2 voltmeters, 2 motors, 2 batteries wiring??

[derooster]

Sorry about multiple posts ... I can seem to get the right forum DOH!

How should I wire this so I can get a reading from both engines?

Twin 1990 Johnson 70's.
One starter Battery
One Deep Cycle Accessory Batteries
Battery switch OFF-1-BOTH-2


I put a new floor in the boat and now one of the Voltmeters is not working. I want to understand how it should be wired or what wiring set-up will give the most information at any given time. I understand what a voltmeter does and how to wire one , but I cannot find anything

Also My Horns are falling apart .. I cannot seen to find just that part anywhere. Would there be any issues if I wired those as a couple of idiot lights instead? colors go where?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 2 voltmeters, 2 motors, 2 batteries wiring??

Question 1: In one breath you are talking about horns falling apart, can't find the part, and then you want to wire idiot lights. Idiot lights for what and why? What about the horn(s).

Question 2: Do you intend to start both engines from the starting battery and run accessories from the deep cycle? If so, you are asking for trouble. It is not recommended to have two alternators feeding one battery at the same time. It is also bad news to run an engine with the battery disconnected. So what's your plan with this.

Question 3: On one hand you say you know what a voltmeter does and how to wire one but then you say you want it to show you the most information but can't find anything. A volt meter measures voltage. You either have some or you don't. More then 12.6 volts the battery is charging. Less than that it isn't. That's the most information you can get out of a voltmeter. In a two battery system you can use two voltmeters, one wired to each battery, or you can use one voltmeter with a simple switch to flip from one battery to the other.

Question 4: What are the plans for the dual battery switch. (See question #2)

 

[derooster]

Re: 2 voltmeters, 2 motors, 2 batteries wiring??

#1. The Horns or the beeper buzzer for the alarms (high temp, low oil). I was thinking of just removing them and routing the appropriate wires to an idiot light in the dash. The plugs for the wires are falling out on it. Both still work but for how long?


#2 & 3 That is how I have been doing it. Actually I put the switch on both while running. It is apparent I have no clue how the charging system of my boat is wired. It is set up the way it was from the factory. Is it possible they wired one motor to each battery to avoid the two charging together? I have no idea how Bayrunner wired up their boats in 1990. I would hope they at least set it up so it can be run correctly.

?In a two battery system you can use two voltmeters, one wired to each battery, or you can use one voltmeter with a simple switch to flip from one battery to the other.? This kinda answers my question. I have been reading this site and from what I gather a Volt meter really only tells you if your engine is charging. That being said, why have two? I was thinking I was missing something. One volt meter will tell me if both motors are charging (one at time of coarse) but that is all the information I need.

If they wired one motor and volt meter to each battery, each volt meter would tell me if that motor was charging ?.

#4 I need to figure out how the thing is set-up first. Right now all I know is 2 batteries, 2 motors, 2 voltmeters and one switch.

Do you know how they set up their systems back in 1990? Some hints might help me when tracing out the wires ? at least I would know what to be looking for.

Sincerely
CLUELESS 

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 2 voltmeters, 2 motors, 2 batteries wiring??

I really feel this is not a factory setup but since I can't see it I have no clue what that setup is. A standard dual battery switch is not intended for use with two engines and two batteries. It is for use with one engine and two batteries. But then someone may have come up with a "creative" way of using the thing -- most likely incorrectly.

As for idiot lights for the warning horn that can be done but it is likely beyond your capability and besides, you said the existing system works. Use zip ties to the keep the plug together if that's an issue.

Sorry, but based on what little information you have provided there isn't much we can recommend except for the following.

Get rid of the switch. Connect one engine to one battery and the other engine to the other battery. Connect each voltmeter to the respective battery. The only use I see for the switch you have is to combine the two batteries so either engine could be started from either battery should the need arise. But that would leave the BAT 1 and BAT 2 positions useless. There are much simpler and cheaper switches to accomplish that function.

 

[derooster]

Re: 2 voltmeters, 2 motors, 2 batteries wiring??

What is the factory set-up for two motors?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 2 voltmeters, 2 motors, 2 batteries wiring??

What I just described but without the switch. You cannot have two voltage regulators trying to regulate the electrical system. Yamaha does not recommend this. You can certainly use the switch with two batteries connected to one motor which is what the switch is designed for. But you should have a separate battery for the other engine. Or two batteries and a separate switch for that engine if you like. There are other more sophisticated systems available for larger boats with much more electrical demand but for a twin outboard system a separate battery for each engine and a set of jumper cables is all you need. Plus you have a very simple system with far fewer potential points of failure.