..is the starting battery isolated? Do I need it turned off to avoid drain down? Will be leaving wife on boat for a couple of weeks at an island cove, and I'm supposted to know this stuff. Help me not look dumb (big task). Rick D.
40.5 Battery Question...
- Thread starter Rick D
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Is there an isolator?
If you don't have an isolator installed, then leave the battery selector switch on "house" (usually #2). Switch to #1 to start and then switch to "Both" while charging. After charging then switch back to #2. This is all assuming that you will be starting the engine to charge the batteries. If you have another source for charging your batteries, then, I beleive, the steps change and someone else may be able to help you. Without and isolator, and the switch on "Both", the stronger bank will trickle into the weaker bank until they are even. Good Luck.
If you don't have an isolator installed, then leave the battery selector switch on "house" (usually #2). Switch to #1 to start and then switch to "Both" while charging. After charging then switch back to #2. This is all assuming that you will be starting the engine to charge the batteries. If you have another source for charging your batteries, then, I beleive, the steps change and someone else may be able to help you. Without and isolator, and the switch on "Both", the stronger bank will trickle into the weaker bank until they are even. Good Luck.
SIMPLE WAY
HI RICK. I LIKE YOU HAVE TWO BATTERY BANKS. ONE, THE HEAVIEST, STRONGEST ONE IS USED FOR THE HOUSE,IE, LIGHTS, REFRIG, RADIO, TV, ETC. THE OTHER BANK IS KEPT IN RESERVE FOR STARTING. SIMPLY PUT YOUR BATTERY SWITCH ON THE BANK USED FOR THE HOUSE AND THE STARTING BANK IS EFFECTIVELY ISOLATED. RUN THE ENGINE EVERYDAY TO CHARGE AND MAKE HOT WATER AND YOU ARE IN BUISNESS. THE TRICK IS TO KNOW HOW LONG AND AT WHAT RPM TO RUN THE ENGINE. THIS YOU WILL LEARN FROM TRIAL AND ERROR. GOOD LUCK. PS. WHEN ARE YOU GOING.
HI RICK. I LIKE YOU HAVE TWO BATTERY BANKS. ONE, THE HEAVIEST, STRONGEST ONE IS USED FOR THE HOUSE,IE, LIGHTS, REFRIG, RADIO, TV, ETC. THE OTHER BANK IS KEPT IN RESERVE FOR STARTING. SIMPLY PUT YOUR BATTERY SWITCH ON THE BANK USED FOR THE HOUSE AND THE STARTING BANK IS EFFECTIVELY ISOLATED. RUN THE ENGINE EVERYDAY TO CHARGE AND MAKE HOT WATER AND YOU ARE IN BUISNESS. THE TRICK IS TO KNOW HOW LONG AND AT WHAT RPM TO RUN THE ENGINE. THIS YOU WILL LEARN FROM TRIAL AND ERROR. GOOD LUCK. PS. WHEN ARE YOU GOING.
Battery Isolation
On my 97 40.5, in fwd part of the engine compartment, there is a 12 VDC solenoid that is energized when the engine is running (charging). It connects the alternator output to the house batteries disconnect switch. Early 40.5s may use an isolator here. Either way, the engine battery will not supply power to the house loads and should not drain down. If your system does not have dual house batteries connected to an AB disconnect switch, I recommend added the $20 switch for house battery management. If one house battery drains to 50%, then switch to the other house battery and MANAGE your loads to prevent excessive discharge (use an oil lamp for light, run fridge and freezer only when engine is running, ect.)that way you should always have enough juice for the VHF and running lights in the OFFLINE house battery.
On my 97 40.5, in fwd part of the engine compartment, there is a 12 VDC solenoid that is energized when the engine is running (charging). It connects the alternator output to the house batteries disconnect switch. Early 40.5s may use an isolator here. Either way, the engine battery will not supply power to the house loads and should not drain down. If your system does not have dual house batteries connected to an AB disconnect switch, I recommend added the $20 switch for house battery management. If one house battery drains to 50%, then switch to the other house battery and MANAGE your loads to prevent excessive discharge (use an oil lamp for light, run fridge and freezer only when engine is running, ect.)that way you should always have enough juice for the VHF and running lights in the OFFLINE house battery.
That's It, Mickey & Cherones..
..it must have a solenoid to enable the starter battery only when the engine is running or starter activated. Just don't know. Three battery banks. Two house to a three position switch and one starting with its own on/off switch. Figured there had to be some kind of isolation of the house from the starting. Just didn't know if it was auto or manual. I'll get this thing figured out yet! Cherones: MD to Cat Harbor 4/15 and through the 24th (Easter weekend). We are at the Capitol now; be back Thursday. Rick D.
..it must have a solenoid to enable the starter battery only when the engine is running or starter activated. Just don't know. Three battery banks. Two house to a three position switch and one starting with its own on/off switch. Figured there had to be some kind of isolation of the house from the starting. Just didn't know if it was auto or manual. I'll get this thing figured out yet! Cherones: MD to Cat Harbor 4/15 and through the 24th (Easter weekend). We are at the Capitol now; be back Thursday. Rick D.
Cat Harbor Cruise
Rick..planning on going on 4/14-4/16 and then again 4/21-4/23 for Outlaw Easter Cruise. Looks like we'll see you there if the weather holds. See you soon.
Rick..planning on going on 4/14-4/16 and then again 4/21-4/23 for Outlaw Easter Cruise. Looks like we'll see you there if the weather holds. See you soon.
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