www.iFourWinns.com

I just bought a 2008 258 vista and was curious on how the battery charger works. I actually read the manually but wasn't specific on my question.
So will the battery charger charge both batteries regardless of what I have the battery switched to for starting the engine? The manual states it only charges the battery that is selected from the alternator but it doesn't say anything about the shore power charger. I am just guessing it does both but want to be sure I don't find a dead battery.
Thanks

_________________
--2002 3880 Regal Flybridge | Twin Merc 8.1HO **Seven**
--2003 AB 13 VST Console Inflatable | Tohatsu 40hp TLDI **Phish'n ski**
--310 Mercury Inflatable | 1982 9.9 Johnson

If your set up is similar to mine, when hooked up to shore power, the charger acts as a tender. Meaning, it will only apply the necessary amount of charge as not to overcharge your batteries. The battery selector comes into p,ay when the engine is running.

Long story short, both batteries are being charged when hooked up to shore power.

Hope this helps.

_________________
-Tony
2016 Robalo R200 w/Yahama 200!

Previous boats:
2003 Four Winns 248 Vista - sold
1994 Sunbird Corsair 200 - sold
1980 Checkmate Predictor - sold

Perfect. It's what I figured but just wanted to verify.
Thanks

_________________
--2002 3880 Regal Flybridge | Twin Merc 8.1HO **Seven**
--2003 AB 13 VST Console Inflatable | Tohatsu 40hp TLDI **Phish'n ski**
--310 Mercury Inflatable | 1982 9.9 Johnson

Tony's answer should be correct, but if you want to verify, then do this:
If you have a digital volt meter:
.Engine(s) off, and Put battery selector on #1
.Disconnect shore power (or turn off charger)
...Check voltage on each battery and write down.
.Now Connect shore power and turn charger on
...Check voltage on each battery again, and see if each voltage went up (normal trickle charge might be about 13volts)

If only the #1 battery voltage goes up, then that is the only one being charged.

_________________

"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

Good idea. I can test next time I visit the boat if they haven't remove it from the slip. They need to bottom paint it.

_________________
--2002 3880 Regal Flybridge | Twin Merc 8.1HO **Seven**
--2003 AB 13 VST Console Inflatable | Tohatsu 40hp TLDI **Phish'n ski**
--310 Mercury Inflatable | 1982 9.9 Johnson

The charge voltage is more like 14.2 to 14.5 volts. The battery is more like 13 volts. Point well taken, do a before and after volage check.

There is something else going on now. I didn't have my volt meter with me but it was sitting in the temporary slip for a week without the charger and I went to start the boat and nothing. just a click. Everything was turned off so not sure what could have drained both batteries, it didn't rain all week. I put the charger on for only a few minutes and it started right up. Assumed the extra amps from the charger boosted the start.
It is now in its permanent slip so I will have the charger on all the time. I am going to bring a spare battery since now I don't trust them or the system. I am thinking of taking one of the batteries out to be load tested and use my spare battery in its place that I trust. Only other thing I can think of is test voltage after the batteries have been off the charger for 24 hours to see if I have a drain.

_________________
--2002 3880 Regal Flybridge | Twin Merc 8.1HO **Seven**
--2003 AB 13 VST Console Inflatable | Tohatsu 40hp TLDI **Phish'n ski**
--310 Mercury Inflatable | 1982 9.9 Johnson

Not likely that it went from almost completely dead ("just a click") to "started right up" in just a few minutes. Sounds like a loose/bad connection problem.

_________________

"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

Not sure, it was just a click but the blowers were running so I guess I should have been a little more clear. It wasn't enough to turn the engine but there was life in the batteries. I also left the charger on when starting so that did give it a little boost as well. I think it is a 20 amp charger. Something is definitely up. We had to move the boat and it was over a 2 hour ride with no issues. Also, stopped for gas and shut the engine off, obviously. No problems starting after that.

_________________
--2002 3880 Regal Flybridge | Twin Merc 8.1HO **Seven**
--2003 AB 13 VST Console Inflatable | Tohatsu 40hp TLDI **Phish'n ski**
--310 Mercury Inflatable | 1982 9.9 Johnson

I just read through the manual and it states "“OFF” - With the battery selector switch in the “OFF” position, all 12 volt power to the engine is shut off except to the automatic bilge pump, stereo and 12
volt receptacle."
So I would have to guess the radio may have played a part in this drain. I thought it was off. The display is off but it must have the clock running and presets in memory all the time. Need to do more digging but I may be getting closer.

_________________
--2002 3880 Regal Flybridge | Twin Merc 8.1HO **Seven**
--2003 AB 13 VST Console Inflatable | Tohatsu 40hp TLDI **Phish'n ski**
--310 Mercury Inflatable | 1982 9.9 Johnson

Are you sure you have a battery charger? My 298 didn't even come with one for some reason and I bought it new.

_________________

Current Boat: 2000 Four Winns 298 Vista
Previous Boat: 2000 Carver 406MY

Yes I do have one. Don't know how well it works yet but seems to have helped when it didn't start.

_________________
--2002 3880 Regal Flybridge | Twin Merc 8.1HO **Seven**
--2003 AB 13 VST Console Inflatable | Tohatsu 40hp TLDI **Phish'n ski**
--310 Mercury Inflatable | 1982 9.9 Johnson

Man that seems really odd. I can't believe a battery charger wouldn't be standard equipment on a new 298. Did the dealer ever say why it didn't come with one?

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2008 Vista 278 Volvo Penta 8.1 Gi 375 hp
1999 Horizon 220 5.7 GSi

So its the starter and/or solenoid.... turned the key a bunch of times in a row. click. click. then starts. Terminals were pretty corroded but bought a new starter anyways I don't feel like messing around with it. Just need to install it now.

_________________
--2002 3880 Regal Flybridge | Twin Merc 8.1HO **Seven**
--2003 AB 13 VST Console Inflatable | Tohatsu 40hp TLDI **Phish'n ski**
--310 Mercury Inflatable | 1982 9.9 Johnson

I've had similar experience from a bad connection or a cable going bad (internal corrosion, possibly). If you are replacing the starter, you may want to consider also replacing the cables at the same time.

_________________
2002 Funship 214
VP 5.7 GX Si
2003 Tahoe