When batt charger is ON, how the switches should

Marcio Bodnariuc

Oct 22, 2003

When the battery charger is ON, does the battery switches has to be on OFF ?What would happen if left on BOTH ?

Gary Wyngarden

Oct 22, 2003

Depends

Hi Marcio,It depends on how your charger is wired. On our boat the battery charger is wired directly to the battery terminals, bypassing the switch. Hence it doesn't matter where the switch is set, the charger will replenish all three batteries in our system.The alternator on the other hand is wired through the switch. Consequently, when the engine is running it will only charge the battery (ies) determined by the switch.Following the connections from your charger back to the switch and the batteries should give you the answer. Hope this helps.Gary WyngardenS/V Shibumi H335

Steve Dion

.

Oct 22, 2003

Ditto here.

Marcio:Our '85 Hunter 31' is wired like Gary's. Regardless of how you leave the battery switch, the batteries get charged from shore power. This is my preferred wiring method. Some sailors have reported that theirs are wired through the switch, so you need to check to be sure.