Rrnman
New Member
I purchased my 85 Sundancer 250 in November. I have a 3 battery on/off switch installation. Switch 1 starboard side to cranking battery, Switch 2 port side for 2 house batteries and Switch 3 in the engine compartment. All are charged by a Xantrex Multistage Battery Charger when shore power is connected. Based on the West Marine Battery Combiner document which came in the boat binder documentation I received Switch 3 appears to be a the Emergency Parallel switch. Can someone help tell me how these switches work? Below are my thoughts of how I think they work:
Switch 1 turn on for cranking boat and while cruising. Turn switch off when anchored.
Switch 2 turn on when anchored to run house loads. When leaving leave on so house batteries can charge while cruising to next location to charge the battery.
Switch 3 leave off at all times unless charging battery won't crank. Switch 3 can be turned on to combine both battery banks to start the boat in emergency. The West Marine document says if I leave switch 3 on to long then I may drain both battery banks.
When I'm on shore power and Xantrex is charging should all 3 switches be in off position? I would appreciate the input on how to manage these switches correctly and not find myself out of power on the water.
Thanks.
Switch 1 turn on for cranking boat and while cruising. Turn switch off when anchored.
Switch 2 turn on when anchored to run house loads. When leaving leave on so house batteries can charge while cruising to next location to charge the battery.
Switch 3 leave off at all times unless charging battery won't crank. Switch 3 can be turned on to combine both battery banks to start the boat in emergency. The West Marine document says if I leave switch 3 on to long then I may drain both battery banks.
When I'm on shore power and Xantrex is charging should all 3 switches be in off position? I would appreciate the input on how to manage these switches correctly and not find myself out of power on the water.
Thanks.