www.iFourWinns.com

I didn't see this mentioned and thought it worth posting: if you have a dual battery switch setup, NEVER switch batteries while the boat is running. You will fry your alternator.

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

Good tip Sierra. Thanks.

So, Jim R and Cap'n Morgan, do you both agree that there is a way to have 2 batteries, and have one protected at all times, but to keep it monitored and charged by the switch at all times?

What I'd like to do, is switch it to Battery 1, and leave it there, only ever changing it over if I can't start the boat because I ran the battery down with the stereo. Flip to battery 2, and Bob becomes my proverbial uncle. Boat starts, and begins charging BOTH batteries, and stereo and boat work normally.

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2008 H200SS
5.7 EFI Volvo Penta
Black graphics
2004 Toyota 4Runner

Its protected as long as u have your switch set to either battery. If you have it set to both you could drain both.



You could get yourself a deep cycle battery and cranking battery.. A cranking one to start your engine and a deep cycle to run your stuff all day.

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Walter

2003 248 Vista - VP 5.0 GXi
2009 Toyota Tundra SR5 5.7L 4x4

With a conventional dual battery switch, what you should never do is to switch batteries from "1" to "2" over the "off" position when the engine is running. It's OK ( usually!) to switch from 1-2 over the "both" position. Most dual battery switches are designed to "make before break" when switching from 1-both-2 and vice versa. i.e. before "1" is disconnected, contact is made with "2", so the alternator is always connected to a battery ( apart from in the off position, of course!)

Incidentally, FW incorporate some diodes so that the bilge pump is always connected to both batteries, but the batteries are prevented from discharging one another. Only really of interest I suppose to boaters like me where the boat is permanently on the water all Summer.

Graham

I have a 1-OFF-2, I guess I should get a 1-BOTH-2-OFF switch, and then install a charger.

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2006 300 Sundancer
2007 Trailblazer LT V8
2004 Grand Prix GTP Comp G (For Sale)
Previous Boats:
2006 255 Sundowner 5.7GXI-G
2000 CrownLine 202BR
1994 Baja 180 Islander
1980 Galaxy 18' BR

This is the new version of the Perko "1 -2 -All - Off" unit I had installed in my Sundeck. It has a key lock for additional theft protection and now apparently has ignition protection if switched off when the boat is running.

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

JeffK,

Is that the standard switch FW fitted? my 245 Sundowner, basically the same as the 255, has factory fitted two battery set up, it has a Guest "1-both-2-off" switch. Its widely believed here that the EU approved boats have some differences to the US home market ones ( I suspect igetting the "E" approval plate fitted is just a way to apply another tax!). It would seem strange for FW to fit one type of switch to the European boats and another type to the US boats that would only save them a matter of a few cents.

Graham

Now that you mention that, I may be wrong. I'll be down there this afternoon, I'll look and see to be sure. Then all I'll need is a Dual Bank Charger!

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2006 300 Sundancer
2007 Trailblazer LT V8
2004 Grand Prix GTP Comp G (For Sale)
Previous Boats:
2006 255 Sundowner 5.7GXI-G
2000 CrownLine 202BR
1994 Baja 180 Islander
1980 Galaxy 18' BR

jjker,
THe 'adda-a-battery' package I have described contains both a switch and an acr. It's as close as you can get to set and forget. When the switch is on, house and starting batteries are isolated, unless under charge (by alternator or external charger). I have a group 31 battery on the house sid e and a group 27 on the starter side. With the engine off, I can blast toons till the group 31 quits (all day basically), and my switch and starting battery both will be un-touched. As others have stated, this can be done with a switch and lots of manual fuss, but for an extra $50 (for the acr), why bother.

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

That's precisely what I want. I'd rather invest the $50 than be constantly raising and lowering the sunpad to fiddle with switches and knobs!

An ACR is an isolator? Anybody have a link or a website that I can check out and read up on "ACRs"? Are they made by Perko too?

Now, as for the batteries, I don't understand the difference between a group 31 and a group 27. More info please?

Thanks.

_________________
2008 H200SS
5.7 EFI Volvo Penta
Black graphics
2004 Toyota 4Runner

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP