Battery cable wiring diagram

msballin

Member
May 30, 2008
259
Islip Terrace, Long Island
Boat Info
2000 340 Sundancer
Engines
Twin 7.4L Horizons w/ Hurth V-Drives
I've 4 batteries in my engine compartment...I'm assuming one for each engine, one for the genset, and one for the 12 volt systems (vacuflush, stereo, refrigerator, etc.) On several occasions over the past 8 years, while away from shore power, one of the engines starts and the the other, not so much. Upon using the emergency start button on the dashboard, the breaker switches on the main panel in cabin shut off along with both engines. Is there a wiring diagram I can reference to see if the wiring is faulty? Thank you.
 
Start with 1 battery connected and see what works and what dosent.Disconnect battery 1 and hook up battery 2, Then battery 2, same way with 3,and 4
You wiring may be combined tripping the breakers.
You may need to seperate the engines and their wiring by having 1 battery dedicated to each engine , a dedicated battery for the genny and a dedicated house battery system
 
Looking at the schematics for your boat, the port battery set are in parallel and are for the port motor and your house 12V. On the starboard battery set, one is for the generator and one for the starboard motor.
 
JimG...I just saw that on a schematic downloaded from searay. Question, If I may...are you familiar with where the "connection" is between the starboard and port batteries that would enable the emergency start to occur? I assumed, before I saw the schematic, the two in parallel were the port and starboard starting batteries. Apparently, that is not the case. Kind of curious why the port and house battery would be joined together. Your thoughts?
 
JimG...I just saw that on a schematic downloaded from searay. Question, If I may...are you familiar with where the "connection" is between the starboard and port batteries that would enable the emergency start to occur? I assumed, before I saw the schematic, the two in parallel were the port and starboard starting batteries. Apparently, that is not the case. Kind of curious why the port and house battery would be joined together. Your thoughts?

There is a relay on your bulk head that combines the starboard battery with the port batteries for emergency start. The port and house batteries are joined and charged by the port alternator. The starboard battery is charged by the starboard alternator. The generator battery is charged by the converter.
 
Last edited:
I think the 2000 340 is set up like my 330. You should have two batteries wired in parallel under a seat that are your starboard engine and house bank. Then a port engine battery in the bilge and the generator battery. The three systems are separate except for the alternator charging as mentioned.

Your generator should be able to be used to power your Converter/charger if you ever run down your starboard/house bank and the Emergency Start "bridge" does not work for some reason.

For what it is worth, I replaced my port side single battery with two 6v golf cart deep cycles in series. Then I moved the house battery feed wire from the starbord battery switch over to the port battery switch. So now I have a two battery starboard bank (engine only), and a high capacity port/house bank. So I can go a long time on battery power with no start issues (like many great lakes area boats, I do not have a generator)
 
JimG..Great information. Thanx much! Creekwood...set up for me is a bit different. Port and house battery in series. All astern of engines. JimG is spot on w his assessment. Thanks all for your advice. Greatly appreciated.
 
Last edited:
JimG..Great information. Thanx much! Creekwood...set up for me is a bit different. Port and house battery in series. All astern of engines. JimG is spot on w his assessment. Thanks all for your advice. Greatly appreciated.

Your port and house are not in series. Wiring batteries in series doubles voltage, meaning your bank would be 24volts. The Port bank is not connected to the starboard bank directly. They each go to their own battery switch. If the same alternator charges both banks, it will be going through an isolator that keeps them separate as related to power consumption.
 
Thank you Creekwood. I may have misquoted JimG. The port and house battery are joined and charged by the port side alternator. This does make sense as while away from the dock and disconnected from shore power, the house battery is continually charged until it needs to be used. If either of you have a picture of what the relay on the bulkhead it may be helpful for me to understand the wiring. Is it possible this relay is fused in some way?
 
It's not a relay it's an isolator. As I said each bank is separate. The emergency start switch temporarily bridges the two banks (in parallel) so you can start your engines using both banks if needed. I have a Sea Ray wiring diagram for my 330 I will email to you if you PM your email address. I think that the wiring for the batteries on yours is pretty much the same as mine.
 
The emergency start relay/solenoid is not fused. Here is your bulk head...
 

Attachments

  • 2000 340 bulk head.jpg
    2000 340 bulk head.jpg
    58.6 KB · Views: 8,812
Last edited:
It's not a relay it's an isolator. As I said each bank is separate. The emergency start switch temporarily bridges the two banks (in parallel) so you can start your engines using both banks if needed. I have a Sea Ray wiring diagram for my 330 I will email to you if you PM your email address. I think that the wiring for the batteries on yours is pretty much the same as mine.

branevan124@gmail.com , can you send me that wiring diagram ? Thanks
 
branevan124@gmail.com , can you send me that wiring diagram ? Thanks
Yours will not be the same as mine, but here are links to your manuals on Sea Ray's web site. Note that there seems to be a 340DA and a 340SDA on the site. The last link is to the supplement for your year that includes the wiring at the end.
https://s3.amazonaws.com/srweb-pvt-...nuals/2003__2003-340-SUNDANCER-A-(340SDA).pdf
https://s3.amazonaws.com/srweb-pvt-...-manuals/2003__2003-340-SUNDANCER-(340DA).pdf
https://owners-resources.searayweb....003_340 Sundancer_1999-2003_340 Sundancer.pdf
 
I've 4 batteries in my engine compartment...I'm assuming one for each engine, one for the genset, and one for the 12 volt systems (vacuflush, stereo, refrigerator, etc.) On several occasions over the past 8 years, while away from shore power, one of the engines starts and the the other, not so much. Upon using the emergency start button on the dashboard, the breaker switches on the main panel in cabin shut off along with both engines. Is there a wiring diagram I can reference to see if the wiring is faulty? Thank you.

