One of two battery not working, battery switch?

[boat4fun83]

I have a boat with a 350 gm motor. The boat has a battery selector switch. When the switch is on battery 1 or both, it works. When I switch it to battery two I don't get anything. I have switched the battery places and both batteries work. I checked perko's wiring diagrahm and it is wired correctly.

I tried changing the connecters on the battery and that did not work. Next thing I am trying is changing the pos connection in the switch. If that does not work does anyone know anything else to try other than a new switch?

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

[skargo]

Re: One of two battery not working, battery switch?

Did you follow your cables to battery 2?

 

[boat4fun83]

Re: One of two battery not working, battery switch?

Yea they look good. The ground is connected just like the other side to the rear of the engine and the pos goes straight to the switch. Like I said batt 2 has new connections except the pos inside the switch which I am going to try to replace tomorrow.

 

[PolishPrince]

Re: One of two battery not working, battery switch?

You're right on target, but before you swap the cables on the switch, since you know Batt 1 is good, connect the ground from Batt 2 to the ground post of Batt 1. If Batt 1 is still the only one working - It's a bad switch. If Batt 2 now works then you had a bad ground source or connection for Batt 2. Also make sure that all connections are free of grease, paint, rust, etc. If you have a VOM (Volt-Ohm Meter) check to make sure that what you're using for ground on Batt #2 shows continuity to the neg post. There may be a gasket or some other insulator between where you have it hooked and a "grounded" engine. That's highly unlikey, but you never know what some engneerhad in mind.

 

[donrjuan]

Re: One of two battery not working, battery switch?

Also a Volt Ohm meter could save you some heart ache. Simply select ohm on the meter and test each lead from the switch (I.E. Place the red lead frm the meter on one side of the switch and the black on the other and see if you have continuity when batt #1 or #2 is selected) Good luck