycle 12-volt batteries, but for the same number of amps, they will be much bigger, heavier and more expensive than using the current setup.  For this reason, the 2 x 6-volt setup is often used for "house" batteries.

However, I think the batteries you are talking about are "start" batteries. If so, the 2 x 6-volt advantage is nill over modern 12-volt batteries. It is not the deep cycle you need (ability to give a fixed voltage for a long time) it is high load you need for a short time, in which case the 12-volt batteries will be fine.

Your engine manual will tell you what is recommended as a cold cranking amps value, this means the number of amps the battery is able to put out for a short period of time (usually only a few seconds) to start your engines from cold. Make sure the total number of amps in the batteries you buy matches this figure (e.g. 2 x 12-volt at 100 amps each in parallel will give you 200 amps of 12VDC).

Hope this helps, regards.

Captain Ian Fagg

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Hi Richard,

The 454's are high compression and powerful engines and the reason you have 2 x 6VDC in series is that you will get higher load service, i.e. more cranking power for your money. Also, even though you need twice as many batteries, the 6VDC batteries are smaller and cheaper than equivalent amp 12VDC batteries. However, at the end of the day it doesn't really matter which way you go so long as you provide the proper number of cranking amps.

There are some other considerations though. For example, 12VDC batteries in parallel will leach off of the weaker battery (one battery is always weaker) while discharging. Additionally, more than likely you will have to change your battery storage boxes if you convert.  There's an old adage - if it ain't broke, don't fix it, so in my opinion you should stick with your current arrangement, no pun intended.

All the best,

Captain Craig Bliss