trflgrl
Active Member
- Jun 23, 2014
- 982
- Boat Info
- 1989 Sundancer 300
- Engines
- Twin 350 Merc/Alpha 1 Gen 1; Quicksilver 4.0 gen
I think I understand how the output/draw work based on battery selector switch settings, but don't understand whether/how those settings may affect charging. Please bear with me as I babble....and for the sake of simplicity let's assume none of the POs rearranged wiring drastically!
We have 3 batteries and a 3 bank charger (probably original to the boat and not smart technology, so on the list for replacement, but I digress). Battery A is for port engine, and I believe it's for generator, too (we keep forgetting to test while on boat). Batteries B and C are tied together for starboard engine and house. There are two battery selector switches, each with options of 1 / 2 / both / off. We have a functioning Emergency Start switch on the dashboard (hooray, because we've had to use it in prior seasons!).
Switch 1 we leave in position 1 at all times. Does that mean that while on shore power, the charger/converter is managing through-put to charge battery A? If yes, is it correct to extend the logic and say the charger is juicing this battery while offshore and on generator power? If I change it to the off position, does that mean battery A is not charging while on shore power or on generator, but is charging via alternator while under way?
I can't remember how we leave switch 2, but know for sure we're not in the habit of changing it to launch vs. while on the hook, etc. This is where I think we're needing a new habit, based on reading how others manage their batteries, so I'd like to absorb the technical WHY to really drill it home.
I think we drained batteries B and C our last weekend out--genny was out of commission awaiting some parts and First Mate LOVES his tunes and the refrigerator--or we killed only one and didn't think to change the selector when attempting to start the starboard engine. Emergency switch was no help out of the gates, but eventually we did get both engines running. (May have underlying problem of a battery nearing end of life, so am not too worried about that symptom.)
Hope I've given enough information--I've learned a lot reading related threads so am crossing my fingers this will sear the logic into my brain once and for all!
TIA
We have 3 batteries and a 3 bank charger (probably original to the boat and not smart technology, so on the list for replacement, but I digress). Battery A is for port engine, and I believe it's for generator, too (we keep forgetting to test while on boat). Batteries B and C are tied together for starboard engine and house. There are two battery selector switches, each with options of 1 / 2 / both / off. We have a functioning Emergency Start switch on the dashboard (hooray, because we've had to use it in prior seasons!).
Switch 1 we leave in position 1 at all times. Does that mean that while on shore power, the charger/converter is managing through-put to charge battery A? If yes, is it correct to extend the logic and say the charger is juicing this battery while offshore and on generator power? If I change it to the off position, does that mean battery A is not charging while on shore power or on generator, but is charging via alternator while under way?
I can't remember how we leave switch 2, but know for sure we're not in the habit of changing it to launch vs. while on the hook, etc. This is where I think we're needing a new habit, based on reading how others manage their batteries, so I'd like to absorb the technical WHY to really drill it home.
I think we drained batteries B and C our last weekend out--genny was out of commission awaiting some parts and First Mate LOVES his tunes and the refrigerator--or we killed only one and didn't think to change the selector when attempting to start the starboard engine. Emergency switch was no help out of the gates, but eventually we did get both engines running. (May have underlying problem of a battery nearing end of life, so am not too worried about that symptom.)
Hope I've given enough information--I've learned a lot reading related threads so am crossing my fingers this will sear the logic into my brain once and for all!
TIA