While @JimG is spot on with his info, on a side note you mention in the past 8 years? Are your batteries that old? If so you might want to think about replacing them or at the very least have them tested. You can take them to Autozone or the like and they will test for free. When you do replace them, if you have room, you might want to replace the port bank with a single 8D if possible, if not two group 31's at least.
 
I think the 2000 340 is set up like my 330. You should have two batteries wired in parallel under a seat that are your starboard engine and house bank. Then a port engine battery in the bilge and the generator battery. The three systems are separate except for the alternator charging as mentioned.

Your generator should be able to be used to power your Converter/charger if you ever run down your starboard/house bank and the Emergency Start "bridge" does not work for some reason.

For what it is worth, I replaced my port side single battery with two 6v golf cart deep cycles in series. Then I moved the house battery feed wire from the starbord battery switch over to the port battery switch. So now I have a two battery starboard bank (engine only), and a high capacity port/house bank. So I can go a long time on battery power with no start issues (like many great lakes area boats, I do not have a generator)

Hey there Creekwood,

You seem to be very knowledgeable and was hoping I could pick your brain. I'm in the Kawartha Lakes area.

We have the same boat and I'm experiencing battery issues. On mine, there are two batteries under the seat adjacent to the helm seat. I believe they are both starting. One dedicated to genset and one to perhaps starboard motor. Then down in the engine compartment there are two batteries in parallel. Last year, I replaced one of the batteries with a new deep cycle. I assume these are the port motor starting and house. This summer, I've had nothing but problems. My house batteries don't last and port starting is dead every time. Have to emergency start every time. Can you confirm that is the correct wiring/configuration? Ideally I'd like three house batteries... but two may have two do. Maybe I should add some solar.

I swapped out my dead ice maker in the cockpit for a dual voltage frig but I'm afraid to wire that onto those house batteries and worsen the situation.

Thank you for your assistance.
 
Hey there Creekwood,

You seem to be very knowledgeable and was hoping I could pick your brain. I'm in the Kawartha Lakes area.

We have the same boat and I'm experiencing battery issues. On mine, there are two batteries under the seat adjacent to the helm seat. I believe they are both starting. One dedicated to genset and one to perhaps starboard motor. Then down in the engine compartment there are two batteries in parallel. Last year, I replaced one of the batteries with a new deep cycle. I assume these are the port motor starting and house. This summer, I've had nothing but problems. My house batteries don't last and port starting is dead every time. Have to emergency start every time. Can you confirm that is the correct wiring/configuration? Ideally I'd like three house batteries... but two may have two do. Maybe I should add some solar.

I swapped out my dead ice maker in the cockpit for a dual voltage frig but I'm afraid to wire that onto those house batteries and worsen the situation.

Thank you for your assistance.
I can try to help but there is no way to know what prior owners of your boat may have done to rewire it.

The standard set up is as follows:
Under the bench seat is a two battery bank, wired in parallel. They feed the starboard engine and the house 12v systems.

In the bilge there is a single battery that is the port engine starting battery. If you have a generator, there is a separate battery that is solely for the generator.

There are two battery switches under the bench seat on the port side. The one on the left is the port battery switch and the one on the right is for the starboard. Those two battery switches have the large red battery cables going in and out. There is also a slightly smaller red wire that is the house power feed. I think it is probably attached to the starboard switch.

If any of that is not what you have, then a prior owner may have rewired things.

The two batteries in the seat should be exactly the same. Same type, size, manufacturer, and installed at the same time. If they are mismatched, they will fail more quickly. If you want that to be your house bank, then buy the highest capacity “Dual cycle” (starting and deep cycle) batteries you can get. Group 27’s are what fits that box.

Then you should consider getting a better battery charger if you still have that original black Promarine 30amp. It is very old technology and doesn’t do a good job maintaining batteries. The Pronautic 1230p is a great simple replacement and is a great charger. Ensure you leave the charger on at all times when hooked to shore power.

Post some pictures of what you have if you want. (You can post with a link to an online photo site or, if you are site paid sponsor ($25 for basic) you can post directly.

I may be down at the boat later this week and I can post some pictures of my set up, but keep in mind I have installed a two 6v golf cart bank in the bilge for the port engine, and switched over the house feed to that battery bank so my house bank is now shared with the port engine.
 
Last edited:
I can try to help but there is no way to know what prior owners of your boat may have done to rewire it.

