Battery switch position question ,on 240 sundancer 1999

[Colin lighten]

hi, please can someone give me a clear answer on the 4 switch positions

It has 4 positions. 1 and 2, both and off.

So. Which position should I set it to, when moored up, 1 or2?
I presume logic is that if it's on say 1, then engine should start set to two, using only one battery. But I can't find any information as to which battery is for when you are moored up, or maybe it doesn't matter?

I presume , the both setting, will charge both batteries when running engine
I presume it should be set to , off, when mains shore power is plugged in, to charge the batteries

 

[Wylie_Tunes]

So. Which position should I set it to, when moored up, 1 or2?

Depends on the batteries and how the system i wired. Lets presume the system is wired in the most logical manor. If both batteries are the same type, is does not mater, use 1 or 2, just not BOTH. If one battery is a deep cycle and the other a cranking, use which ever position is the deep cycle.

BOTH should allow each bank to be supplied by alternator

OFF when you put the boat away.

 

[Lazy Daze]

I presume logic is that if it's on say 1, then engine should start set to two, using only one battery.

Can you re-explain what you are asking? It's not clear.

As mentioned, a lot of this depends on the type of battery you have. First find out what type of batteries you have, then label them (#1 or #2) so that you know. Disconnect a battery to figure things out. Post back with the results.

While a 2-battery setup was an original option, it was not standard. Which means we don't know how it's been installed. You'll need to verify if it's setup the way we are expecting it to be. You'll want to look-up the model of the switch to be sure it's a "make before break" type. Post back that info, as well (there's more to talk about here).

If it's been wired correctly, the onboard battery charger will charge the batteries regardless of the battery switch position. But you can easily check that by following the charger leads.

 

[Little Ducky]

I had a 2 battery set up on my 2011 260 DA.

When anchored for any length of time I would choose either position 1 or 2 so to keep at least one battery fully charged to start the boat.

When motoring I would keep the selector switch to both .... so they are both being charged by the motor.

When docked, on shore power with the battery charger on .... I would just leave the selector switch on both.

Both batteries were the same group 31.... and after 5 years both died at the same time.

 

[sbw1]

Keep your starting battery turned off when on the hook. When you start your engine and pull the hook, switch to "both" so you recharge your house battery. When in your slip on shore power leave the switch on "both". Using "both" while on the hook puts you at risk for not having battery reserve to crank the engines when it is time to leave. The original factory set up isolated both batteries to insure running one battery down would not deplete the other. That is one reason why you have the battery switch. When you store the boat, use "off" and turn off all AC and DC breakers.

 

[Bt Doctur]

When anchored for any length of time I would choose either position 1 or 2 so to keep at least one battery fully charged to start the boat.

Providing all the feeds come off the "C" post of the battery switch. If the loads are wired direct to the batteries the switch does nothing to preserve a hot starting battery
Only you can determine whats wired to what. Disconnect 1 battery and test everything in the boat, see what works with the battery switch on and off. Then disconnect that battery and switch to battery number two. Do the same test

 

[Little Ducky]

What ever you do ..... do not turn your batteries "off" while the engine(s) are running.

You will apparently kill your alternator.

 

[Colin lighten]

Thanks to all the responses.
, I will do some more tests and get back with the results. Cheers from all in the Norfolk Broads in England

 

[skibum]

If one is a deep cycle, and one is a starting, then use the starting battery all the time until you drop the hook or tie up somewhere at which point you switch to the deep cycle. Just before you weigh the anchor, or leave the dock switch back to the starting battery.

If both of your batteries are the same, meaning both starting, both deep cycle, or both deep cycle/starting (dual purpose), then it really does not matter. This is how my boat is set up. I have 2 Optima blue top deep cycle / starting batteries installed. Both were installed at the same time, so to keep them balanced, I use a simple rule. On odd number (calendar) dates, I use battery #1 to run the boat and #2 on the hook or at the dock. On even numbered dates, I use battery #2 to run the boat and #1 on the hook or at the dock. Hopefully, I'll get maximum life out of both of them this way. If I always use #1 to run the boat, it might die before #2 does...

 

[JVM225]

I had a 2 battery set up on my 2011 260 DA.

When anchored for any length of time I would choose either position 1 or 2 so to keep at least one battery fully charged to start the boat.

When motoring I would keep the selector switch to both .... so they are both being charged by the motor.

When docked, on shore power with the battery charger on .... I would just leave the selector switch on both.

Both batteries were the same group 31.... and after 5 years both died at the same time.

That’s how I did things on my old boat.