rubble Posted August 21, 2023 Report Share Posted August 21, 2023 When Battery 1 is drained on the water and the time comes to put the battery switch on Battery 2 to attempt to crank the engine, what is the best way to get the switch back to 1? Do turn the switch back to 1 by going through the "Off" or going through the "Both" position? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief5130 Posted August 21, 2023 Report Share Posted August 21, 2023 Do not go through off! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim33042 Posted August 21, 2023 Report Share Posted August 21, 2023 I believe you should never switch battery position on switch while engine is running... either leave on battery 2 coming in and put bat 1 on charge when you get back home or keep a lithium jump pack or a set of jumper cables on board to provide "jump" juice to #1 battery. There would be a temporary disconnect if you tried to move switch from 2 to 1, or any other pattern, which would damage your alternator. You can try "both" position and then leave in that position till you turn off engine (ie get back to ramp or home). In the both position you may or may not be able to get engine started... best to have short set of jumper cables or a jump pack - jump packs are very reasonably priced and are a very reliable backup. I have one that I did not put a charge on for 2 years and it started a 200 hp 4 stroke for a stranded boater one day. One of the items in my permanent boat bag that goes in any boat I board. it's about 7"x3.75"x1.5", weighs less than 1.5 lbs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smilemaker Posted August 22, 2023 Report Share Posted August 22, 2023 Never go thru off when the engine is running Most good switches do not have a complete disconnect as you go from 1 to both to 2. In vernacular it's called make before you break. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lap it Up Posted August 22, 2023 Report Share Posted August 22, 2023 8 hours ago, smilemaker said: Never go thru off when the engine is running Most good switches do not have a complete disconnect as you go from 1 to both to 2. In vernacular it's called make before you break. This right here. Go through “both”. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bamaskeet Posted August 22, 2023 Report Share Posted August 22, 2023 Many years ago I blew a power pack on an engine switching batteries while running. I would start the motor on battery 2. After running for a while, I would shut off the motor and start it on both. Then after running awhile, I would shut off the motor and try to start it on battery 1. This would give you the best opportunity to charge both batteries. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smilemaker Posted August 22, 2023 Report Share Posted August 22, 2023 One big no no not mentioned is do not go to both to start the engine. Go to #2 and start. As soon as you go to both #1 will drain off power from #2 as they try to equlize . Go to both only if neither battery will crank on its own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fin-addict Posted August 22, 2023 Report Share Posted August 22, 2023 I may have been doing it wrong my entire boating life. Always start and run on BOTH no matter the boat or its size. Only use 1 or two if at anchor at night to run lights. Never had a problem. Both batteries always show same readings when tested and last the same amount of time. 3-5 years. Longer on larger boats 5+. Wet cell batteries. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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