The standard set up is as follows:
Under the bench seat is a two battery bank, wired in parallel. They feed the starboard engine and the house 12v systems.

In the bilge there is a single battery that is the port engine starting battery. If you have a generator, there is a separate battery that is solely for the generator.

There are two battery switches under the bench seat on the port side. The one on the left is the port battery switch and the one on the right is for the starboard. Those two battery switches have the large red battery cables going in and out. There is also a slightly smaller red wire that is the house power feed. I think it is probably attached to the starboard switch.

If any of that is not what you have, then a prior owner may have rewired things.

The two batteries in the seat should be exactly the same. Same type, size, manufacturer, and installed at the same time. If they are mismatched, they will fail more quickly. If you want that to be your house bank, then buy the highest capacity “Dual cycle” (starting and deep cycle) batteries you can get. Group 27’s are what fits that box.

Then you should consider getting a better battery charger if you still have that original black Promarine 30amp. It is very old technology and doesn’t do a good job maintaining batteries. The Pronautic 1230p is a great simple replacement and is a great charger. Ensure you leave the charger on at all times when hooked to shore power.

Post some pictures of what you have if you want. (You can post with a link to an online photo site or, if you are site paid sponsor ($25 for basic) you can post directly.

I may be down at the boat later this week and I can post some pictures of my set up, but keep in mind I have installed a two 6v golf cart bank in the bilge for the port engine, and switched over the house feed to that battery bank so my house bank is now shared with the port engine.
Thanks for the insight. When troubleshooting my genset this spring (another issue I'm still dealing with) I'm pretty sure the right hand battery under the seat is dedicated to the generator. I know of the two battery switches, they are strictly on and off. I'm going to try and trace everything out this weekend. I already have the replacement ProNautic charger, 1230P I believe, have-not installed it yet. And yes, charger is always on when on shore. The ones under the seat I'm pretty sure are the same size, make and type, I will confirm this weekend.

Below is the only photo I have of the batteries in the engine compartment. Thanks again for your help.
 

Attachments

  • tempImageP7JYri.png
    tempImageP7JYri.png
    1.5 MB · Views: 106
Thanks for the insight. When troubleshooting my genset this spring (another issue I'm still dealing with) I'm pretty sure the right hand battery under the seat is dedicated to the generator. I know of the two battery switches, they are strictly on and off. I'm going to try and trace everything out this weekend. I already have the replacement ProNautic charger, 1230P I believe, have-not installed it yet. And yes, charger is always on when on shore. The ones under the seat I'm pretty sure are the same size, make and type, I will confirm this weekend.

Below is the only photo I have of the batteries in the engine compartment. Thanks again for your help.

Well those two are definitely in parallel, so maybe that is your house and port engine bank. But the two batteries are different sizes. Those two batteries should be exactly the same. What I explained about the two under the seat should be changed to these two. I would ensure that they are both exactly the same and I would go with either two group 27 or larger 12V high capacity dual purpose batteries. Or maybe consider going with two higher capacity deep cycle batteries. I will post a picture of my port/house bank. Its a pair of Rolls Surette 6v golf cart deep cycle batteries. They have a lot of capacity and can take deep discharge when at anchor for a while. The downside is they have less cranking amps, so that engine turns over slower on starting. Its never been an issue since we have the emergency bridge switch to connect the two banks if the port runs too far down. But I have never had to use it. I don't have a cockpit fridge though. Just the icemaker that only runs on shore power.

If your under seat batteries are separate for engine and generator, then they don't have to be the same, and they can both be normal cranking batteries. The generator one can be smaller of course.

And get that 1230P installed! They are really effective chargers and if you don't use the boat for a couple weeks they enter into a conditioning cycle automatically.
 
Well those two are definitely in parallel, so maybe that is your house and port engine bank. But the two batteries are different sizes. Those two batteries should be exactly the same. What I explained about the two under the seat should be changed to these two. I would ensure that they are both exactly the same and I would go with either two group 27 or larger 12V high capacity dual purpose batteries. Or maybe consider going with two higher capacity deep cycle batteries. I will post a picture of my port/house bank. Its a pair of Rolls Surette 6v golf cart deep cycle batteries. They have a lot of capacity and can take deep discharge when at anchor for a while. The downside is they have less cranking amps, so that engine turns over slower on starting. Its never been an issue since we have the emergency bridge switch to connect the two banks if the port runs too far down. But I have never had to use it. I don't have a cockpit fridge though. Just the icemaker that only runs on shore power.

If your under seat batteries are separate for engine and generator, then they don't have to be the same, and they can both be normal cranking batteries. The generator one can be smaller of course.

And get that 1230P installed! They are really effective chargers and if you don't use the boat for a couple weeks they enter into a conditioning cycle automatically.
Last weekend was a beautiful weekend as you know, since we’re not that far apart. So I chose to boat versus repair.

This weekend will be different. I will troubleshoot and report what I find. And get that charger installed for sure!!

I will stay in touch. Thanks again for your help.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,950
Messages
1,422,878
Members
60,932
Latest member
juliediane
Back
Top