Batteries - should I alternate using 1 and 2?

[bruceb58]

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.

Likewise. Its foolproof.

 

[Mischief Managed]

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

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

I know, but it will also tie the two batteries together. Alternating batteries accomplishes the same thing without the problems associated with that. That said, my boat has a dual automatic on-board charger, so both of my batteries stay topped-up on shore power regardless.

 

[SDSeville]

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

I know, but it will also tie the two batteries together. Alternating batteries accomplishes the same thing without the problems associated with that. That said, my boat has a dual automatic on-board charger, so both of my batteries stay topped-up on shore power regardless.

I am no electrician. What is wrong with tying the 2 batteries together while running?

 

[OllieC]

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

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.

Thanks JLawsen

 

[Silvertip]

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.

No it won't. Two batteries in parallel represents one giant battery so you will not kill either one. In fact each battery will be discharged 1/2 the amount a single battery be during the same time the radio is running. If the system has a killer audio amp then that's a different scenario.

 

[Silvertip]

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

I know, but it will also tie the two batteries together. Alternating batteries accomplishes the same thing without the problems associated with that. That said, my boat has a dual automatic on-board charger, so both of my batteries stay topped-up on shore power regardless.

What problems? How about being specific? Over the road trucks have six batteries in parallel with no battery switch and they live together nicely.

 

[Silvertip]

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.

ONLY and ACR and NO switch? Try starting the engine from the house battery if the ACR doesn't have a COMBINE feature that allows this.
ACR's have a purpose -- generally for folks who don't want to be bothered with a switch, don't know what a switch does or when or why to use any of the settings. They simply want both batteries to charge and tend to ignore the emergency start situation. Nothing wrong with that. That's why there is such a range of accessories for nearly everything we do in life.

 

[Silvertip]

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.

There is no WRONG way to use a switch except to switch it OFF with the engine running. Gee whiz -- this discussion is getting worse than the What's The Best Oil" threads. A battery switch set to BAT 1 will allow ONLY BAT 1 to charge, it will run all accessories connected to the COM terminal and it will start the engine. Switch to BAT 2 and it does the same thing. Switch to BOTH and both batteries do all three. What is wrong in my view is to connect a bunch of accessories to BAT 2 and ONLY the engine to the COM terminal. By doing so you eliminate half the available electrical system from use in an emergency. Put ALL accessories except the automatic bilge pump on the COM terminal and you can now use the full potential of the switch. BAT 1 only, BAT 2 only, or BOTH can be used to do all three functions (start, charge and power accessories). Your the boss, so select the battery that needs the charge.