www.iFourWinns.com

I've got a 05 280 Horizon that I bought used this year. I've got the small battery out on it and I'm wanting some advice on the best batteries to buy. We don't do a lot of running and more cove chilling listening to music. We do have a fridge we use when we are out.

Another question is the settings on my batter selector switch. There are 4 settings. One is off, one on and there are two settings connected by a white line for emergency start. I've had boats before that had just the off, on and emergency but I'm curious as to the extra settings on this one? Where should I have it when running around and where when sitting.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

_________________
2005 Four Winns 280 Horizon

From the owners manual, which you can download here: http://www.fourwinns.com/customer-servi ... nuals.aspx

"The use of one battery at a time is recommended. Position the battery selector switch to either the #1 or #2 position. Under normal conditions, avoid using the “BOTH” position. Use the “BOTH” position only when a single bat- tery is not capable of starting the engine. Four Winns recommends alternating between batteries during boating. Depending upon boating use, this may increase battery longevity. Use battery #1 for the first day of a cruise and switch to battery #2 on the second day."

_________________
NEW - 2000 Cobalt 246 w/454 Magnum 385HP | SOLD - 2000 FW Horizon 180 LS w/5.0Gi 250HP Volvo Penta

You are not mentioning a dual battery setup. I would consider one. I like AGM battiers myself. They give you a higher amp output in starting and last longer than a normal deep cycle.

Thanks for the link and if you look at page 238 of the manual you will see my battery selector. The verbiage in the manual doesn't actually relate to the panel itself. They talk about 1, 2 and Both positions, but my panel has Off, On and two spots you can turn the dial to for Emergency start only. I'm confused as hell on this one and maybe I'm missing something here.

Check out page 70 of the Horizon/Freedom manual:

"Battery Switch Operation with “Emergency Start
Only” Position

The battery selector switch with “Emergency Start” po-
sition is standard on certain models only. A description
of the various positions for the battery switch is as fol-
lows:

“OFF” - With the battery selector switches in the “OFF”
position and the “SHIPS SYSTEMS” circuit breaker in
the “OFF” position, all 12 volt power to the boat is shut
off except to the automatic bilge pumps, stereo and wind-
lass (if applicable). Always turn the battery selector
switch to the “OFF” position when the boat is unattend-
ed for an extended period.

NOTICE
Twelve volt power to the cabin panel is supplied
by the “SHIPS SYSTEMS” circuit breaker on
the battery selector panel. This must be turned
on to operate any 12 volt accessories on the
cabin panel. The bilge pumps and stereo re-
ceive power from the ships system battery and
remain on at all time regardless of battery selec-
tor or ship systems switch position.

NOTICE
DO NOT turn the battery selector switch to the
“OFF” position while its corresponding engine
is running. Alternator and wiring damage could
result.

“ON” - Turning the switch to position “ON” will use the
engine battery to power the engine and 12 volt engine
related equipment. The ships system battery will not
be used for any engine related equipment, but will power
all other 12V equipment on the boat (when “SHIP SYS-
TEM” circuit breaker is on). The isolator will allow the
alternator to fully charge the two batteries, but not al-
low the operator to drain down the engine start battery.
“ON” is the recommended switch position for normal
boat operation. This position allows maximum use of
12V equipment on the boat and leaves a full charge in
the engine battery(s) for starting.

“EMERGENCY START ONLY” - With the battery se-
lector switch in the “EMERGENCY START ONLY” po-
sition, the engine and ships systems battery are con-
nected in parallel. Both batteries will be used by the
engine and all 12 volt equipment. Both batteries will be
charged by the alternator through the isolator."

_________________
NEW - 2000 Cobalt 246 w/454 Magnum 385HP | SOLD - 2000 FW Horizon 180 LS w/5.0Gi 250HP Volvo Penta

Any thoughts on why there would be two position selections on the Emergency Start? Technically there are 4 positions on this selector. That is the main confusion I had. The dealer told us to always have it on the straight up position which is technically an emergency start position, but what I'm reading is we should be in the "On" position (9 o'clock). Problem is there is that 4th one (3 o'clock) position which shows as part of the emergency start. Not sure what the 2 (12 and 3 o'clock positions actually do).

_________________
2005 Four Winns 280 Horizon

Can you post a photo? Do you have one or two batteries?

_________________
NEW - 2000 Cobalt 246 w/454 Magnum 385HP | SOLD - 2000 FW Horizon 180 LS w/5.0Gi 250HP Volvo Penta

2 Batteries. One is bigger and one is the size of a car battery. I'll try and post a picture of it.

_________________
2005 Four Winns 280 Horizon

You may want to tracy the wires from the batteries to the switch. That to will tell you how it is wired and how/what the switches work.

Yeah may be what happens. Just hoping someone on here may be an expert with that setup. Thanks.

_________________
2005 Four Winns 280 Horizon

If your not the first owner, you may not know what someone did in the past.

I don't think you have the factory setup. FW used either a single group 27 or a pair of them, mounted on the starboard side. Many of these boats needed their batteries relocated to the port side, as having all that weight plus the fresh water tank plus the captain all on the same side caused them to list. FW changed the factory install location to the port side in, I believe, '08 or '09.

_________________


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