New to dual batteries

joey91279

Hi, I just bought a 2005 Rinker Captiva 192 and the boat has dual batteries with a Perko Battery Selector Switch.  Can someone please walk me through on how to use it and when to the switch it to 1 or 2 or all?  I want to make sure I do it right before heading out for the first time with this boat.

Thanks,
Joey

skennelly

If 1 is your starting battery always leave the switch on 1.  When you anchor or whatever put the switch on 2 so you don't drain your starting battery.  All setting is for emergencies when neither battery will start the boat...ALL combines both batteries.  Don't use ALL unless you need too

NEVER use the switch while the engine is running you can damage the charging system.

Willhound

To add to that, your switch position does not affect which side is charging when under way. Both sides will charge on the alternator when running. And if you have an on-board charger, same thing. I'm new this year too and wondered the same thing. If you do a search on the forum my post along with all of the very helpful answers from the other members will come up as well as a number of other posts on the subject.
And...Welcome!

aero3113

Also I would like to add, when on shore power and no one is at the boat should the battery selector be in the off position?

skennelly

I slip all season and never turn my switch to off.

Ian

skennelly said:

I slip all season and never turn my switch to off.

Likewise. Only off when on the hard in winter.

Willhound

Same here. Particularly because my fridge only runs on 12 volt and the beer MUST be cold at all times!

Lake_Bum

I always run down the lake with the switch on "ALL" then switch to battery one when stopped and playing music, etc 

skennelly

@Lake_Bum - any reason you run on ALL?  Just curious

raybo3

Personally I would never run on all. I always want a "fresh/fully charged" battery. Running on all could drain them all if there is a problem...... Just say'n....

Lake_Bum

Maybe my logic is wrong, but I thought it would charge both batteries if the switch was on all. I have never used an isolator, just a perko switch. Had the same setup on several boats, and never had an issue... 

Willhound

@Lake_Bum, the isolator might already be there without you spotting it. It doesn't look like much, just a little block with a single positive wire running from the alternator, and then two wires running out to the two battery banks. It will allow both batteries to charge regardless of battery switch position, while preventing any back draw if one battery goes bad so it doesn't suck the life out of the remaining good battery.

reneechris14

Isolator is like a one way street power can go though but can't turn around and come back.

Lake_Bum

@Willhound it might have one on it, that I haven't noticed, this boat has dual batteries from the factory, so it might already be installed. On other boats though, they have been a single battery, and I basically ran the main positive wire directly to the perko switch, then came out of that to each individual battery.  The process above is how I used them, and never had a problem, always maintained a good charge. 
What I have learned from this thread, and hopefully joey the original poster (sorry for derailing your post) is with an isolator, BOTH batteries are receiving a charge while underway, regardless of switch position on the perko.........right? 

Willhound

That is my understanding, yes.

MarkB

Agree with Al,  you need to verify your wiring. On my boat I had off, 1, 2, both. What that meant was which battery ran the engine starter and associated connected devices. 2 was wired to always be on house. 

So I just kept mine on 1 all the time to ensure the engine always had a fresh starter battery, while 2 took care of the house load. 

Both would mean the batteries are bridged, and it's something you only want to do in an emergency situation.