My first “big” boat

Roadsidedoc

New Member
Jun 10, 2019
3
Samson AL
Boat Info
98 Sea Ray 280 Cuddy
Engines
Twin 350 Mercruisers and Alphas
been wanting a big boat for years and finally found one that fits us and what we do.....1998 Sea Ray 280 Cuddy with twin 350 Mercruisers and Alphas......

I have a few questions.....

What do the two battery switches control?
Seems that the one with two batteries is for the engines.
What is the single for?
 
battery switches- single battery is for one motor and possibly bilge pump. other switch with two batts is for other motor and your 12 volt accessories.
 
switch one off and see what motor starts. also switch back and forth between the two and see what does or doesn't come on. good to know.
 
Two switches are for two separate battery banks.
Usually one bank for each engine.
If you have a total of three batteries then the switch with a single battery on it does nothing but start the engine it is connected to.
The switch with two batteries connected to it are for the other motor and the “house”. The “house” is generally all 12 volt stuff on the boat.
When I had a boat with that setup I started and ran the boat with that switch set to “Both” and when I got to where I was going, after turning off the motors, and wasn’t going to plug in to shore power I selected either #1 or #2. If I ran the battery a bit low that bank still had a fully charged battery on it.
Before restarting the motors I would switch it back to “Both”.
Another safeguard is your emergency start switch at the helm. It basically acts as a jump starter from one bank to the other when you momentarily press the switch while cranking the motor with the weak battery.
Yes, they should be Gen II’s on a 1998 boat unless a previous owner did something unexplainable.
 
Two switches are for two separate battery banks.
Usually one bank for each engine.
If you have a total of three batteries then the switch with a single battery on it does nothing but start the engine it is connected to.
The switch with two batteries connected to it are for the other motor and the “house”. The “house” is generally all 12 volt stuff on the boat.
When I had a boat with that setup I started and ran the boat with that switch set to “Both” and when I got to where I was going, after turning off the motors, and wasn’t going to plug in to shore power I selected either #1 or #2. If I ran the battery a bit low that bank still had a fully charged battery on it.
Before restarting the motors I would switch it back to “Both”.
Another safeguard is your emergency start switch at the helm. It basically acts as a jump starter from one bank to the other when you momentarily press the switch while cranking the motor with the weak battery.
Yes, they should be Gen II’s on a 1998 boat unless a previous owner did something unexplainable.

Good info. here. Welcome aboard Roadside.
 
I'd assume a 280SS when someone says "280 Cuddy"...?

JVM's description/process matches that of my 280BR, which is basically a 280SS from the windshield back. The starboard batt is a single with an on/off switch. The port bank is dual batteries serving as house+port starting with a 1/2/Both/Off switch. There's an e-start solenoid to link the banks when necessary. I'm in the process of replacing the batteries now. One of the port 24's is still in-place now because the hatch lift runs from the port bank. I'm swapping the group 24's on the port bank for 27's. It's not for a lack of reserve though. I already have the batteries and the trays are large enough. Two house batts and a dedicated starting batt plus the e-start make it almost impossible to find yourself in a no-start situation. (never say never) :D
 
I'd assume a 280SS when someone says "280 Cuddy"...?

I believe I made the incorrect assumption... now that I look at the Sea Ray archives, they did not make a 280DA in 1998, but the did make a 280CC (Cuddy) and a 280SS.
 
Ok folks I need some help......pretty sure I have broken a tooth off my flywheel!.....I have the starboard engine almost ready to pull and replace both starter and flywheel.....sux but you gotta pay to play!!
Question is I wanna order a flywheel and a starter so that I will be able to put it back in the same day.....any part number information?? All my net, eBay, and amazon searches show several different numbers!
 
Ok folks I need some help......pretty sure I have broken a tooth off my flywheel!.....I have the starboard engine almost ready to pull and replace both starter and flywheel.....sux but you gotta pay to play!!
Question is I wanna order a flywheel and a starter so that I will be able to put it back in the same day.....any part number information?? All my net, eBay, and amazon searches show several different numbers!

Have you looked up your engine serial number in Mercruiser's parts system? Here is a link. Enter your serial number in the upper left area. You should find the exact parts.

https://public-mercurymarine.sysonl...=GuestNA_KEY=NA_KEY_VALUElangIF=englangDB=eng
 

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