battery charging

[nickgolf101]

Hello!
I have 2 batteries on my boat. When I am connected to shore power, do the batteries have to be "on" in order for the battery charger to charge them? Or can they be in the "off" position and still get charged??
Thanks!

[Phillbo]

They can be off but the switches on your panel must be on.

[mmwjr]

The charger should be wire that the switch can be off.

[shrew]

Follow the Pos/Grnd from the battery charger to the battery. Some folks wire the charger through the switch. I don't like this setup. You should technically go from the battery charger through a 50a fuse directly to the battery terminals. Many don't use fuses, including myself. However, fusing it close to the charger would be a 'best practice'.