Battery Switch/voltage question

[marks737]

Just bought a 2002 31 Sundancer. I have 3 batteries and 2 batt. switches. When I turn on the left battery switch, I get 0 volts on the DC voltmeter. When I turn on the right batt. switch, I get normal volts.

Questions:

1. Which batteries are on which switches? (3 batteries, 2 switches)

2. Could my problem be a dead battery, or bad battery switch, or some breaker hiding somewhere that I don't know about?

I thought I'd try to trouble shoot myself before calling the marina.

Thanks!

 

[Iprof]

Just bought a 2002 31 Sundancer. I have 3 batteries and 2 batt. switches. When I turn on the left battery switch, I get 0 volts on the DC voltmeter. When I turn on the right batt. switch, I get normal volts.

Questions:

1. Which batteries are on which switches? (3 batteries, 2 switches)
Without seeing your system I think I can help you. One switch is going to be for one battery on #1 and the #2 position for that switch is going to be for the second or house battery.
The second switch should tie the two house batteries together. This is done on the second switch, off nothing, #1 one battery 2 the second battery and ALL gives you both.

Test System
Turn one switch to #1 and the other switch off.
See if you have power, you could turn the blower on and leave it on for this test.
If no power turn the switch to #2 if the blower works then you need to find out which battery.
If it works, turn switch off, disconnect the - on one battery turn power on. Repeat the test until the blower stops. That battery is for that switch and that position.



2. Could my problem be a dead battery, or bad battery switch, or some breaker hiding somewhere that I don't know about?

You could still have a dead battery but try the switches first

I thought I'd try to trouble shoot myself before calling the marina.

Thanks!

I answered above for the test.

Switch one is most likely battery one on #1, Switch one #2 is most likely the second switch. Put second switch to #1 gives you 1st house battery #2 gives you 2nd house battery ALL gives you 1st and 2nd house battery.


Switch 1
#1 one battery
#2 connected to second switch
All for all 3 batteries

Switch 2
#1 1st house battery
#2 2nd house battery
ALL combines the 2 batteries.

Switch 1 and switch 2 on all should be giving you power to the boat from all three batteries.

Sure hopes this helps you.

Ken

 

[marks737]

My battery switches only have two positions. ON or OFF.

 

[Iprof]

My battery switches only have two positions. ON or OFF.

One switch will be for one battery and the other switch will be for the other 2.

You should be able to look at the batteries and see which are connected together, the batteries will have neg and neg connected together and pos to pos connected together. This would be your house bank for when you anchor out, switch over to the 2 batteries for the day and turn the one battery off so you are not draining it while anchored.

If you have a multi meter you can disconnect the neg on all the batteries and read the voltage on all 3. Voltage is not a test of how good a battery is but it will tell you which one is dead or needs charging.

Ken

 

[marks737]

Shouldn't I show voltage on the DC meter on each switch individually?

 

[Iprof]

Shouldn't I show voltage on the DC meter on each switch individually?

Do you have the switch turned on or off and how are you connecting to the switch. The switch is a simple on/off so you have one lead from the battery going to the switch and one out. If you want to test it turn the switch on and put the pos lead from the volt meter on the switch and the neg on a ground, this should give you source voltage of one battery but which one.
Did you disconnect all the neg and take voltage reading like I suggested above? This will tell you if you have voltage at the batteries.

Ken

 

[marks737]

Do you have the switch turned on or off and how are you connecting to the switch. The switch is a simple on/off so you have one lead from the battery going to the switch and one out. If you want to test it turn the switch on and put the pos lead from the volt meter on the switch and the neg on a ground, this should give you source voltage of one battery but which one.
Did you disconnect all the neg and take voltage reading like I suggested above? This will tell you if you have voltage at the batteries.

Ken

I don't have a multi-meter. I am talking about the voltmeter on my DC panel in the cabin. With #1 Batt. switch on, I get nothing. With #2 Batt. switch on, I get normal volts. I guess I should buy a voltmeter.

 

[Iprof]

I don't have a multi-meter. I am talking about the voltmeter on my DC panel in the cabin. With #1 Batt. switch on, I get nothing. With #2 Batt. switch on, I get normal volts. I guess I should buy a voltmeter.

Go buy yourself a meter and don't rely on the dash gauge.

Ken