Battery confusion

[psubill78]

In my '98 DA 310 - I've got 3 batteries. I'm used to seeing battery switches that are 'off', '1', '2', and '1+2' on friends smaller boats.

With having 3 batteries, and my battery switch just being 'off' and 'on' - I'm not sure how the battery config is? There is nothing in my manuals that talks about it.

Do they all just 'cluster' together? Is there no concept of a house battery? I've got a generator - is that for the 3rd battery? If someone's got ideas, great - otherwise, I may start tracing cables tomorrow

:huh:

 

[MonacoMike]

I have 3 batteries but have 2 on the switch configuration you first describe and the third is isolated to start the genset. When my charger blew a fuse, unknown by me until both were discharged as I was in a slip on AC, the third was handy to jump from. Just follow the cables and you will know. MM

 

[gg51p]

I have 4 batteries, so what I did is turn off 1 battery bank and checked out what all worked on those 2 batteries. Then did the other bank. Now I know what each bank does for being on the hook.

 

[crosscr]

On my 02 310 it works this way: two of the batteries make up the house bank and also start the starboard engine. The third battery starts the port engine. The emergency start switch combines all three. Only the starboard engine will recharge the house bank. Not sure which battery starts the genset but I would guess it is the house bank. That way the generators' built in charger will recharge those batteries and there will be no need to use the converter while it is running and thus saving a few amps of capacity for other things.