Maxum 2300SC - charging BOTH batteries from alternator while underway?

[SimonM]

I have a Perko Battery selector switch on my 2001 Maxum 2300SC, connected to 2 deep cycle batteries (I realise one should be a starting battery and one domestic/deep cycle, but this is what I have right now)... before you ask, yes, it is correctly wired and connected...

My question is whether BOTH batteries will be charged by the alternator while underway provided the selector is set to "ALL", or do I need to run for say half the day with the selector set to battery 1 and then the second half of the day with it set to battery 2?

Thanks in advance...

Cheers,
Simon

[mmwjr]

If the batteries are low the alternator will have trouble changing in the ALL position. I recommond using Bat 1 position for one trip and then Bat 2 the next. This works fine for me.

[biggerseagar]

Simon....fyi....there is nothing wrong with having a deep cycle battery for a starting battery as long as the deep cycle is big enough.I have two 29 series deep cycles with a 195 reserve cap. They work just fine.

Roger

[shrew]

If you use one for starting and one for charging, then a single start should recharge the battery fairly quickly. I've started and idled out of anchorages to recharge the starting battery from the draw of the start. Then flip the battery to the house side to allow the alternator to charge it while I run to the next location. You should try to isolate the starting battery to ensure you can restart the boat. Running on both to charge both sounds like both are depleted. That would be bad.