Dual Battery Switch Usage After Each Outing

[sivs1]

So quick question, when you pull the boat out of the water or on the lift after each outing do you do anything with the battery switch?

[aerolland]

More often than not I leave it on 1+2 setting, however, I have noticed I have a parasitic draw somewhere and after about 2 weeks it will drain the batteries. That said, I usually have my on board charger plugged in as well. I have been getting in the habit of turning the Perko switch to off if I know I'm not going to plug the charger in for a while.

[moombahighrider]

I was told with the newer boats to never use 1+2 setting. It was suggested to use 1 on a trip, then 2 on the next and continue to switch per trip. I realize it's a bit different for you guys with a lift, but I think the same rule could apply. Leave it on 1 and then change to 2 when you jump in the boat for the next outing.

I turn the switch to off when I pull the boat out of the water.

[5:00]

I do the same thing as moombahghrider. I alternate between 1 & 2 day by day. I turn it off at the end of the day then switch to the other battery the next day then off again when I leave it for the week. I just don't want to arrive at a boat with no battery power left.

[Stazi]

I turn mine off too as I have also noticed a parasitic draw somewhere - which I believe is from the screen as it looks like it stays on , albeit extremely faintly.


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[gregski]

I would definitely recommend that you do not leave it on 1+2 for extended periods. No two batteries are identical, leaving them connected together will cause a parasitic draw from one to the other. This may be minor but could be significant enough to be an issue over the long term. This becomes critical when a battery reaches the end of its life (typically 3-5 years). The dying battery will rather quickly drain the good one and leave you without enough battery to start. (The best case scenario is using two identical batteries of the exact same age. This is also why all electronic devices instruct you not to mix batteries types or old/new). Before I installed an ACR, I would always switch to 1+2 for the day of use and then to off at the end. (1+2 is good during use so that both batteries can charge).

[kaneboats]

I leave mine on so I don't have to reset the head unit from "demo" mode every week. When I charge (rarely) I open the #1 battery case and charge it overnight, then switch to 1 & 2 and charge overnight again, then flip back to #1.

[rdlangston13]

I turn mine off after every outing and run it on 2 while
I'm out reserving 1 for a back up. I guess I should run it on 1 today to make sure it will start the boat


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[KnoxMojo]

Fairly certain that the alt will charge both batteries as needed no matter if the switch is on 1, 2 or both. I always switch mine to off and about once a week or so plug in my onboard charger for maintenance. As for which battery to run, no idea, don't have any set pattern, just however I feel like flipping the switch.

[IndyMobius]

I switch them both off every time I put it in the lift when done. When going out, I run it from 1 + 2 until I anchor to hang out, then I switch to one or the other while anchored and running the radio etc. to keep my house and starter batteries isolated. When done hanging out, I switch back to 1 + 2 so I can charge them both up before putting back up in the lift.

From what I've read, having it on 1 + 2 charges both equally from the alternator when the engine is running, and the entire point is to isolate a house battery and starting battery in periods of running solely off of a battery for a long time right?

Maybe that is all wrong, and I'm admittedly still a bit new at this, but has worked well for me thus far.

[sivs1]

I switch them both off every time I put it in the lift when done. When going out, I run it from 1 + 2 until I anchor to hang out, then I switch to one or the other while anchored and running the radio etc. to keep my house and starter batteries isolated. When done hanging out, I switch back to 1 + 2 so I can charge them both up before putting back up in the lift.

From what I've read, having it on 1 + 2 charges both equally from the alternator when the engine is running, and the entire point is to isolate a house battery and starting battery in periods of running solely off of a battery for a long time right?

Maybe that is all wrong, and I'm admittedly still a bit new at this, but has worked well for me thus far.

This is what I do as well. I have a Starting Battery set to 1 and then a deep cycle set to 2.

[RC_Hinojosa]

This may not apply in all cases but I think with the electronics in the newer boats, it's not actually recommended to run in "1 + 2" mode unless it's an emergency....

Excerpt from the '17 Owner's Manual:

Skier’s Choice installs a 4-position battery switch on any boat equipped with dual batteries. It is recommended that both batteries
be fully charged between each use to insure they can deliver the electrical demands required for each outing. The purpose of our
recommendation is to utilize one primary battery for all operational needs, and have the other as a backup if the primary battery
discharges. This situation could occur if you run your accessories such as ballast or stereo for a long time, without running the
boat. The dual battery setup is designed to create a redundant system allowing the user to have a backup battery. The switch
must be in the “1” or “2” position to create the redundancy.

The 4 positions available on the battery switch are: Off / 1 / 2 / 1&2. These choices indicate which battery is being used to power
the boat and which battery is being charged by the engine’s alternator. We recommend using only position 1 or 2 while boating.
Battery switch position “1&2” is available but not recommended as power will be drawn from both batteries and the alternator
will have difficulties keeping both batteries charged simultaneously. It also creates a ground differentiation which in turn will
create issues with sensitive electrical components such as the Vision screen. The only time you may need Position 1 &
2 would be in an emergency situation where both batteries are low and need power from both to help start the engine.

