Battery Switch Position

[Turbo]

Just wondering other members thoughts on battery switch.I would think when running your boat it should be in BOTH position, to charge both batteries.When stopped with motor not running,listening to tunes switch to one of the batteries . When ready to cruise again switch to other batt. to start boat then once running switch to BOTH batts. to charge both batts. Any thoughts?

[t.franscioni]

That's right assuming you don't have an automatic charging relay which you probably don't if you have the option to select "both" on your battery switch.

[Turbo]

Thanks for the input.Ours is a 2007 210

[shag]

The best way to use two batteries (imo) is to use/run on a different battery on each day of use. Use battery 1 on Saturday, use Battery 2 on Sunday, Then you always have a charged battery. One battery is fine when using your boat for normal use, it is charging as needed while underway.

[nyryan2001]

Absolutely do NOT adjust the switch while the engine is running.

Turn the switch through 0/None with it running and you will zap your alternator.

[scottb7]

See attachment. But, for sure don't turn the switch to off while boat is running.

[shag]

"between battery banks"... I never switch through the off position while running.... Off, is a permanent break in contact

[rlwagens]

Yeah pretty much all your perkos are make before break, and you can move between 1/2/both while its running. The proper way to use two identical batteries (two cranking) is how shag explained it, alternating every day. Of note, this is also Nautique's instructions in their boat manuals as well, at least in my 06. Obviously, if you are running a cranking battery in position 1 and deep cycle in position 2, this goes out the window and you should be putting an onboard charger on them.

[MLA]

Yeah pretty much all your perkos are make before break,

To the contrary, Perko has made a number of switches that are not make before break. On the other hand, most of the Blue Sea and Guest switches are. So you need to know the brand and model first.

For the most, the OP has it right if the switch is a traditional 1/2/BOTH/OFF switch. Use can also be dictated by the battery types and how the banks are used.

[scottb7]

In my opinion the easiest way to use the switch is simply to always put in the both position, that way when running it will top both batteries off. Then when tied up without engine running, listening to music or whatever, switch it to either the one or two (but not both). That way if you run that one down, you can switch to both to restart the engine, and to once again top both off.

[swatguy]

Multiple ways to run two batteries. I happen to agree with SCOTTB above



Myself. I run both while the boat is in use all the time. This way they both see the charging. When I go to listen to the stereo while stopped for a long period of time I alternate between days. If it's an odd# day I use bank 1 to chill. If it's even# day I use bank two. When I fire the boat back up to ride I swap to both so the drained battery gets a charge again.

Battery life is killed by how many drain/recharge cycles they go through. So I try to rotate the amount of drain on each. If you're never using your batteries to sit and relax to the stereo for periods of time, I see no reason not to leave th the switch in the "both position" assuming both batteries are identical.