A few dumb questions about battery systems????

[confused1234]

I am new to owning my own boat,I just got a used Champion Bay Champ and in the battery compartment it has three batteries. 1.The battery switch has off on the left and right sides and a 1 on the bottom and (ON) on the top of the switch, what selection should it be on? 2.Should I turn it to the off position after I charge the batteries while the boat is in storage and then turn it to the on position when boat is in use? What position should it be on when I am charging the batteries? When I got the boat it was in the (1) position and everything worked except the trim tabs, when I put the switch on (ON) everything works.

Thank you for your help.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: A few dumb questions about battery systems????

Your going to have to trace out the wires and see where they go.
For now id just use on, its probably use all the batts and one uses just one.

If you charge them individually you can put it in off.
I use off when the boat is not in the water and for storage.

 

[confused1234]

Re: A few dumb questions about battery systems????

I will turn it to (OFF) When not in use, after charge is complete. I would like to trace all wires under the console but it is like a big pile of spaghetti! I was just wondering if it is safe to leave it on (ON)? He actually has four batteries under the console but one is not hooked up.

 

[fish_on_the_deck]

Re: A few dumb questions about battery systems????

I will turn it to (OFF) When not in use, after charge is complete. I would like to trace all wires under the console but it is like a big pile of spaghetti! I was just wondering if it is safe to leave it on (ON)? He actually has four batteries under the console but one is not hooked up.

Its safe to leave it (ON) but will drain your batteries eventually... I'd just turn it off.

the mess of spaghetti wiring is unfortunatly very common and a huge PITA. But... if you ever want to really understand your boat's electrical youre going to have to wort it out. I'd get some of these:

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...chanintel_google&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=35678 (but way overpriced... of course. check iboats orjamestown or somone)

And a bag of zip ties, and a pen, paper and clear tape, and a multimeter. Start identifying each wire and where it goes then label it and organize it with the zip ties. You might even find that many are abandoned and can get rid of a bunch of it... I'd like to see a "before" pic on this one.

Oh yeah... one more important tool... a case of beer... might slow you down if you use it too much, but it should make the experiance a little more tolerable