1996 370 DA Wiring question

[TheWolfTC]

Hi Guys & Gals,
On my 370 Dancer I have learned that ALL DC components are connected through the port battery bank. If I turn off the port battery switch NOTHING on the boat that is DC will operate. Does this seem strange or is this normal?

Configuration:
3 battery banks
Port bank has 2 Interstate SRM-27's in parallel
Stbd. bank has the same
3rd bank is for the genset and is simply a deep cycle battery.

Port bank off and nothing works:
Stbd bank has no apparent connection to anything DC other than the stbd engine.

What am I missing as this seems really strange to have everything pulling on the same bank. :huh:
Thanks

 

[ttmott]

The standard that Sea Ray builds their boats is:
The Starboard Bank has two primary circuits, switched and unswitched. The switched, meaning the battery disconnect switch is ON, powers the starter for the starboard engine, DC circuits in the cabin, heads, staterooms, and galley; essentially everything inside and the oil change pump (if you have one). The unswitched powers the , audio system memory, one of the bilge blowers, and several of the bilge pumps.

The Port Bank also has two primary circuits, switched and unswitched. The switched powers the starter for the port engine, navigation electronics, and the helm. The unswitched powers the drain sumps, other bilge pumps and the second bilge blower.

The third bank is only for the generator

 

[TheWolfTC]

The standard that Sea Ray builds their boats is:
The Starboard Bank has two primary circuits, switched and unswitched. The switched, meaning the battery disconnect switch is ON, powers the starter for the starboard engine, DC circuits in the cabin, heads, staterooms, and galley; essentially everything inside and the oil change pump (if you have one). The unswitched powers the , audio system memory, one of the bilge blowers, and several of the bilge pumps.

The Port Bank also has two primary circuits, switched and unswitched. The switched powers the starter for the port engine, navigation electronics, and the helm. The unswitched powers the drain sumps, other bilge pumps and the second bilge blower.

The third bank is only for the generator

Hmmmmm interesting...not sure it makes sense though.
My battery switches are simply on/off and are both located under the sink in the cockpit. The genny battery switch is in the bilge on main electronics wall.

I didn't check the sump or bilge blower with the switches turned off but I can.

I do know this...nothing works...not the helm, lighting, fridges, head system, stereo, window vent, or running lights if I have the port switch off and the stbd on. The stbd engine will turn over and aside from the bilge pump/sump pump which I haven't checked as noted above, all house operations seem to run off the port bank. I happen to know that the stereo system and amplifiers are all hard wired to the port bank specifically.

What I am experiencing is almost the exact opposite of what you are stating.. I have traced the wiring from the batteries to the respective fuse panels in the bilge. Unless all of sea ray's wiring labels are backwards...lol...I can't get anything to work with the stbd batteries only. Again, short of the possibility of the bilge/sump pumps.

Thank you for the feedback though...A new puzzle to be solved...LOL

 

[ttmott]

You might pull the main battery disconnect switch panel out and take a look at the condition behind it - They are prone to corrosion due to not being protected (like in the cabin).
The attached pic is mine before I completely rebuilt it; it has a lot of corrosion on the terminals.

 

[GrandMaster]

Hmmmmm interesting...not sure it makes sense though.
My battery switches are simply on/off and are both located under the sink in the cockpit. The genny battery switch is in the bilge on main electronics wall.

I didn't check the sump or bilge blower with the switches turned off but I can.

I do know this...nothing works...not the helm, lighting, fridges, head system, stereo, window vent, or running lights if I have the port switch off and the stbd on. The stbd engine will turn over and aside from the bilge pump/sump pump which I haven't checked as noted above, all house operations seem to run off the port bank. I happen to know that the stereo system and amplifiers are all hard wired to the port bank specifically.

What I am experiencing is almost the exact opposite of what you are stating.. I have traced the wiring from the batteries to the respective fuse panels in the bilge. Unless all of sea ray's wiring labels are backwards...lol...I can't get anything to work with the stbd batteries only. Again, short of the possibility of the bilge/sump pumps.

Thank you for the feedback though...A new puzzle to be solved...LOL

If i read your post correctly you have two batteries on each side (total 4) and a total of 2 battery switches (not counting generator) and neither of your battery switches are "1/2/Both/Off" type? Is that correct?

If so, I do not believe that would have been the original setup. You should have had a way to switch each individual battery seperatly, not just each bank.

 

[TheWolfTC]

If i read your post correctly you have two batteries on each side (total 4) and a total of 2 battery switches (not counting generator) and neither of your battery switches are "1/2/Both/Off" type? Is that correct?

If so, I do not believe that would have been the original setup. You should have had a way to switch each individual battery seperatly, not just each bank.

Yes, that is correct..2 banks with two batteries in parallel. (Not including genset). The switches are black in color Guest switches. On or off only action.
i was thinking of looking at the switches just for grins to see where the wires come from...do they come from the isolators?? (Vertical finned looking heat sinks on firewall in bilge?)

 

[GrandMaster]

Yes, you should have isolaters to keep a bad battery from draining a good battery.

 

[TheWolfTC]

I spoke with Sea Ray today and they told me the following....

The wiring design is exactly as I described it...everything for the "house" is on the port battery bank. Sump pump and bilge pumps on STBD. If for some reason we were to drain the port batteries to the point the engine would not start we have a couple options...A). Use the emergency start switch (this is what is what designed for) or B). Start the generator and use it to run the ac converter and charge the batteries.

Also, the Guest battery switches that are on/off only were the standard and he recommended that we leave them that way. :smt038

So, even though it seemed odd, everything has it's reasons and now all is well with the world...LOL Except that I learned I have 2 bad cells in 1 of my batteries which of course means I have to replace both batteries in that bank. Figures!!! I had a really nice conversation with Jeff at Interstate batteries, very helpful and knowledgeable, knows the Promariner charger I put in and made recommendations to the proper settings for best battery longevity. He gave me his direct line should I ever need any further help. So, if anyone wants straightforward battery help, I can share his number.

Have a GREAT day! On to the next project(s) during winter layup...LOL