www.iFourWinns.com

Not sure what the difference would be (there is only one way to connect two 12VDC batteries together and still get 12V), but the 328 doesn't have a BOTH setting. I'd imagine it's the exact same as PARALLEL (both the engine and ship systems). Any other way to connect them (series) would net you 24VDC.

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1969 Chris Craft Commander 47
1999 Four Winns 328 Vista - SOLD

The main battery switch with a 2 bank set-up should have. OFF-BATT 1 ON- BATT 2 ON - BOTH. At lest my boat does. As in http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?pat ... &id=183584

The ""EMERGENCY OPERATION 'Battery switch" is using a relay to tie the 2 batteries together, which would limit current. By putting the battery switch on both, you would be connecting the cables directly up tp each other. If your boat does not have a dual battery switch, I would put one in.

I did go over your past post to see if I missed something, because I alway do!! I don't understand "I have a 3 battery charger and think that it may continue to charge the 2 house batteries as 1. Is this a bad idea?"

It sound like you have a 3 bank charger and 3 batteries (1 starting & 2 house), no?? One bank to one battery! Never charge up 2 batterys as one. Never hardwire 2 batterys, there should be a switch to disconnect them from each other when not in use.

Pretty sure we're not communicating effectively here. In the 328, we have a 3 battery switch and 3 batteries, so we have one panel with 2 daul battery switches, one for each engine. While I have not read the manual for the dual battery switch you linked - I would hazard a guess that when you select BOTH, it connects the positive leads from both batteries together, correct? When it does that, the batteries are connected in parallel, resulting in 12V and allowing connected devices to draw down on the current within both batteries. This is exactly what the PARALLEL setting on the 328 2 engine, dual, dual battery switches do. It connects the positive leads from the house battery to the engine battery in question (depending if you switched the port or starboard switch). There is no degradation in available current that I'm aware of.

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1969 Chris Craft Commander 47
1999 Four Winns 328 Vista - SOLD

YES!! That is true!!

But you quoted me from one of my past posting, Daytripper wrote.

"From This theory makes sense because, in the event power is completely drained while at anchorage, the "emergency" or "house battery" can crank the engines once the engine batteries are depleted by switching to "Parallel or Ship Systems, Emergency start only".

And I came back to him.

"Beware, in the "EMERGENCY OPERATION 'Battery switch PARALLEL" will allow less current to pass then moving the battery switch to the BOTH setting." (some boats do have this switch at the helm)

So I was thinking, the above is what you are talking about, because you wrote & quoted me on.

"Not sure what the difference would be (there is only one way to connect two 12VDC batteries together and still get 12V), but the 328 doesn't have a BOTH setting. I'd imagine it's the exact same as PARALLEL (both the engine and ship systems). Any other way to connect them (series) would net you 24VDC."

I am SORRY for any misunderstandings!!!!!!!

Hey Weather,

The engine only stalls when the battery switch is ON. When it's parallel, it fires up instantly with no issue. Maybe the battery is bad and the isolator is acting up. I'll find out soon enough.

One last question. Will be batteries charge if the switches are in the OFF position?

Paul, the 328's have 4 positions on each of the 2 engine battery selectors. On, off, parallel (emergency starting only), and ship systems (emergency starting only).

My personal belief on this deal:

Replace ALL 3 batteries at the same time. Start with NEW Group 27 or Group 29 batteries. This way, you have guaranteed yourself new, proper size batteries and have taken that out of the loop of possible problems.

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

Yes, I would agree, and thats all I am saying! I always put foot in mouth!!

Yes, the batteries will charge in the OFF position (from the charger). I leave my boat in OFF everytime I leave it. The switches only interupt the battery to starter connection.

Battery Isolator Testing
1. Remove all wire connections from the isolator.
2. Setup a digital multi-meter (DMM) in the diode test mode.
3. Connect the red probe from the DMM to the alternator input (A) and the black probe from the DMM to the battery output terminal to be tested. A good isolator connection will show a reading of 0.4 to 0.6VDC.
4. Connect the DMM black probe to the alternator input (A) and the red probe to the battery output terminal to be tested. A good isolator connection will show a reading of OL.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the other battery output terminals with respect to each alternator input

Typically the terminals starting at either end of the isolator go - battery - alt - battery - alt - battery.

_________________
1969 Chris Craft Commander 47
1999 Four Winns 328 Vista - SOLD