batteries question

[boslaw]

I'm new to boating. I have 2 batteries on my boat with a "both, 1, 2, off" switch.

Dealer told me to select either 1 or 2 each time out, and use Both if I have trouble starting.

Is this correct? Do I turn off when I'm docked, or do I leave it on 1 or 2?

thanks

 

[NIGHTIDES]

Sounds right to me.. since that is what do all the time..

 

[Curmudgeon]

At face value, your dealer is right on if you intend to use the second battery as a backup. BOTH should be thought of as an emergency measure. Turning the switch OFF will eliminate any potential battery drain from stuff wired thru the switch ... :wink:

 

[leek]

batteries

When you are running the boat you should switch to 1 or 2 on alternate (so you keep both charged up) trips. Both is emergency or needing to recharge both if you are going to take a long run and you know both batteries are good. Turn it off at the dock to avoid draining the batteries. Don't switch to off while the engine is running.

 

[ChampyAdventure208]

What about the bilge pump? If you leave the battery switch to Off, while on the dock, then the bilge pump will not run. I realize this should not be a big deal, but if you are planning on leaving the boat at the dock for an extended period I would want the make sure the bilge pump could run if needed. The only way around this problem would be to wire the bilge pump directly to one of the batteries, so it is not tied to the switch. Better save than sorry.

 

[boslaw]

I thought bilge pumps were always wired to be always alive (even if you turned your batteries off). I don't know if my boat is wired that way, but I assumed they all were as a standard safety measure?

 

[croixboy]

What about the bilge pump? If you leave the battery switch to Off, while on the dock, then the bilge pump will not run. I realize this should not be a big deal, but if you are planning on leaving the boat at the dock for an extended period I would want the make sure the bilge pump could run if needed. The only way around this problem would be to wire the bilge pump directly to one of the batteries, so it is not tied to the switch. Better save than sorry.

Bilge Pumps are almost always tied directly to the battery so they will run no matter where you put the switch. With his setup, he should put the switch to Off at the dock.

 

[CJBROWN]

I'm new to boating. I have 2 batteries on my boat with a "both, 1, 2, off" switch.

Dealer told me to select either 1 or 2 each time out, and use Both if I have trouble starting.

Is this correct? Do I turn off when I'm docked, or do I leave it on 1 or 2?

thanks

This is a good way to keep them both in use and topped off. Keep in mind most outboard motors have a fairly low charge rate, so if you run a battery down consider putting a dock-side charger on it. And if you're using 'starting' batteries they will not survive repeated discharges. Their plates are thinner and not made for deep cycling - they are made for a quick high-amp draw to start a motor and then be completely charged back up.

I run a deep cycle and a starting battery with the Yamaha auxilliary charge lead. I always run everything on the deep-cycle, and should it become discharged to where starting is an issue, then I have the fresh starting battery to get 'er going. A fishing trip in particular sees the bait-well pump, sounder/gps unit, radio, stereo, and sometimes even lights on, and the motor sometimes trolling, sometimes off. So there's a pretty big draw with nothing to recharge. That's when I'll put the dockside charger on it to bring it backup - the 35amp alt on the motor is not going to do it, even with a fairly long run back in from the fishing grounds.

Many owners use the 'all' with the thought that this will keep both batteries up. However if one is weaker than the other, it will over charge the good one, and you'll never know there's a bad battery in the mix. Definatley best to use one or the other and monitor their charge rate/voltage. 12.2 is considered completely discharged, and a battery left in this condition will be ruined.

Do a search on the forum and you'll find several good threads on battery selection and usage.

EDIT: and yes, auto-bilge pumps are wired direct.

 

[boslaw]

thanks - do all boats have a hook-up for dock charging, or should I buy a separate battery charger? I know my slip has a hook-up - just not sure where I connect it to on the boat.

I mostly use my boat on weekends, so it sits for at least a week at a time with no use at all.

