www.iFourWinns.com

My 235 Sundowner has two batteries, and a switch that I can go from one to the other, or to both. My question is when running, what setting do I use ? do I start on one battery, then switch over later to the other ? Or just leave it on both? Batteries are 2 years old, prior owner only used it 6 times last 2 years, so I'm guessing I should just get a pair of new ones since I have gone over everything else on the boat.

_________________
1994 235 Sundowner w/351 Ford

If boating for the day I alternate them every couple of hours. If its a week-long trip I alternate them each day. I would use "both" only if they got run down and had to combine them to get started.

The only real rule is, NEVER run the switch past the "off" position while the engine is running. As a safety precaution, I believe its best to adopt the practice of never changing the switch position at all unless the engine is off.

_________________


Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Yeah,dont get into any routine of setting to "Both". As Mike said, only do that if both are low. The reason is that when you leave it on "both", and the engine isn't running, then if you have some drag on the battery such as a stereo left on, then you are going to drain both completely, not just one(happenned to me - it sucks) Remember to turn the selector switchto off every time you end the day's boating, and remember to alternate from "1" to "2" daily. No reason I can think of to switch the switch while the engine is running. As I understand it, both batteries recharge with the engine running regardless of what setting the selector switch is on. Can someone verify this?

_________________
2005 Horizon 250

This is only true if you have a battery isolator, if not and you have just the switch as described above, only the battery selected will charge. You don't want to leave it on BOTH because with the engine off if one battery gets low it will drag the other one down. The main point of the switch is to be able to isolate the batteries, so that doesn't happen, but to keep them both charged, you have to alternate between batt#1 and batt#2. You can run it in BOTH, if both are low, but when you turn off the engine, you should switch to 1 or 2 or off, not leave it on Both.
The isolator makes it easy because you don't have to remember to switch. I don't have one, just the switch, so I alternate.

_________________
88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

+1 good habit to not jack with switch with engine running. There. May be a switch when u may have to in case of dead battery but best avoided.

_________________
http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o71 ... wqm355.jpg


08' H210SS
VP 5.7Gi

Thanks and I guess on odd days I will use battery 1 and even days use battery 2. Thanks for the help !!

_________________
1994 235 Sundowner w/351 Ford

I use the odd even rule. No issues so far.

_________________
2001 Horizon 260 - 7.4 Volvo GSI DP

I always suggest running on both as long as you remember to switch to one battery or the other when stopped as LouC said. I have heard too many times of people complaining of their batteres not staying charged but the reason is that they get into the habit of only running with the switch on one or another and never alternate.

_________________
Brian Borchik
The Winds of Cold Springs Harbor Marina
Baldwinsville, NY

Thanks and I will run on both, then switch when parked. Now here is another battery question. One of the batteries is going to be 2 this spring, the other one the guy I bought the boat from did not remember when he bought it, but thought it was no more than 2. I have not looked to see if they have date codes on them like cars, but in any case, would you suggest I take them to an auto store and have them put on their tester ? Or just replace the older one anyway ?

Also since the since the switch is in the off position, do I need to disconnect the batteries as well ?

_________________
1994 235 Sundowner w/351 Ford

When your switch is in the off position the only thing that is still live is the bilge pump so if that wont run then i wouldnt worry about it.

They do have date codes on them but if they are more than 3 or 4 years old i would personally feel more confortable with new batteries...but thats just me.

_________________
Brian Borchik
The Winds of Cold Springs Harbor Marina
Baldwinsville, NY

Most battery switches can be used between battery banks without power interruption. So you can switch between banks BUT on off. Just go to there web site to be sure you'ers can

What you want to add is a combiner http://www.yandina.com/c100InfoR3.htm A simple 3 wire hookup that takes 2 or 3 mins to install!! AND its cheap ins. What is does is "combine" the 2 batteries ONLY when a charge voltage is present, no matter which bank you have the switch set to!! What I do is, leave the slip on #1 battery. As the engine is running both are being charged!! Drop anchor and have fun. Point is, the engine is not running, both batteries are charged, and running the house on #1. All done automatically. Upon leaving, I switch to #2 & start the engine. What I like about this is, both batterys are being used and I know that both can start the engine on its own. Some boaters will use one for starting and the other for the house. I like switching back & forth so I know.

Also, the combiner has a manual over ride. I can force the combiner to connect or disconnect, when needed.