Main Power switch

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Phil P

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Jan 6, 2012
62
Hunter Legend 375 Rye, NY
I'm a new owner of a '91 Legend 375. Though I actually have the original owner's manual, it's pretty thin gruel. Does anyone know with certainty which battery bank is controlled by the main power switch when it it pointed to 1 vs. 2? I assume that 1 is the starter battery and 2 is the house bank?

Thanks!
 
Don S/V ILLusion

Don S/V ILLusion

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Sep 25, 2008
7,464
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
The manual can be useless with an older boat on which a previous owner may have changed something. Similarly, another 37.5 may have undergone different changes than yours so comparisons are irrelevant. You should really determine this for yourself to be sure which is which.
 
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Phil P

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Jan 6, 2012
62
Hunter Legend 375 Rye, NY
I do understand that, thanks, but would still like to know what "normal" is.
 
FourPoints

FourPoints

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Apr 8, 2010
1,606
Frers 33 41426 Westport, CT
What he's saying is that an older boat like that is likley to have had many modifications since it was new, and therefore the original manual is probably not accurate, and you should trace the wires out to determine for yourself what is what instead of trusting a 21 year old wireing diagram.

sorry, read too quick, thought you said you "don't" understand what he meant...
 
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Phil P

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Jan 6, 2012
62
Hunter Legend 375 Rye, NY
The owner's manual in any event is absolutely silent on operation of the power switch except to advise never to turn it to off when under power (as it would destroy the alternator) and turn it to "both" to start. Beyond that the #1 vs #2 is not explained. I would bet that every Hunter boat is the same in this one regard. Which bank do they control on yours?
 
FourPoints

FourPoints

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Apr 8, 2010
1,606
Frers 33 41426 Westport, CT
Boats are not like cars, no two boats are ever built exactly the same as many of the components are built by hand, and the older the boat the more custom each boat gets through either less defined procedures by the builder, or previous owner modification over the years. It would be much more accurate to compate boats to houses. Even two houses built to the same set of plans will be slightly different when you start to check all the measurements and wires.

My Hunter did not come with any battery switch, everything was hard wired to the batteries, so I can say with certainty that they are not all the same.

I added my own, you can see how I did it here: http://sailingit.com/blog/boat-projects/battery-switch-and-electrical-distribution

As for yours, if your panel has a volt meter to measure the different battery banks, the bank number on the meter is probably the same as the number on the battery switch, and you can also take a multimeter and test the different banks with the switch in the off position (they will probably read slightly different), and then turn the switch to 1 or 2, and then measure the voltage at a 12v outlet or the back of your panel to compare against the different bank voltages to see which one is connected.
 
Ron McCoy

Ron McCoy

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Oct 10, 2008
277
Catalina 445 Yorktown
Phil, Try an easy test. Put the master switch on #1 and attempt to start the engine. If the engine starts, then #1 is the starter battery. It the engine willl only start when the master switch is on #2, then it's the start battery. Once you determine the start side, the other is the house battery. Having said this, many late model Hunters have a combiner solenoid (inside the enclosed panel) that combine both house & start batteries when the ignition key is turned from "on" to the "start" position. This is the only time the start & house batteries are combined (so you can always start the diesel). After the key returns to the on position, the batteries are isolated from one another. Hope this helps.
 
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Steve Dion

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Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
Phil:

There is not a right way/wrong way on this subject. When I purchased my new battery charger they wanted the house bank on "1" and the starter battery on "2". This was the opposite that it was when I purchased the boat.

I would put your switch to the off position. Then I would remove the cable to the starting battery (probably a single battery). Move the selector to "1", try starting the engine. If it does not start that is probably your starting battery. If it does start, kill the engine, move the switch to "2" and try starting again.......
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

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Feb 26, 2004
23,066
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Phil, you could do what Steve suggest without trying to start the engine. Turn a light on down below and play at the back of the switch.

I think what these gentlemen are trying to tell you is that "it just doesn't matter" what it used to be, may have been, could be, would be, or should be. It's what you now have in front of you that you can work with.

If you have more questions about the wiring, specifically, Maine Sail did a great tutorial on it. If you need the link, let us know.
 
Bill Roosa

Bill Roosa

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Jun 6, 2006
6,990
currently boatless wishing Harrington Harbor North, MD
I think you will find the boat will start on either 1 or 2 since all you are doing is selecting which battery bank to use to power the starter.
Unless you can trace the wires from the front you will have to pull the switch and then trace the wires. Perhaps a mirror would help?
I don't believe I've ever seen any ruling on the naming of banks. It is kinda a non issue as it does not really matter as long as they are separated.
 
Tally Ho

Tally Ho

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Jan 7, 2011
5,667
Oday 322 East Chicago, IN
Bill Roosa said:
I think you will find the boat will start on either 1 or 2 since all you are doing is selecting which battery bank to use to power the starter.
Unless you can trace the wires from the front you will have to pull the switch and then trace the wires. Perhaps a mirror would help?
I don't believe I've ever seen any ruling on the naming of banks. It is kinda a non issue as it does not really matter as long as they are separated.
Click to expand
I think it does matter... On my H280, I have a starting battery and a deep cycle house battery. I certainly wanted to know which battery was which on the switch. I did as an earlier post suggested..... Remove one battery cable, checked to see if the cabin lights worked on what switch setting.

Greg
 
FourPoints

FourPoints

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Apr 8, 2010
1,606
Frers 33 41426 Westport, CT
Tanqueray said:
I think it does matter... On my H280, I have a starting battery and a deep cycle house battery. I certainly wanted to know which battery was which on the switch. I did as an earlier post suggested..... Remove one battery cable, checked to see if the cabin lights worked on what switch setting.

Greg
Click to expand
Nearly any deep cycle battery will also start a small auxiliary...
 
Tally Ho

Tally Ho

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Jan 7, 2011
5,667
Oday 322 East Chicago, IN
FourPoints said:
Nearly any deep cycle battery will also start a small auxiliary...
Click to expand
Yes, but I would not want to use my starter battery all day for my house power drain.

Greg
 
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Phil P

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Jan 6, 2012
62
Hunter Legend 375 Rye, NY
Thank you Greg. You get it. That is my point exactly. Cruising around I want the switch on the two six volt batteries (obviously) to save the 12 volt for starting and emergencies. I'm betting most people have no idea and have just been lucky.
 
FourPoints

FourPoints

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Apr 8, 2010
1,606
Frers 33 41426 Westport, CT
Tanqueray said:
Yes, but I would not want to use my starter battery all day for my house power drain.

Greg
Click to expand
Correct, I was pointing out that test was flawed
 
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