 

[CJBROWN]

thanks - do all boats have a hook-up for dock charging, or should I buy a separate battery charger? I know my slip has a hook-up - just not sure where I connect it to on the boat.

I mostly use my boat on weekends, so it sits for at least a week at a time with no use at all.

Since you didn't say what model, you may or may not have dockside power port. If you have an electrical panel for 110v, then there will be a port/plug for shore power. If your batteries are fully charged, sitting for a week or two is not a problem.

A lot of guys will install/hardwire a charger to maintain their batteries. It's more common on larger boats than say, my 20 footer. I just connect a 6amp charger for a couple of hours 'till they're all charged up, or for overnight. If your boat sits for more than a couple of weeks at time then a trickle charger is a great idea to keep them topped up. Batteries do discharge over time, and this can shorten their life if left discharged.

Look thru the marine supply catalog for battery chargers and you'll get an idea of the options available. Like I say, for a smaller boat with a couple of regular batteries I probably would not spend the money. For motor-yachts with banks of batteries, starting and house, the systems can get quite elaborate, with smart chargers, auto-chargers, consta-volts, inverters, and the like.

 

[boslaw]

Thanks CJBrown. I have a 20' grady 208. As you may be able to tell, I know virtually nothing about boats (I've been learning a lot from this forum and others, and I've been asking lots of questions).

 

[CJBROWN]

Thanks CJBrown. I have a 20' grady 208. As you may be able to tell, I know virtually nothing about boats (I've been learning a lot from this forum and others, and I've been asking lots of questions).

LOL. No problem, lots of good info here.

I'm a transmplant from WA state, been boating for about 45 years. Took a hiatus for about 15 years when we moved to So-Cal, now we're back into boating.

My passion in the NW was wooden sailboats, built a couple, restored a couple, had an old Alden yawl built 1958, all wood with a Mercedes 180D motor for auxiliary. It had a 8D for a house battery and engine driven AC system for refrigeration. You learn how to make stuff work when you own an old wooden sailboat!

These days I just like to go out for a few hours for some fishing or a harbor cruise. The rest of it is all just too much like work :wink: Hence the little Grady White! They're great boats. I'm ready to move up to a Sailfish, but with the economy in the dumps it's not the best time to try and do that. The 208 is effortless to own and run.

 

[gerrys]

boslaw:
Where are you located? Perhaps some friendly soul on the forum might be willing to visit and give you a primer. I really would be worth your while to meet with an experienced boater and talk about boats in general and your boat particularly.

 

[boslaw]

Thanks. I'm in Gloucester, MA. I may take a class (I've already passed coast guard safety course in MA) or I'll just pick up a book. I've heard that Chapman's is really good.

 

[BobP]

Finally a dealer who advises the proper way to use Off/Both/1/2 swithes.

Since you don't use the boat much, depending on how much aux load you use while out, you may not arrive at the dock with the battery of choice that day fully charged, so it will sit for a long time partially discharged, because the next time out you will be on the other battery.

Get one of those cheap floating ball battery electrolyte testers at the local auto barn to see what state of charge you are in, just pror to selecting that battery again. If it is not fully charged, you may want to consider a shore power fed dual battery charger to prolong the life of the batts. Batts do not like to stay partially discharged for periods of time.

 

[journeyman]

Hey boslaw, I'm in gloucester. Give a shout on the the radio sometime. we're on our boat as often as time (& work schedule) allows. Fishing is really starting to heat up!

FYI - Grady is in the early stages of helping to organize a club in our area. Would be interested to hear from members on pros/cons of Grady clubs. Might be something to think about for you as a new boater.

What's your boats name?

 

[boslaw]

Thanks Jim. I'm definitely interested in a grady club in the Gloucester area. My boat doesn't have a name yet - not sure if I'll even name it at all. It's only a 20'. My wife wants "Lori's Dory" but I'm not sure I like that much ; )

Andre

 

[weatherbymag]

I am in Beverly/Salem, and have a gulfsteam..
usually make a couple of trips up to wingasheek..

let me know if they get a club going..