dead battery

[fallen192]

hi
i have a 1985 30 ft sea ray weekender with 4 battery's , when i leave the dock the motors start right up and while running i have the battery switch to both , when i anchor we have the usual on , radio ,and fridge, and i have the battery's to ether 1 or 2 not both , but the same thing happens every time we go to leave , my port motor starts right up but my starboard is dead and i have to use the emergency switch to start , any ideas :huh:

 

[midway]

Batteries weak, there is a draw on the hook that is excessive if these batteries run the house items, alternator could cause this but I would think it would do it at the dock also. I just reread your post and have a question, does each engine have an alternator, if so I would think each engine should charge a set of batteries, I am wondering if have the battery switch on both has some affect on the charging system.

 

[fallen192]

hi
and yes each engine has its own alternator and charge when the boat is running

 

[midway]

If you have access to a load meter, disconnect the batteries and load test them to be sure they are good. When disconnecting the batteries look for sparks when you pull the cables, if you have nothing on there should be no draw on the batteries other than radio memory and maybe an electric clock which you would probably not notice. If you hear and see an electrical arc then find the source. I really think the batteries are the problem. You probably run shore power when at the dock and have a charger to keep the batteries fully charged and when on the hook the battery cools down and dies. Just my thoughts.

 

[fallen192]

ok i will check thank you