To run on 1 or 2 or both batteries
 

What is the correct way to run your engine off a battery? on battery 1 or battery 2 or both? I start my engine on both and run engine on both because I have heard that on running on both you are keeping both batteries charged. Is this right or wrong?

You probably will not find a correct answer. I run just on one battery. That way if I run battery down with either lights or radio left on all I have to do is switch battery to other & start engine. I only leave on both for short periods of time for both batteries to charge after I screwed up & had run one down. You an buy an isolator that will charge both batteries but not let both batteries discharge

??? Great question. I always run on both batteries and then if I'm stopped somewhere to raft-up or whatever :cool: :cool: I will switch it to batt.1 or 2 so that they won't both go dead. Not sure if this is correct or not.:rolleyes: Anyone else??


Craig

SAME HERE

I do what craig223 does also....Fred

If I jumped off of the brooklyn bridge, would you guys do it too?:D :D :D

I do the same as Craig223 as well. If we are all doing the same thing then it can't be that wrong:confused:

I run on both... I dont run my stereo while parked all that often, as I dont have the "killer system" as others do... so no point.

The Merc manual for my 496HO says to run on one battery, not both. Something about voltage spikes and how it would affect the ECU.

i start and run on two batteries so they both get charged
but on the hook or docked i switch to one battery
nothing worst than having a boat that wont start when anchored
plus i rack store my boat so i turn off both for storage

cardoctor
still rainin

Funny this question came up
 

I've always run with both batteries on. I've also always had trouble with the #2 battery. This year it was dead again. I got to snooping around and found my battery switch was wired wrong from Baja. In essence the #2 battery did nothing but sit there and go dead. It only took me 5 years to discover that

Start and run on 1. Raft on the other. Both off when racked.

There was an article in Hot Boat (I think) about just this subject. It said to use a Marine "start" battery for engine starting (perhaps bat1) and then a "deep cycle" (bat2) to power radios, a/c, fridge, etc. The problem they came up with is different charging demands voltage wise, and an alternator that didn't know the difference. Then they recommended some advertisers product for charging at different rates, etc.
No, I'm not sure what all this really means, I just do like craig223 does.
:D :D

When I purchased my boat the man who owned the dealership told me to start and run on battery #1 one time, then the next time out use battery #2...He told meto do this so if there ever was a short or some sort of drain I would not drain both batteries at once...so this is how I have run for three seasons now...knock on wood no problem so far.

I also read the article in Hot Boat mag. I purchased my boat used last year and someone put in 2 deep cycle batteries. I just replaced the weaker one with a marine starting battery(battery 1) and kept battery 2 as the deep cycle. I will start and run on battery 1 and switch to battery 2 for raft-ups, etc.

The article says not to let the alternator charge-up a deep cycle battery because it charges it too fast. My Interstate battery rep agrees. Plus my starting battery has more MCA(marine cranking amps) 1000 amps. I'll charge my deep cycle batt. with my shorepower charger.

Hopefully this will let my batteries "live" longer.

Toolman