Dual battery set up
Submitted by flexn on Thu, 2012-05-10 20:13
Hi just wondering if anyone can help me with my dual bettery set up.
I had just one battery hooked up, it was charged and worked fine. Then I decided to get another battery and make a dual battery set up. One was a bit flat so I started off the second, after running all day with the switch set to BOTH the battery was still dead flat. I charged it up before I went out the next time, left it on both, and it drained completely leaving only battery number 2 charged. The only thing I can think is how I earthed the first battery.
Can anyone shed some light on this?
The Red is the positve + lead, Grey is negative -
TAPOUT
Posts: 885
Date Joined: 27/01/06
It sounds like battery 1 may
It sounds like battery 1 may need replacing. It may have dropped a couple of cells which means it will charge up but once under load it will drain very quickly. Try load testing it.
just dhu it
Posts: 1081
Date Joined: 14/05/09
check battery
i agree with tapout , sounds like the battery is failing , take it to a battery place and get it load tested
fishy fingers
Posts: 1719
Date Joined: 28/04/07
Use a vsr
once you check your batteries install a VSR (Voltage switching relay) made by BRP it will automatically switch to the battery needing charge without you having to switch after starting therefore keeping both charged but you can switch to one or the other if you need to
flexn
Posts: 232
Date Joined: 19/03/12
where do I get one of these
where do I get one of these and what do they usually cost?
flexn
Posts: 232
Date Joined: 19/03/12
So is it okay to have it
So is it okay to have it earthed the way I do though? Battery 2 negative runs to battery 1 terminal. Then another cable goes from battery 1 to the motor. I want to get a new allrounder battery anyways but want to make sure the way I have it set up is ok.
fishy fingers
Posts: 1719
Date Joined: 28/04/07
yes the earth is fine
you can get a VSR from most chandlers but I got mine from bias on stirling highway
sorry It's a voltage sensing relay not switching!
and it's made by BEP not BRP
about $120
Paul Jackson
Posts: 106
Date Joined: 19/04/09
Three years ago I replaced
Three years ago I replaced both batteries on my boat and took the advise of the battery specialist, who said that the best thing to do was rig up a trickle charger/battery maintance charger and always leave it connected when not using the boat - similiar to what caravaners do.
To date I have always gone out with fully charged batteries and had no issues at all
I would reccomend this setup to anyone - also use proper "Heavy duty marine Battery's"
PS mine are wired exactly as yours
Cheers
Paul J
flexn
Posts: 232
Date Joined: 19/03/12
I wonder if something like
Yeah I think I will definately look at that. I wonder if something like this would work
http://www.biasboating.com.au/product_p/3220.htm
Paul Jackson
Posts: 106
Date Joined: 19/04/09
Not sure where you are
Not sure where you are located - but try your local battery world
I use the one in Midland and they know exactly what they are taking about.
Cheers
Paul J
holth
Posts: 812
Date Joined: 09/10/06
Have always been told never
Have always been told never to run the switch on both batterys. go out on one back in on the other.
strike_zone
Posts: 403
Date Joined: 09/09/10
never run on both
sounds like you need a load test on batt 1 it may be stuffed but as said above never set your switch to both unless its an emergency and niether batt will crank your motor over on there own your outboard charging system is not powerful enough to do both batts at the same time with the exception of the latest big motors
spinksy
Posts: 266
Date Joined: 06/10/10
Been told
Start up on cranking battery, Swich to both when underway,go to 1 to run accessories, back to 2 to start up again.
Rob H
Posts: 5798
Date Joined: 18/01/12
as said above, NEVER run on
as said above, NEVER run on both batteries, not because the alternator isnt big enough (it'll still charge just slower) but as you've found if one is knackered and your on both it will probably suck the other dry as well.
Only ever on both to start if necessary or maybe if you have a electric anchor winch.
Ive seen it more than a couple of times over my years at sea having to pass batteries over the gunnel to boats at sea to get started or using the generator batteries to start main engine.
Trickle chargers are a good thing as well EXCEPT that its possible to mask a problem-ie a battery is on the way out after sitting in the driveway and trickling keeps it up, get in the water anchor up for a few hours then it wont start.
If you cant pull star your outboard-dual batterys for sure!
Incidentally for a laugh a mate and I tried to pull start my 115 yam, couldnt do it. Maybe though, as with the "terrified man/bucket" syndrome it'll work the same with a "pull start/drifting into the breakers" syndrome
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.