1st cabin cruiser slow turning over

ericcarr2000

ericcarr2000

Member
Jan 18, 2014
80
Flint township, michigan
Boat Info
1990 250 Sea Ray Sundancer, 1979 EZ loader tandem axel trailer with twin 4700# axels, 2001 Durango.
Engines
7.4 (454)/bravo 1
Ok guys. I just picked up my 1st sundancer 250 cabin cruiser. Is there something I need to know when it comes to that battery selector switch? Earlier today I went out to start her up in the driveway and noticed that it was turning over very slowly. I turned the selector switch to both batteries and it seemed to be fine then, but when I put it back to just one battery it turned over real slow. Im all new to this technology. I did notice that the wires from the batteries go straight to the selector switch. Should there be wires that go straight to the batteries from the alternator?
 
When you put your battery selector switch to both, they you are drawing current for both batteries to start your engine, Also if was on bttery 1 when you went to start it, then all your power even when the engine isn't running is being drained from that battery. There are more systems in that boat then just the engine running on that battery....there is also GHOST POWER drains on your battery all the time, unless you shut the switch to OFF, when it's in your driveway, which is what you should be doing...When you are out on the water and running that boat, make sure your battery switch is on both, so both batteries are getting charged up while running, only then once they are fully charged you can switch back to battery one or two...When I had my 24 Sorrnetto and I was planning on sunbathing or anchoring for awhile, I'd switch it to Battery one, saving battery two for starting battery in the radio and pumps wore down battery 1....
Anything else, just let us know , oh can we see some pics of that awesome machine....?????
Welcome to the site and Hello from a Michigander as well.....Lake Michigan Rules....trust me.
 
On my 250 batt 1 is for starting and batt 2 is for accessories. I always switch to 2 when beached for the day and that way there is always juice to start it up.
 
Yeah, im still trying to figure this machine out, lol. Heres a few pics I have of her.
inwaterbow (1).jpg
 
We leave ours on both unless anchored overnight....then switch to just #2. I just put two new Group 31 batteries in our 270 a few weeks ago.......plenty of reserve now. Nice 250!.....Welcome, Mike.
 
Welcome and congrats on the new boat.

With my Regal, I did pretty much the same as the others except I would switch the house and start batteries depending on the day. Odd days, 1=start, 2=house (anchor). Even days 2=start and 1 equals anchor. They were both group 31 Optimas so I figured in the long run, I was beating them both up equally.
 
Ill try to get some more pics put up, for some reason it wont let me upload any more. Thanks for the info guys. So if I just remember to turn the switch to both batteries when starting AND running it I should be fine then, and when im anchored to move it to just 1 battery. Im assuming when the switch is on both that both batteries are getting charged when the motor in running. My last boat didnt have one of these switches on it. It pretty much just had the alternator and the wires that ran from it straight to the batteries. Should I be turning both batteries off when plugged into shore power?
 
Hi and congrats on your 250da. When you are on shore power you should have a battery charger in your 12 volt system that comes on when you switch the converter breaker switch to on in the electrical panel. It will keep the batteris charged when you are using the 12v accessories on board. I have the same system on my 270 which has your color scheme Nice! I usually always run on both, and anchor on #2, and back to both when running. I also had slow cranking on 1 batt until I replaced the starter, which I completely dissassembled after I removed it, and found a huge amount of corrosion throughout. With the new starter the engine cranks much faster and with 1 battery as opposed to 2.
 
Another question I have is when turning it over for the first time in a whikle I have to give it some throttle in order to get her primed up. Shouldnt there be a way to just give it throttle without putting in into gear? My 87 I had to pull out a bit on the throttle lever and then move it forward. This one doesnt have that option. It is a quicksilver throttle lever which has some sort of a black button on the side of it but when I depress it nothing happens.
Any advice here guys?
 
Hey Eric, that black button will disengage the forward reverse and allow just throttle for the engine, just press it in and while it's depressed move the throttle lever forward and release the button, and you will have just throttle until you pull it back to the neutral position and the button pops back out. The 7.4L engines of that era need a bit of prime when cold, but will fire right up when warm.I usually will pump the throttle once or twice on a cold start up, but don't have to when the engine is warm. Hope this helps.
Cliff
 
There maybe/should be a center button on the throttle. Where it pivots if you have the model I'm thinking of. That will disengage the gear selector.
 
Cool, thanks a bunch guys. I'll give it a try when I get home. Just to clarify, when I plug into shore power, I need to switch the main breaker switch on and then turn on the converter switch to charge up the batteries?
 
Yes, make sure the main breaker is on and then turn on the breaker for the converter, and any other breakers for items you want powered up.
 
Ok, thanks. Now as fas as the stove goes. I know it says alcohol on it but how in the world do I use it, where does the alcohol go?
 
You can switch from battery 1-2 or 2-1 or to both.... \\NEVER INADVERTENTLY SWITCH TO OFF WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING...... IT WILL KILL YOUR ALTERNATOR.....\...
 
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