I just installed a new battery in our Hunter 37.5 and notice that the way the three batteries are set up,i.e. wired together, may be incorrect. There are two house batteries(group 24) and a starting battery(group 27)I think this is the way it is currently set up, the charger is connected to the selector, the selector is connected to the first house battery and the second house battery and starting battery are connected to the first house battery. That seemed to be wrong so I checked the selector to see what happens to the voltmeter when I disconnect the starting battery in the 1 and 2 positions. No change in voltage confirmed the all the batteries are connected together. Therefore the selector doesn't seem to have any function. This isn't right is it?
Battery set up
- Thread starter texastom
- Start date
- Status
no
Sound like you have two issues: The first being that you added a new battery to older ones which will draw down the new battery to the capacity (presumably lower capacity) of the older one(s) to which it is attached. All batteries connected together should be similar. Second, your description sounds like you have only one bank consisting of three batteries. The two banks (if that's what you are attempting to create) should be isolated from each other by the switch or better yet completely isolated with one starting battery for the engine and the other batteries isolated as a house bank with a cross-over switch for emergencies. You might also consider a multi-bank charger and a battery combiner, a better description of which can be found in most any good marine electrical book.Don
Sound like you have two issues: The first being that you added a new battery to older ones which will draw down the new battery to the capacity (presumably lower capacity) of the older one(s) to which it is attached. All batteries connected together should be similar. Second, your description sounds like you have only one bank consisting of three batteries. The two banks (if that's what you are attempting to create) should be isolated from each other by the switch or better yet completely isolated with one starting battery for the engine and the other batteries isolated as a house bank with a cross-over switch for emergencies. You might also consider a multi-bank charger and a battery combiner, a better description of which can be found in most any good marine electrical book.Don
Thanks Don
Thanks Don, I had the 2 older batteries checked as they seemed to be fairly new and they checked out okay so that is why I only purchase 1 battery. All the batteries are wet cells and the battery I refered to as a starting battery is an ACDelco Voyager which I believe is not truly just a starting battery. I would like to have it set up so that one battery is just for starting so I guess I'm off to the store to buy a book on boat electrical systems. Any suggestions?
Thanks Don, I had the 2 older batteries checked as they seemed to be fairly new and they checked out okay so that is why I only purchase 1 battery. All the batteries are wet cells and the battery I refered to as a starting battery is an ACDelco Voyager which I believe is not truly just a starting battery. I would like to have it set up so that one battery is just for starting so I guess I'm off to the store to buy a book on boat electrical systems. Any suggestions?
try this link
You can try this for a start before spending mopney on a book. It might give you all the info you need. GL Don
You can try this for a start before spending mopney on a book. It might give you all the info you need. GL Don
Wiring
tex, Don's right, the Ample Power Primer is what you want. Another inexpensive source is a West Marine Catalog - they're free, or go on their website. Also try the following link to our C34 website, with electrical articles and wiring diagrams. Scroll down to the index, Electrical System Upgrades. All you're trying to do is to add a separate starting battery. Like, millions of people have done this, but none of them, unless they're skilled electricians, have ever done it without some planning, research, homework and wiring diagrams, which include figuring out what you have installed to start off with. Stu
tex, Don's right, the Ample Power Primer is what you want. Another inexpensive source is a West Marine Catalog - they're free, or go on their website. Also try the following link to our C34 website, with electrical articles and wiring diagrams. Scroll down to the index, Electrical System Upgrades. All you're trying to do is to add a separate starting battery. Like, millions of people have done this, but none of them, unless they're skilled electricians, have ever done it without some planning, research, homework and wiring diagrams, which include figuring out what you have installed to start off with. Stu
ACR
Once you figure out what you really have, would suggest you install an "automatic combining relay". Several months ago I installed the new Blue Sea ACR ($80) advetised in West Marine's catalog and haven't touched a battery switch since. Works just as advertised and not that hard to install. Highly suggest this, or something like it.
Once you figure out what you really have, would suggest you install an "automatic combining relay". Several months ago I installed the new Blue Sea ACR ($80) advetised in West Marine's catalog and haven't touched a battery switch since. Works just as advertised and not that hard to install. Highly suggest this, or something like it.
- Status