Battery switch..............again

[Boat of Us]

Hello<br /><br />This Battery Switch question seems to be very popular, but it is abit confusing.<br />I have two battery's, 1 starting and 1 deep cycle.<br />Once I started my engine(outboard) can I turn my switch to both? My switch has a AFD. <br />Some say yes & some say no. If I can not, then what is the purpose of having a switch? Since I don't have shore power,which means I can not charge the battery's, I must rely on my engine's alternator.<br />I put on the cabin light and played with the switch. The light never flickered.<br />Thanks and hopefully I'll get a clearer picture of understanding the FAMOUS BATTERY SELECTOR SWITCH..........

 

[Solittle]

Re: Battery switch..............again

I use both only when both batteries are relatively low. Normally I start on one, use it on the way out - then switch to the other for the way back. In your case you want to keep the starting battery fully charged.<br /><br />Outboard charging system do not put out anywhere near the juice for charging than your home charger does. Another thing - when the switch is on both, the stronger battery will charge the weaker until both have the same charge without you or your motor doing anything. So if one is fully charged and the other is close to being dead you could wind up with neither battery having enough juice to get you going.<br /><br />Best to have both fully charged before you get to the dock. How many times have we been to a ramp and there is mom and the kids watching in absolute frustration as dad tries to start the boat with a near dead battery?

 

[JB]

Re: Battery switch..............again

Moving to Electrics.