Starting Engine Order

DDD

DDD

New Member
Oct 27, 2012
268
Tampa, FL
Boat Info
2008 45
Engines
Diesel
Just wondering...
When I bought my boat, they had told me to always start the starboard engine first, then the port.
Why is that?
Is there ever a case where it is opposite?
Why does the order matter?

Thanks!
 
Funny I was told the same thing. Of course they also told me to always use the cross connect for starting so I take everything with a grain of salt.
 
carterchapman said:
On the DC-6, 7, & 8, start order was 3,4,2,1. But on the 747 it was 4, 1, 2, 3....:smt021
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On the C172 it was a much less complicated procedure.
 
estoltz said:
Funny I was told the same thing. Of course they also told me to always use the cross connect for starting so I take everything with a grain of salt.
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About half the time I go out, I've booted-up the electronics before starting the engines. (set my route, check the weather etc) The plotter is sensitive to voltage, so if it's on when I want to start the port engine, using the parallel all but guarantees that the plotter will stay on during the start.
 
The starting order is only important if your house runs off one bank and the engines are on separate banks. The theory is that you would start the side having only the engine on it first so you have get home power and to prevent unnecessary discharge/charge cycles on the house side. Once that engine is running you can use the emergency start switch to start the side powering the house and the other engine. Every boat's wiring is different, so I can't tell you if your boat is wired this way or if this is even important on your boat.

I frequently run boat for the marina that I am not familiar with and I cheat. I always use the emergency start switch to start up the engines because I don't know the wiring and because the batteries are usually left on by the mechanics and one side or t he other will be low.

As far as electronics go, you should power up your plotter, radar, VHF, etc. after you have both engines running so prevent low voltage shut downs and the surge you get when the engine alternator comes online. Again, this is going to be specific to your boat, and Rollercoaster's method may work in your situation, but most of us here have full electronics, large plotters and diesel engines so all voltage sensitive electronics shut down when the engine starting load is put on the batteries.
 
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I don't have a solid, technical reason for doing this, but I do have a routine. I always start the generator first, followed by the port engine, then the starboard engine. It allows me to better hear each one as it's cranking and starting.
 
While this doesn't apply to the O/P, Zeus boats, at least those of a few years ago, are to be started starboard then port to ensure a proper systems boot-up. This per my orientation from the Cummins/Merc tech when I purchased a Zeus boat and confirmed by other qualified technical personnel who I subsequently asked. I recall a thread some time back where this was corroborated by other Zeus owners.
 
Red Stripe said:
While this doesn't apply to the O/P, Zeus boats, at least those of a few years ago, are to be started starboard then port to ensure a proper systems boot-up. This per my orientation from the Cummins/Merc tech when I purchased a Zeus boat and confirmed by other qualified technical personnel who I subsequently asked. I recall a thread some time back where this was corroborated by other Zeus owners.
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How many of us, a few years ago, ever thought we would be worrying about "booting up" our engines? Avionics (sorry - electronics) - yes, but look how far engine systems have come in the past 15 years...It really is amazing to look how far things have come in 20 years. Who remembers their first computer with a 5 MB hard drive? It wasn't that long ago!
 
I start my generator first get it warmed up, shore cable stowed then start the port then starboard. Engine order is just habit. I shut down in the same engine order then generator.
 
My habit on the 280 is un-wavering: I ALWAYS start port first. If starboard starts at some point later, then it's a good day. #ihatesalt
 
Yeah I have gotten into a pattern as well on my procedures. 1) Genset. Wait a minute to see that it stays running. Then drop the load circuits on all items, switch to genset and bring loads back online sequentially. Stow shore power cord. 2) Starboard engine primarily because once I start the port engine between it and the genset hearing any issues on the starboard becomes a little more difficult. Verify Gauges are green. 3) Port Engine. Verify Gauges are green. If I'm coming from the home marina we have a warm-up/cool down of 20 minutes via no wake zone. I power up my electronics before pulling out and then set guidance up during the no wake zone.
 
I was also advised to start the starboard engine first. The explanation was that Smartcraft needs to see the starboard engine first and and that starting the port may work if started first but ultimately cause communications problems during operation. Since later model Merc and Zeus owners appear to have gotten the same advice, it may be sound.
 
It's probably good practice in that on SR's, the Port side is the helm and electronics power and by first starting the Starboard you now have the supplement of the charging of the Starboard alternator to offset the voltage drop on the Port batteries during Port engine cranking. If the charger is on then you have additional benefit. The alternators usually have a higher ampacity than the chargers.
However, to be honest I don't really pay much attention to the sequence.....
 
fwebster said:
I frequently run boat for the marina that I am not familiar with and I cheat. I always use the emergency start switch to start up the engines because I don't know the wiring and because the batteries are usually left on by the mechanics and one side or t he other will be low.
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I do the same thing but for a different reason. I don't want to run the engine batteries way down so I use the emergency start button.
 
I'm anal so I vary the start order to keep the hours as close as possible. :smt021
 
Never really thought about it....I do remember that one time, I started both at the same time...worked fine.
 
On a BE A35 I usually start the center engine first - don't forget to hang your head over the side and yell "CLEAR!"

It will usually fire when it gets around to the good cylinder!

:smt043
 
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