Battery Switch

First Born

First Born

New Member
PLATINUM Sponsor
Oct 3, 2006
3,900
Charlotte, N.C.
Boat Info
2006 185 Sport
Engines
4.3 L 190 HP
As most of you know when we did the stero upgrade they added a second battery with a battery switch. The positions are 1, off, 2, 1+2. I just want to make sure I understand what I need to be doing (make sure I am doing this correctly). I have not been turning to off, however I have not been leaving on 1+2 (I heard that would cause them to drain) when parked int he garage. What I had planned on doing is rotating every other trip with using 1 or 2 setting. Should I be using 1+2 so that both batteries are charging while using the boat and when we stop to listen to music switch to 1 or 2? Now I think I am confussing myself.... :huh: what is the correct way to use this switch...:smt100

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There are several theories on this but I leave the battery in the "off" position if I'm not going to be using the boat for several days (bilge pump should be wired so that it has power regardless of switch setting!), and like to switch to both when starting and going to run for a while at cruising speed - my 5.0 doesn't charge batteries until the engine is running over 1200 rpm. When anchoring out, switch to battery 1 or battery 2 so in theory there is always a hot battery to start the engine later on.
 
When I had the bowrider we went out every weekend. I would use "1" on Saturday and "2" on Sunday.

I'd leave it off when not using the boat. That's the main reason I had a switch. My boat was on a mooring.

Once in a while, in I hadn't used the boat in a few weeks, I would start on "1+2" for a little extra cranking boost and then leave it there for a long cruise to charge both batteries. Then back to a single battery when listening to music at anchor.
 
dpvandy01 said:
Stereo at anchor switch to 1, turn to 2 to start, back to both to recharge underway. Off in the slip, next time out reverse..
Click to expand...

Based on what I've been told dpvandy01 has the best answer here.

Only thing I would add is as long as the engine is running I would always put it on 1+2 so both batteries are charging (dpvandy01 said this as well) but also a big one

While the boat is running NEVER NEVER EVER switch it to OFF
 
I recent installed this switch along with a second "deep cycle" batt and I've been testing several different ways to use it. I find the best is:

Switch goes from off to 1+2 at the dock, start with 1+2, run on this setting all the time.

If I stop and anchor, I switch the switch to my deep cycle batt.....thus preserving the charge on my Crank Batt.

The end:thumbsup:
 
MXer478 said:
I recent installed this switch along with a second "deep cycle" batt and I've been testing several different ways to use it. I find the best is:

Switch goes from off to 1+2 at the dock, start with 1+2, run on this setting all the time.

If I stop and anchor, I switch the switch to my deep cycle batt.....thus preserving the charge on my Crank Batt.

The end:thumbsup:
Click to expand...

I've got two cranking, and thought about changing one to a deep cycle but I've been told that since the charge rates are different (deep cycle much slower to fully charge) the cranking takes a beating at the dock while the deep cycle continues to charge. Might need to add a second charger, one for each. Also the deep cycle will not likely charge while fully while underway unless you plan to cruise a good long time
 
What do you mean "takes a beating at the dock?"

I havent heard that a crank/deep set up has any issues. This was the recommended set up.

I understand that each have their own charge cycle but how does the crank batt get the shaft?
 
The service guy at Sea Ray said yesterday that the charger will continue to charge both batteries as long as one needs the charge os the cranking cooks? seems strange to me, I don't fully understand the concept yet and I'm trying to learn and work the best set-up for my application. Actually I'm considering going to 2 deep cycles on 1 and one cranking on 2...
 
I've always alternated between one and two. I've been told that there are only two times when you should use 1 and 2. First, when you need the extra cranking power because both batterys are weak and won't start the engine individually, or second, when you have drained one battery and and want it to charge while underway.

As far as charging deep cycles, for longer battery life, a trickle charge is better at 2 amps. It may take several days to fully charge a drained deep cycle. But I would think that charging it from the alternator would quickly reduce the cycle time. That's what on board chargers are for.

I only use the cranking batteries to run the 12 v systems while the engine is off. It has never failed, but i'm not running an amplifier on the stereo system. I have two deep cycles in parallel that run the inverter in the cuddy, but they are not connected to the battery switch, but get charged from a standard charger on 2 amps at home.
 
If you run around all the time with the switch on "1+2" eventually you will forget while stopped and running the stereo. Then you won't have a back-up.
 
Morpheus said:
Based on what I've been told dpvandy01 has the best answer here.

Only thing I would add is as long as the engine is running I would always put it on 1+2 so both batteries are charging (dpvandy01 said this as well) but also a big one

While the boat is running NEVER NEVER EVER switch it to OFF
Click to expand...


Ditto:thumbsup:
 
I have always alternated each battery. Ran on 1 one day and 2 the next time out. Never worried about switching batteries when anchored or under way. I always figured if I was using 1 and listened to the stereo to long while on the anchor, that was the whole reason I put #2 in for.:grin:
 
FB,

It's OK to run with the switch on 1+2, but you should not leave the switch in the 1+2 position when there is no charging in progress.

The reason for this is ... no matter how evenly matched the batteries are, one will always have higher voltage than the other one. This causes a current loop when the batteries are connected in the 1+2 setting (in parallel) ... current will always be flowing between the batteries and this will shorten their life. The weaker battery will always be pulling the stronger battery down to it's level. The condition is more serious when there is a bigger voltage difference between the two batteries. The charger will have a higher voltage than either battery, so it overrides the interaction between batteries.

-charlie
 
dpvandy01 said:
Stereo at anchor switch to 1, turn to 2 to start, back to both to recharge underway. Off in the slip, next time out reverse..
Click to expand...

I am now officially confused now :smt017. It seems like everyone has a slightly different opinion:huh:.

I agree with the procedure above, but can you switch back to both with the engine running? I know that you should never switch it off.
 
Theoretically you can switch from 1 or 2 to both while the engine is running but I never had the guts to try. I had my 240 for 3 1/2 years and always ran and coved on both (1+2). Never had a problem and never had to replace a battery. We have dry storage, so I always switched to 1 or 2 incase the guys at the marina forget to turn the switch to off before they put in the rack. The one time I forgot to do that, the marina guys forgot to turn the switch off = 2 dead batteries:smt089.

Learned another lesson that weekend: if you use a "hotshot" to jump a dead battery you have to have the swtch turned to one battery or the other. If the switch is on both, the batteries will drain the hotshot, and none of the three will have enough juice to start the boat.:smt009 Although, that did shorten the charging time somewhat.:grin:
 
Make it easy on yourself. Use position 1 to always start. Use position 2 at anchor.

I had my shop install a trickle charger and a plug at the transom. So, I go home, turn the switch to off and plug in. Battery always stay charged.
 
If you run and charge in the "Both" setting and one battery goes belly up, your second battery will also dump it's charge into the bad battery. When you stop and try to restart, you'll find out the hard way. I'd recommend starting with one battery, charging it and then switching to the other battery to give it some charge as well. I'm usually able to restart the next day using the same battery I've been using all night. If I can't, then I'll switch to the 2nd battery to start. Once started, I leave it on the 2nd battery until I know it's fully recharged then I'll switch to the first battery to get it back to a full charge state. I switch from 1 through "Both" to 2 all the time while the engine is running. It's a Perko switch and is a "make before break" switch that won't kill your alternator unless you overshoot the one slot and go into the "Off" position.

I don't think an alternator will fully charge a deep cycle, but it should get it pretty close. I think a 3 or 4 stage charger will keep your deep cycle happy when it's plugged in.
 
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