question about duel batterys

[Reel Time]

 currently i have the switch on batt #1 saving batt #2 for back up, and next weekend i am gonna switch to #2 and save #1 for back up.

 am i doing this wrong? should i just leave the switch on both, and then switch to a specific batt when i think i might run one low for say something like a long trip anchored up and running alot of stuff?

[Luna Sea 5]

I keep my on both all the time.  If you at the dock and get alot of rain, you want to make sure your bildge is always working.  ONe battery needs to charge the other also.  If your going on a really long trip and plan on using your live wells with the engines shut off, you can then switch to just one battery to save the other, but still not necessary. 

[Hotrod]

What ^ he said.

[wingshooter]

thanks for the info,,I too was leaving it on one battery and switching over once in a whille

[Ruger314]

really good question.. I was wondering the same..

[Hotrod]

I'll switch to my #2,  the one that runs my electronics and such, when I'm anchored for a while, leaving the #1 that is used for starting alone... then back to all when running. to charge them both..

[Capt. Ed]

Hi All,

I run with one battery, leaving the other for emergency.

I do rotate weekly between the two ...

Thanks,

Capt. Ed

[BAHILA / PCramer6]

Funny that this is posted..I just asked my mechanic at my marina the same thing on the phone about 2 minutes ago.  He said  Running the boat always on both (keeps them charged)  Leaving the boat at the dock always switch to off.  Your bildge usually has a floater on it which will automatically turn on once it gets to a certain level.   Now that im writing this..im wondering..what powers the bildge pump?  lol

[ped579]

he he, glug glug...I always had to keep one on just for that reason.

My dad and I had a 27' Luhrs Sport Fisherman years ago and that was one of the shut down procedures we had make sure that only one battery was engaged.  This way if the battery did fail there was always the backup to start the engine to recharge both batteries.

Good thinkin...

[IrishAyes]

Funny that this is posted..I just asked my mechanic at my marina the same thing on the phone about 2 minutes ago.  He said  Running the boat always on both (keeps them charged)  Leaving the boat at the dock always switch to off.  Your bildge usually has a floater on it which will automatically turn on once it gets to a certain level.   Now that im writing this..im wondering..what powers the bildge pump?  lol

The bilge pump should be wired direct to the battery with a fuse inline of course.  When you turn the battery switch off it will have no effect on the bilge pump.
Joe

[BAHILA / PCramer6]

This site is awsome...

[ped579]

Thanks for the correction IrishAyes.  That was a long time ago, good catch

We were running a single Gray Marine with side draft carbs then.

[Skunked]

Irish is correct you should not need to leave the main switch on to run your bilge. It should be wired direct. I run on both and switch to one if I am out at night and plan on running all electronic and spreader lights with the engine off.

[Luna Sea 5]

Funny that this is posted..I just asked my mechanic at my marina the same thing on the phone about 2 minutes ago.  He said  Running the boat always on both (keeps them charged)  Leaving the boat at the dock always switch to off.  Your bildge usually has a floater on it which will automatically turn on once it gets to a certain level.   Now that im writing this..im wondering..what powers the bildge pump?  lol

Well, this is pretty much what I said, but I wouldn't take a chance of my bilge pump not working.  I rather kill both batteries, then to find my boat sunk to the bottom.

[Luna Sea 5]

This site is awsome...

My Luna Sea 2 looks like the same as your.  Mine was a 1988 with a 200 yammy on it.  I got her up to about 42 mph, and it was also a 23' like your..

[bdgrbu]

Agreed with all who say bilge pump is hard wired to a batt.  My last check before walking away from the boat to head home is to lift the switch to be sure its still working.

If you leave your batt's on, you run the risk of something else draining them (inadvertantly hitting a switch, leaving a VHF on, etc ..) and when you finally need pump, batt is dead.  Think about this, if pump is hardwired to 1 batt, then it makes no sense to leave the switch on both, because the other batt will never be able to provide juice anyway.

Just my 2cents.