Battery Switch

[dago52]

I have 2 batteries and a switch that reads 1, all, and 2. I have been running the switch on all, but the mechanic told me to run it on one or two, never both. Just curious if this can possible damage to the power pack, rectifier, or stator. I just got the boat last year from my father-n-law, and the boat only had 110 hours on the hour meter. It is a 1996 scout 202 with 175 evinrude oceanpro.

Thanks

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Battery Switch

You are not going to hurt anything but its a good idea to run one at a time. If one develops a shorted cell you could wind up with 2 dead batteries instead of one

 

[reload]

Re: Battery Switch

Actually I think if the switch is left in the both position when not in use, it can discharge both batteries, depending on how the circuitry is wired. Has something to do with the internal resistance of the batteries.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Battery Switch

COrrect has all to do with how you wire it....

 

[dago52]

Re: Battery Switch

The positive and negative of one battery are connected to the positive and negative of the other battery, and then to the switch. I am just trying to avoid another expensive mistake.

Thanks again

 

[reload]

Re: Battery Switch

If they are connected positive to positive and negative to negative, then the switch is doing nothing.

 

[dago52]

Re: Battery Switch

When I get the boat back I will double check and keep you guys posted.

Thanks for the help

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Battery Switch

Running 2 batteries in parallel will not discharge them unless there is a problem with one of them. Been running one that way for years but you can't rely on the motor charging both of them. From what you are saying, reload is correct. The switch does nothing. For it to work correctly the neg posts on the batteries should be hooked together and go to motor ground. Then on the switch the pos from one battery go to #1 and the other to #2 and the common connection to the motors pos.