Another battery question

[Reckless]

See if I can explain this correctly. Have 2 battery setup. 4 position switch. Off,1,2 or both. I can start on 1,2 or both. If I disconnect 1 put the switch on 2 position it will not crank. It will start off of 2 but only if 1 is hooked up. Does that make any sense? Or is that normal? 

[Hunter 2]

That does not sound right. I just checked a diagram of a boat battery switch. Somethings wrong with your setup.  

maybe bad switch, Maybe bad battery, maybe bad wire from switch to battery. I would take switch apart and check all connections are clean and tight. The wiring is very simple. Search for an online diagram.  good luck.

[wb]

check the grounds on both batts 1 and 2.

actually both battery grounds should be tied together AND to the engine block.

[Reckless]

Thanks guys!! Found a simple diagram. It also explained what goes on in each position. It should start in 1,2 or both. No rocket science here. Will have to clean and check my connections like you guys suggested. Thanks!! 


http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/dualBattery.html

[Reckless]

 Found this on a Seaswirl forum. Sounds like it is factory wired that way.  Bat 2 shares the ground with bat 1. Unless it is hooked up to bat 1. it isn't grounded. Should be an easy fix ground bat 2.

I know that on my 2101 striper, from the factory, with the perko switch, wired the way the factory wired it, I will not be able to start my motor using battery #2, with the perko switch on position #2, unless there is a battery / positive and negative cables are connected on battery #1. This is because of the way the grounding is done (battery can be dead, but the ground is what is shared). However, I can start the boat using battery #1, using switch position #1 if nothing is connected to the second battery.

[Hunter 2]

  ,,Correct!  Many boats only have a jumper ground from Batt #1 to Batt #2. Mine is wired the same way.

[Reckless]

I guess they figure if bat 1 is dead but the cables are connected you could still use bat 2. If for some reason you had to remove bat 1 I guess you could just bolt the 2 negatives together.

[Hunter 2]

Yep  , This is simple and it works. But, seperate ground wires may be better. But im not changing mine.

[Reckless]

Not going to change either. What is the chance of not have bat 1?