Battery switch help What is the correct use???

[Bradforce]

I have a 1991 Force 150 on a 21 foot trophy. Can someone tell me what is the proper way to use the battery swith?? 1, 2, or both for starting and running. Can I start on both then swith to 1 or 2???? Thanks Brad

 

[ricksrster]

Re: Battery switch help What is the correct use???

Depends on your set up. I have a starting battey on pos.1 to start the motor. Pos.2 is a deepcycle for when I fish with the motor off and use my lights, fishfinder, etc. If your switch is "make before break", you can switch from 1, both , or 2. DO NOT TURN OFF WITH MOTOR RUNNING! I also have an isolator so the weaker battery doesn't draw from the stronger battery and rundown. The weaker battery will charge first then the stronger battery.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Battery switch help What is the correct use???

I like battery isolator better than a switch but if you have a switch then you need to know what type it is.

With a switch of unknown type only safe way to use switch is to only turn with the motor stopped. If you want to charge both batteries then start in both. If you want to charge battery one then with motor stopped turn to one then start motor.

If you wire your switch with a battery isolator also connected then motor will charge both batteries any time the motor is running and isolator will protect your alternator. Both batteries would have to loose connection before it would blow the alternator. Only problem with this is if you leave the switch in position 1 while your running your trolling motor off of battery 2 then it will drain both batteries. To protect battery one would need to set switch to position 2 or off so battery 1 does not discharge.