Do I need a battery switch?

dnifedem85

Seaman
Joined
Sep 14, 2008
Messages
62
I have a single battery in my 18' bowrider, but the battery seems to need charging quite often. Do you suggest I get a battery switch to disconnect the battery when not in use? Thanks for any help!
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: Do I need a battery switch?

Step 1: Verify that the engine charging system is working.
Step 2: Have the battery load tested to ensure the battery is actually capable of "holding a charge".
Step 3: If #1 and #2 are ok, veryify what is creating the current draw.
Conclusion: No -- you don't need a battery switch. You need to figure out what is draining the battery.
 

Boatist

Rear Admiral
Joined
Apr 22, 2002
Messages
4,552
Re: Do I need a battery switch?

I agree with Silvertip.
After you have done what was sugested try making sure the battery is fully charged then disconnect the ground wire to your battery and leave disconnected the amount of time required to reach the point where you have problems.

If when you reconnect and try it works good then you need to find the source of the drain.

Most of the time I seen this problems it was a new stereo installed or one of the automatic bilge pumps but it can be anything connect to the battery.
 

Wee Hooker

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 11, 2005
Messages
618
Re: Do I need a battery switch?

All that said, if your battery is more than 4-5 years old, it's cheap insurance to replace it anyway.
 
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