leave a battery on?

[shilo]

Does anyone leave a battery "on" while the boat is docked? I've been turning mine off, but I got to thinking - what if the boat developed a small leak and the power is off so no bilge pump. What is the common procedure with batteries - on or off docked?

 

[Dave S]

Your bilge pump will still work with the battery switch off.

 

[fwebster]

Knowing what kind of boat would help..............the answer could be different on a 185BR than on a 680 Sun Sport.

But, bilge pumps are wired to the hot side of the battery switch so, even with the battery switch off, they are on all the time.

 

[STIHLBOLTS]

I always take the keys out and turn the battery off when leaving the boat.

1st like Frank said the bilge pump is tied directly to the battery.

2nd leaving keys in any vehicle is a invitation to anyone to take a joy ride.

3rd you have done all you can to secure your boat and in this litchis society you could potentially be sued because someone took a joy ride in your boat because you left the keys and battery on and they got hurt. Don't that just suck. :smt021

 

[shilo]

I didn't realize the bilge pumps were tied to the hot side of the battery and will work regardless of whether or not the battery is left on. Mine have the seperate floats so sometime I will lift up a float just to make sure. And while I was considering leaving a battery on, I would never leave the key in the boat. As has been mentioned, it is a shame that we live in a legal system that will hold someone responsible for the criminal act of another. Thanks.

 

[DougsMDX]

Does anyone leave a battery "on" while the boat is docked? I've been turning mine off, but I got to thinking - what if the boat developed a small leak and the power is off so no bilge pump. What is the common procedure with batteries - on or off docked?

Up until this weekend, I was leaving my battery switch in the "on" position, just like my marina contract suggested. Well ................. after my two sons' boating trip this past Saturday was cancelled due to a dead battery, we won't be doing that anymore!!

After further investigation it was determined the marina "guys" had left the switch on all week while I was in Las Vegas and something killed the battery.

Lesson learned!

I explained to them, I would be turning off my battery switch whenever I leave the boat.

 

[gerryb]

One small suggestion. If you do NOT normally turn your battery switch off when away from the boat and, after reading this thread, want to change to turning it off... After you turn them off and get ready to leave the dock, quickly go down into the bilge and do a test using the float switch. This will confirm that the pumps and switches work, confirm that they are connected to the batteries as they should be, and will give you peace of mind throughout the week.

 

[Alex F]

I usually leave a/c power on, fridge on, battery switch in BOTH position to make sure that charger will charge both batteries. I keep the fridge on so that when we're back on the following weekends we can store the food right away and head out.
I'm under the impresion that even if something is left on (e.g. light) the batteries should be fine as long as the charger is working.

I agree that there's always a risk of some shorts if something goes wrong, but as one CSR captain had mentioned, if you leave the switch in OFF position and the bildge pump is running more often than expected, the batteries will go dead and the boat could sink as well.

Am I wrong about any of this?

Thanks,
Alex.

 

[Rock Hall]

This leads to another question I've been trying to find the answer to. With a shore power charger designed for 2 banks, if you turn the battery switch off, does the charger still charge the batteries?

Also, if you have the switch set to #1, does the alternator or charger charge both banks as needed.

I'd like to check this out, but my shore charger died this year and I dont like crawling around in the engine room with the engine running.

Does anyone know a definite answer to this question?

Mark

 

[Alex F]

My understaning is that if you keep the switch on #1 you use and recharge #1, where if you keep it on both you would use and charge both. But there's a chance I could be wrong.

Alex.

 

[SwampNut]

The charger will charge both batteries no matter what the switch is set to.

The engine will charge only the engine battery unless you set the switch to both or you have a combiner or isolator.

 

[bnydish]

It does not benifit you to leave the battery on. Your bilge pump/float is hot-wired. What other reason would you want the battery on?

If your shore-power was unpluged,..your battery would be dead in a day if you had the fridge/lights/ect,..left on. NO BENIFIT.

On suggestion,...if you have it on the off setting,...would it possibly stop an "un-invited" guest on your boat looking for trouble? POSSIBLY.
My 2 cents

 

[Go Aweigh2452]

I normally will turn the battery switch to #1 on odd days and # 2 on even days. Just a habit... as stated above, with the engine running you will only charge the battery that you have turned on.

Normally, your #1 battery is the starter battery so if you plan on leaving your battery switch in the on position then select #2 (house battery) so your #1 will have a charge if something on the boat runs the battery down (radio, frig, whatever).

Also, never switch the battery switch while the engine is running.

 

[Concretehead]

Leave battery on?

I always leave battery switch set on "both", shorepower and converter (charger) on. This will keep the Mercathode system functioning. According to Mercruiser the units are not hotwired to the battery.