Battery Switch in ER?.....WTH?

Bel_Mar_Pointe

Bel_Mar_Pointe

Member
Mar 16, 2008
594
Gig Harbor, WA
Boat Info
05' 300DA
Engines
5.0MPIs w/Bravo II
So I went out with a buddy last weekend on his 26' Maxum cruiser for the day. As we were packing up and about to pull anchor, he stated that he needed to access the ER to change his battery switch position for starting. I stated "you're kidding right?"......"they wouldn't really put the battery switch in the ER, would they?" :smt009 Well, at least on this Maxum they do. He had to move everything forward off the hatch, lift the manual hatch, climb in and turn the switch.

Is it actually common to have the battery switch located in the ER? :huh: What a PITA.
 
Depends - not all companies put a lot of "thought" into design/layout/usability. However, my brother's '93 23' Sundancer had it in the engine room as well (no gas assist hatch, either - same thing as the Maxum). Yes, it was a PITA. We were going to move the switch to a better location, but he didn't have that boat long.
 
Lazy Daze said:
Depends - not all companies put a lot of "thought" into design/layout/usability. However, my brother's '93 23' Sundancer had it in the engine room as well (no gas assist hatch, either - same thing as the Maxum). Yes, it was a PITA. We were going to move the switch to a better location, but he didn't have that boat long.
Click to expand...

I had a '93 230DA and the switch was located under a seat in the cockpit. I wonder if your brother's was a PO addon? (or mine was?)
 
My battery switch is located in the engine room. There are three manual covers, I have to lift the center one to reach it, but I don't have to get inside. Yes, it's a pain, especially with anyone aboard. I generally leave it on both, I have two starting batteries. The first time I replace them I'll get combo deep cycle/starting batteries, I won't try to move the switch until a cable goes bad. Where are some of yours located for easy access?
 
I knew the previous owner of the boat my brother purchased and I recall asking him about the location - he said that's way it came to him (he was the original owner).

Newer boats tend to have, for example, a storage bin (with a door) built into either the port or starboard side of the upper hull (the freeboard area in the cockpit). For example, think of where your transom door opens up to... where it hits the vertical section of the interior hull, there would be a storage area there. The switch is typically located there. If you've got a big enough area, you could add a storage are there.
 
My last boat, which was a Larson had the battery switch in the E.R.
 
My 99 270 was in a storage cabinet, the 310 has a special cabinet just for the two of them.
 
Yep - mine had it in the ER too - also with the manual 3-hatch cover setup. Had to lift the port cover and could reach down and switch it. First off-season I owned the boat I re-worked the battery setup - moved 'house' to starboard side and added a second house batt, all new wiring, and most importantly I moved the batt switch to an access panel above decks.
 
My 92 270 is under the deck too. I never saw the need to switch batteries to start. Was he running a junk battery or what?
 
Mine is also in and or near the ER. Remove a transom seat, open a hatch, get down on your knees and throw the switch. I put in an on/off switch with isolator so I turn it on when I get to the boat and off when I leave. No more 1,2,both or cr&p did I forget set switch?
 
Mine is located in a special gunwale locker next to the transom door like Dennis described along with circuit breakers for the bilge pumps, stereo memory and 2 others I think that will still work even if battery is switched to off. I do not change the position of my switch though so it does not really matter. I remember access to the engine room being difficult on earlier model 270's that I had considered. The ER access was one of the main reasons I moved up to at least the 2000 models.

John
 
Mine is in the ER. Have to lift a hatch and reach down inside there to get to it.
 
Bel_Mar_Pointe said:
So I went out with a buddy last weekend on his 26' Maxum cruiser for the day. As we were packing up and about to pull anchor, he stated that he needed to access the ER to change his battery switch position for starting. I stated "you're kidding right?"......"they wouldn't really put the battery switch in the ER, would they?" :smt009 Well, at least on this Maxum they do. He had to move everything forward off the hatch, lift the manual hatch, climb in and turn the switch.

Is it actually common to have the battery switch located in the ER? :huh: What a PITA.
Click to expand...

My Sea Ray has them mounted there. I like them there, that way I can check things in the bilge before I start the boat.

Ken
 
My Amberjack has a spacious hold where the Sundancers have an underdeck berth. The battery switches are located in the hold which is accessed through a hatch beside the helm. Very convenient.

Terry
 
Mines in the ER.....I also like to take a look in there before I fire the engine....check for water, oil, gas smell, etc, Mike.
 
Well, mine is under the helm seat. I suppose the good news for those with the MBSS in the ER is you get to air out the ER before cranking her over... Other than that, sure sounds like a cheap a$$ way to go...
 
My 78 srv240 has it in a battery compartment between the coolers above the ER
but it is in no way sealed from the ER or in my case more Engine Compartment...not room
 
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