Batt Selector & Seacock question?

[SeacretSailor]

My brain must be frozen (so forgive me) because I know there must be a simple answer that I'm not seeing.... My sailboat has 2 battery, a deep-cycle and a cranking battery, connected to a "1-2-All-Off" battery selector switch, and both batteries are wired into a battery voltage meter on my Nav Desk. So I can read the voltage of each batt seaparately.

Question #1:
If you have forgotten which battery is connected to switch 1 and to switch 2, what's an easy way to check if your house battery is Batt #1 or if your cranking battery is Batt #1? I know I can pull both batteries out and check my switch, but the back of it is monuted behind both batts.

Question #2:
I was checking my seacocks and notice that they all have that greenish patina that bronze gets. I'm in the deep humid south in Mandeville, Louisiana. Is this greenish junk OK, should I clean them so they don't freeze, is it harmless? If not, what could I spray on or wipe on to prevent it?

Thanks guys,
Kevin B.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

1. Disconnecting one pos terminal at the battery will be apparent on your voltmeter selected for each battery.
2. green is good; pink or white isn't

 

[Joe]

Watch your lamps when you flip the switch....

Leave the green patina on the bronze... it's protective.

 

[RichH]

As Don stated temporarily disconnecting one lead on one battery at the positive terminal will determine which battery is which.

The "Green" on bronze is a formation of 'verdigris', a complex formation of copper acetate and copper oxide. In the short-term it is harmless when on the surface of the valve; long-term (decades) it is considered to be a chemical erosion of the surface. If you want to (harmlessly) clean it off, soak it long term with citric acid (lemon juice is a dilute form of citric acid), then mechanically scrub. Best is to 'Leave it alone'.

 

[zeehag]

just lube'em and they are fine. green is good, remember?? just ask algore lol.........yer on yer own with the batts lol (what joe sed).....