Battery/Battery switches

[webegonebeachin]

I have a Bayliner 2550 with dual battries and a switch.Does the onboard charger and or the alternator charge the battries all the time?? Does the switch have to be on "ALL" for both battries to charge?? If its on #1,does the other battery not get a charge?? Many questions,no answers. Thanx

 

[vipzach]

Re: Battery/Battery switches

The "all" should charge both batteries when the boat is running, if it is the 1 position it will not charge the other battery. That is the point of the switch, so that when you are sitting somewhere or trolling you don't kill the starting battery. You just have to remember to switch it after the boat is started or turned off. <br />The onboard charger will depend on what kind it is and how it is wired up.

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Battery/Battery switches

Depends how it is wired.<br /><br />Usually the on-board charger bypasses the switch and is hooked up to batteries directly. If it is a dual bank charger you'll see leads going directly to each battery. If it is a single bank charger, it may only go to one battery in which case only one battery will be charged unless you put the battery switch in the "all" position.<br /><br />The Alternator will charge depending on the position of the switch. If it is in the "1" position, battery "1" gets charged. If in position "2" then only batter "2" and finally, if in the "all" position they both get charged.

 

[webegonebeachin]

Re: Battery/Battery switches

Thanx for the info!! Better to ask than be dead!!

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: Battery/Battery switches

Check out the FAQ<br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=36;t=000021 <br /><br />It shows some nice wiring diagrams..that should help you determine how ti all works...<br /><br />-JustMrWill

 

[cuzner]

Re: Battery/Battery switches

If your charger is a 2 bank charger, it will charge both... doesn't matter where the switch is. You can easily tell, if you have + and - wires going to both batteries( 4 wires all together). <br /> Jim

 

[JB]

Re: Battery/Battery switches

Moving to Electrics

 

[Boatist]

Re: Battery/Battery switches

I think battery switches are the number one killer of alternators. With the motor running turning thru off will blow your alternator. Also if the switch is not a MAKE before BREAK then tunring at all with the motor running will blow the alternator.<br /><br />Best Switch has a alternator field disconnect circuit, is make before break and has at least double the amps your starter needs. Still it must be wired correctly to protect your alternator.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Battery/Battery switches

And some battery switches have a diode terminal that the charger connects to that will charge the battery even if the switch is "off". It all depends on what you have on your boat.

 

[NateCCIE]

Re: Battery/Battery switches

What is a alternator field disconnect circuit? I've seen it listed as an option for Perkos but no one has been able to tell me what it's all about.

 

[chuckz]

Re: Battery/Battery switches

An alternator only has an output when the field is energized. The alternator output is controlled by controlling the field. By having a field disconnect built into the switch the alternator output is turned off before the battery is disconnected. The field is not turned back on until a battery is reconnected. This prevents the alternator output from going to a very high voltage (>70 volts) when the battery is disconnected.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Battery/Battery switches

I agree with Chuck except for his 70 Volts it can be 1000 vots or more. It goes up until all the diodes in the alternator are blown when you have no battery load. <br /><br />If the field winding of the alternator is disconnected then it will not charge and blow diodes. However for the field disconnect winding to be disconnected it must be wired correctly. On alternators with internal regulators this is not a easy task.

 

[Peter J Fraser]

Re: Battery/Battery switches

Listen to what boatist says as he is on the right track.<br />Those rotary switches are bad news if used incorrectly.<br />Have a look at the switch setup I have installed on my boat.<br />Follow the link at the bottom of my post.<br />Expensive? maybe but so is a blown alternator or battery or worse, life threatening.<br />Mine is completely automatic in operation.<br />I only have to turn on the house and start switches and go fishing.<br /><br />Good luck.<br /><br />Peter