Batteries - should I alternate using 1 and 2?

[Thales14]

Is it best to use battery 1 for a while and then on other days use battery 2?
It occurs to me that it may be good to do that to keep battery 2 from running down after an extended period of inactivity.

 

[jmarty10]

Re: Batteries - should I alternate using 1 and 2?

Get yourself a dual battery switch. If you already invested in two batteries now is the time to get the switch. There are good posts here on how to wire it which dont seem to be that complicated. You can switch to each battery when ever you want and if you listen to the radio on the boat when your docked or at anchor its a great thing to have.

 

[Jlawsen]

Re: Batteries - should I alternate using 1 and 2?

A battery switch still leaves you with the same problem. I think and practice a better solution which is the automatic charging relay. Blue Sea makes a nice, easy to install and inexpensive setup that they market as the Add A Battery system. This type of system is what you need.

 

[SDSeville]

Re: Batteries - should I alternate using 1 and 2?

A battery switch will work fine if you turn to "all" before or just after you start. That way it charges both batteries.

 

[Jlawsen]

Re: Batteries - should I alternate using 1 and 2?

A battery switch will work fine if you turn to "all" before or just after you start. That way it charges both batteries.

Yes it would except you risk killing your starting battery and stranding yourself over an extra hour of stereo listenting.

 

[samagy16]

Re: Batteries - should I alternate using 1 and 2?

A battery switch will work fine if you turn to "all" before or just after you start. That way it charges both batteries.

^THIS ^. My switch is on 1 or 2 only when my engine is off and I am running stereo, accessories etc., otherwise it is always on ALL while running the engine to charge both batteries.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Batteries - should I alternate using 1 and 2?

Yes it would except you risk killing your starting battery and stranding yourself over an extra hour of stereo listenting.

True, but I think most of us use the system described. Based on your line of thinking we are all in danger of running down both batteries, and if you don't pay attention to your gauges, possibly clogging the fuel lines...with air

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Batteries - should I alternate using 1 and 2?

I have a switch, and try to remember to alternate batteries. I can't say a charging relay is worth the expense; a lot depends on how big your boat is and how you use it.

I know some people have a cranking battery for starting and deep cycle for peripherals; it has never made a difference which I use and I have the same batteries that came with the used boat 3 years ago, and I run the boat year round. I also don't use anything much except a VHF and GPS/Depth Finder.

Just my uninformed impression, but because the recharging process on an OB is relatively weak I don't try to charge them both at the same time.

Also my GPS sometimes gives me a low battery alarm when I start, or maybe run a pump, but it is over-sensitive and always starts the motor even if registering low.

 

[QC]

Re: Batteries - should I alternate using 1 and 2?

I agree with Lawsen. What I do is I start with ALL, and after my first cruise of the day I switch to the number battery corresponding with the date. Odd number dates, #1. Even number dates, number 2. That way the opposite battery has got a charge in case I run it down or have an issue.

Leaving your batteries set to ALL, all of the time defeats the purpose of having two

 

[Jlawsen]

Re: Batteries - should I alternate using 1 and 2?

The ACR is the best solution and if you had one you wouldn't be arguing the point.

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: Batteries - should I alternate using 1 and 2?

The ACR is the best solution and if you had one you wouldn't be arguing the point.

Yes, this is correct.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Batteries - should I alternate using 1 and 2?

I prefer ONE battery, and then a fully charged booster pack on board for emergencies.

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: Batteries - should I alternate using 1 and 2?

I prefer ONE battery, and then a fully charged booster pack on board for emergencies.

That works great, until you anchor overnight, and run your stereo, and anchor light all night. Why set yourself up like that, when you can have all your "stuff" run on one battery, and your starter on another?

 

[SDSeville]

Re: Batteries - should I alternate using 1 and 2?

A battery switch will work fine if you turn to "all" before or just after you start. That way it charges both batteries.

I guess I assumed most would understand that you turn back to one battery when stopped so you can run the stereo and other accessories without the risk of running them both down.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Batteries - should I alternate using 1 and 2?

That works great, until you anchor overnight, and run your stereo, and anchor light all night. Why set yourself up like that, when you can have all your "stuff" run on one battery, and your starter on another?

I might do something different if I anchored overnight, my 18.5 footer doesn't spend a lot of nights on the hook. But my battery should run those loads all night and start the engine without issue. It has a very good RC.
with electrical, I like to keep it as simple as possible. 2 short cables, 1 to the starter, and 1 to the block. clean and tight, no spaghetti.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Batteries - should I alternate using 1 and 2?

I am under the impression that you only use the "All" or "both" position in an emergency or when switching between batteries whiel the engine is running. You should never leave it on both batteries because if one has a problem like an internal short, they will both die. I alternate between mine every trip.

 

[OllieC]

Re: Batteries - should I alternate using 1 and 2?

When I fire up the switch is on dual - while stopped and using the electronics I put it on #2. I have the same interstate deep cycle batteries in both banks.

Should I be alternating between #1 and #2 while stopped and using the electronics? I figured if I didn't use #1 in that capacity it would be there when I need to crank it over.......

 

[dingbat]

Re: Batteries - should I alternate using 1 and 2?

I have an ACR. Turn the switch to "on" when I leave the dock and "off" when I return. Can't get any easier than that.

 

[SDSeville]

Re: Batteries - should I alternate using 1 and 2?

I am under the impression that you only use the "All" or "both" position in an emergency or when switching between batteries whiel the engine is running. You should never leave it on both batteries because if one has a problem like an internal short, they will both die. I alternate between mine every trip.

If you use "all" it will charge both batteries while you are running.

 

[Jlawsen]

Re: Batteries - should I alternate using 1 and 2?

When I fire up the switch is on dual - while stopped and using the electronics I put it on #2. I have the same interstate deep cycle batteries in both banks.

Should I be alternating between #1 and #2 while stopped and using the electronics? I figured if I didn't use #1 in that capacity it would be there when I need to crank it over.......

You are correct to think of your second battery as a house battery and keep the first one for starting.

The second battery won't last as long as the first because all batteries have a maximum number of charge cycles and you'll reach that maximum on the house battery before you'll reach it on the start battery. That's exactly what you want. A new battery is almost always cheaper than a single tow.