[IndyMobius]

This may not apply in all cases but I think with the electronics in the newer boats, it's not actually recommended to run in "1 + 2" mode unless it's an emergency....

Excerpt from the '17 Owner's Manual:

Skier’s Choice installs a 4-position battery switch on any boat equipped with dual batteries. It is recommended that both batteries
be fully charged between each use to insure they can deliver the electrical demands required for each outing. The purpose of our
recommendation is to utilize one primary battery for all operational needs, and have the other as a backup if the primary battery
discharges. This situation could occur if you run your accessories such as ballast or stereo for a long time, without running the
boat. The dual battery setup is designed to create a redundant system allowing the user to have a backup battery. The switch
must be in the “1” or “2” position to create the redundancy.

The 4 positions available on the battery switch are: Off / 1 / 2 / 1&2. These choices indicate which battery is being used to power
the boat and which battery is being charged by the engine’s alternator. We recommend using only position 1 or 2 while boating.
Battery switch position “1&2” is available but not recommended as power will be drawn from both batteries and the alternator
will have difficulties keeping both batteries charged simultaneously. It also creates a ground differentiation which in turn will
create issues with sensitive electrical components such as the Vision screen. The only time you may need Position 1 &
2 would be in an emergency situation where both batteries are low and need power from both to help start the engine.

Well darn...any reason to think why this also wouldn't apply on older models?

[RC_Hinojosa]

Well darn...any reason to think why this also wouldn't apply on older models?I think the bit about the alternator struggling to keep both batteries charged would be applicable on older models...just not the piece on sensitive electronics.

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[IndyMobius]

I think the bit about the alternator struggling to keep both batteries charged would be applicable on older models...just not the piece on sensitive electronics.

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You mean my analog gauges aren't sensitive? :)

Yeah I would agree. Was out tonight and left it on the same battery the entire time. Still shut them all off when back at the lift though...

[KG's Supra24]

Fairly certain that the alt will charge both batteries as needed no matter if the switch is on 1, 2 or both. I always switch mine to off and about once a week or so plug in my onboard charger for maintenance. As for which battery to run, no idea, don't have any set pattern, just however I feel like flipping the switch.

This is essentially us. My bilge is wired direct to battery. If not, I'd leave it on 1 or 2 if it was in the water or exposed to rain.

If we are going to be anchored for a period of time I'll make sure I'm using the bank built for the stereo. 2 6v.

As to the poll question ... if you are leaving it on 1 and 2 when stored, you are not utilizing the purpose of the switch.

[BrettLee3232]

I turn them completely off after every outing and always charge them with my dual bank charger every time. That was the recommendation of both the stereo installer & battery manufacturer.

I usually run it on 2 which is my big stereo battery. If it for some reason drains out I can switch to 1 and still be able to start it.

Sometimes I run on 1 just to use the battery a little bit. When ever anchored or moored and listening to stereo it's on 2. I never have them on 1+2. I also never charge it with the switch on 1 or 2 always in the off position.

I've never had to reset my stereo settings or anything like that.


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[trayson]

I guess I'm lazy. I have two Walmart Everstart Maxx group 29 batteries on bank 1. That's what my switch is set to and what I tend to leave the switch on. I have another single Walmart Everstart Maxx group 29 battery as my 'backup' that really doesn't see much use.

I have a prosport dual bank 20amp charger that I plug in once the boat is parked in the carport. (I used to use the cheap harbor freight float chargers, but finally stepped up to the more powerful prosport.)

[stevemarich]

I do the same a Brett except I use bank 1 for everything and 2 for back up starting, one nice thing about the fusion is nothing seems to reset when batteries are off, just turn switch on and go

[rdlangston13]

We discovered an interesting thing this weekend in regards to our dual battery switch. We have always run battery 2, well I decided to run battery one just to make sure it works. I selected battery one and went to start the engine and it cranked for like 5-6 seconds before starting. Crank speed was normal, it just didn't want to start. The rest of the day it ran fine, no problem. The next day I went back to battery two and it again, cranked for 5-6 seconds before starting. All subsequent starts were normal until I swapped it back to battery one, then it took 5-6 seconds to start. I am totally clueless on this lol


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[Surf Wagon]

Mine has done this ^^^ on our last 3 outings. At the end of the 3rd day it took even longer to start. Threw 3 fuel pressure codes and had to idle it back to the dock. Back to the shop [emoji24]

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[Surf Wagon]

Mine has done this ^^^^ on the last 3 outings. After a few hours of surfing we headed to the cove for refreshments. Took even longer to start and threw 3 fuel pressure codes. Had to idle it back to the dock.

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[Surf Wagon]

Sorry noob

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