Official 280 Sundancer Thread

The DC power and corresponding devices come from the battery. In the cockpit adjacent to the ignition switches: One of the battery switches is an On/Off for 1 engine, the other switch is labeled 1/2/Both. The 1 is engine, the 2 is house DC which powers the devices and obviously both is engine and house. If you are not running the engine and want to just power up the dc devices turn that switch to #2. Also note the fridge runs on both 110 and dc. so when your shore power is plugged in you can run it off of 110.

The AC Converter on the AC panel is a misnomer think of it as the "battery charger" button. You only need it on to power the battery charger.

Also do you have a manual for the boat?
Think you got that one wrong... the 1, 2 both switch runs a 2 battery bank and switches between batteries, has nothing to do with engines and house. At least that's how my 280 was wired.
 
From an earlier post, I'm installing a in hull transducer and was wondering how to run the transducer wire to the helm. Past few days I've been investigating pulling panels and have finally done so. There is a panel in the aft stateroom on the starboard side. Mine is held in place with 4 screws. The pic below shows the panel and what's behind it. Looks like real easy access to the helm and the ER. I'm going to drill a new hole for the transducer wire since I don't want to disturb the wires that are sealed in with silicone. I will in turn seal that transducer wire with silicone to prevent any CO2 migration into the cabin. What could have been a major project looks now like e it's easy peasy!
IMG_6249.jpg
IMG_6255.JPG
 
Think you got that one wrong... the 1, 2 both switch runs a 2 battery bank and switches between batteries, has nothing to do with engines and house. At least that's how my 280 was wired.
You might want to check your manual to see if someone rewired your boat. Mine is confirmed by the manual.

Switch on the left is for a two battery bank #1 controls the port engine #2 is the house battery and Both = port engine and house 12v.
Switch on the right is on and off = starboard engine

When I get a chance I'll snap a pic of the manual page that confirms this.
 
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You might want to check your manual to see if someone rewired your boat. Mine is confirmed by the manual.

Switch on the left is for a two battery bank #1 controls the port engine #2 is the house battery and Both = port engine and house 12v.
Switch on the right is on and off = starboard engine

When I get a chance I'll snap a pic of the manual page that confirms this.



There is no “house” battery on the 280. A true house battery may be charged by an engine alternator but it is isolated from starting and running the engine.

Look at the wiring diagram. One engine does have two batteries. Both of these batteries feed the same circuits, either individually (1 or2), or together in parallel (both).

The distinction between house and starting is not just a naming convention, but also one of battery design. Starting batteries are good at high amp power bursts, but bad at being discharged to low levels. The batteries used at for house use suck at high amp discharge, but can be drained flat over and over. There is also a third option the so called dual purpose battery that is sort of half way in between, these are the class of battery that makes sense for sea rays and the way they are wired.

The battery switches control not only which battery will start the engine and run the dc circuits, but also what battery will be charged by the alternator. So when running the engine the switch should always be both to ensure both batteries will be charged. A good trick is to use the date to decide which battery to use at anchor, 1 for odd numbered days, 2 for even. This will keep the discharge histories similar.

From the factory the port and starboard engine batteries were isolated. A common dealer installed option was to add a cross over switch to all the port battery to start starboard engine and give versa.

Next point, NEVER TURN THE BATTERY SWITCH THROUGH THE OFF POSITION WITH ENGINE RUNNING. You will fry the alternator.

When on shore power, or the generator (if equipped) with the charger (converter) switched on all batteries will charge regardless of battery switch position. Likewise, bilge pumps always have power regardless of battery position.
H
 
My results from recent compression test (4.3 MPI, after 375 hours and 12 years)
STBD: 149-150 151-150 148-152
PORT: 151-147 150-152 148-151
NOTE: All within 5% good compression numbers
Note was entered by MARINEMAX technician
Comments?
 
Took delivery of a 280 Sea Ray Express last May. The generator was working fine. When I returned to Florida the switch in the Cabin does nothing but I discovered a Run and Auto on the generator in the Bilge. When I hit run the genny started but shut off quickly. Digital Control said LOC(looks of coolant). Question being any idea why that switch on the control panel could be dead and is it possible someone shut the Generator Sea Cock? The dealer came during the summer to change the water heater out. I don’t mean to seam dumb but I am new to this
 

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You might want to check your manual to see if someone rewired your boat. Mine is confirmed by the manual.

Switch on the left is for a two battery bank #1 controls the port engine #2 is the house battery and Both = port engine and house 12v.
Switch on the right is on and off = starboard engine

When I get a chance I'll snap a pic of the manual page that confirms this.
My 280 has three batteries and two battery switches.
Any advice as I begin to learn about how it is wired?
 
My 280 has three batteries and two battery switches.
Any advice as I begin to learn about how it is wired?

If you can follow a wiring diagram, the ones contained in the owner’s supplement are all you need to get the as built picture. Sea ray is very good at maintaining color coding. They also mark wires with the wire’s purpose. The pink wire running from the helm is marked “fuel” meaning it’s the fuel gauge to tank sensor circuit. If memory serves the battery cables are marked with numbers.

H
 
My 280 has three batteries and two battery switches.
Any advice as I begin to learn about how it is wired?
If your referring to how the batteries are wired to the switches, Henry's post #6725 is correct.
If that's not what your looking for, then be specific
 
Random question: What is the air draft on an 03 280?

I pass under a low bridge to get to my marina. With no Glomex antenna and a folding anchor light (folded down) I am right about 9' with no one on board and full fuel/water.
 
I pass under a low bridge to get to my marina. With no Glomex antenna and a folding anchor light (folded down) I am right about 9' with no one on board and full fuel/water.

Great, thank you!
 
If your referring to how the batteries are wired to the switches, Henry's post #6725 is correct.
If that's not what your looking for, then be specific
I am just looking for general info.

For the three battery models, I believe the batteries are setup so that the port engine has two batteries and the starboard engine has one. All are wired for 12 volts. Hence the two battery switches are different: port has one, two, or both while strbd has on-off.

please correct me if I am wrong.
 
I am just looking for general info.

For the three battery models, I believe the batteries are setup so that the port engine has two batteries and the starboard engine has one. All are wired for 12 volts. Hence the two battery switches are different: port has one, two, or both while strbd has on-off.

please correct me if I am wrong.

That’s right. The port engine is set up so that when the switch is set to both the batteries are in parallel providing roughly twice the current.
 
Don't mix types or age.

Agreed, but it does raise the question of whether you could have a starting battery on the single battery side (starboard) and dual purpose on the two battery side (port). The alternator circuits are independent, so the different battery type's charging profiles wouldn't matter. I guess the issue is whether the shore power, or generator, powered battery charger can deal with charging different types of batteries. On our boat we have a Promariner charger that takes care of the three engine batteries (pt,stbd & gen) and an inverter-charger that handles the house batteries.

H
 

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