scr battery selector

[RCTcroptech]

On our maxum scr 2400 there is a battery selector switch that marked for 1, 2 and both. It is my understanding that this selects the battery that is powering the electrical system and also selects the battery that will receive the charge from the system. What is the proper use of this, do I start the engine using both then change over to one or two after the motor is running and after the boat is underway what setting should I have the selector on?.
I don't want to discharge a battery and fail to set the selector to charge it back up.
I don't have a manual on all this stuff otherwise I could read the book. The owner took great care of the boat why he didn't have the owners manual on this stuff bests me. Thankfully this forum is here with a brain trust of boat owners willing to assist those of us new to the larger boats. Thanks for the assistance in advance

[mmwjr]

I start and run on one battery then switch to the other the next time I go out. This way they see equal use and get charged on a regular basis. Since I am in a rack I do not have shore power to use the charger.

I would only use the both position if I was stuck with two low batteries.

[Baby Blue]

if youre docked with shore power I would install a 2 bank charger if you don't have one already. that way both batteries are being charged regardless of what the switch is set on. From what I read you don't want to select "both" on the switch when charging. If trailering just do what MMWJR stated.
BB

[Kevlar7r]

The best answer would be to install a battery isolator, so both batteries charge from the engine regardless of position, then run on one battery and keep the other as spare.

[Patrick88]

I hate to reopen an old thread, but I have a question. When I purchased my '04 2400scr, the old owner advised me to keep my selector in position 1 and only use position 2 if there was an issue with battery 1. I have had 2 batteries die in about a year and a half, both in position 1 and both while on shore power. Each time, the boat had been docked for over a week and had some sort of constant power running (the first time I had left the refrigerator on, the second time I had left my nav lights on). I am curious if I may have an issue with my battery charger, since my batteries died while connected to shore power? Any guidance? Thank you!

[mmwjr]

While on shore power was the battery charger breaker switched on? If yes is the charger connected to both batteries.

I always turn my switch to off as do not keep the frig on, however it should be a dual volt frig that automatically switches over to shore power when plugged in. Was the main breaker on?

I switch between the 2 batteries every other trip to keep them charged.

[Patrick88]

Thanks for the response. Yes, I was on shore power and the breaker was switched on. I had the battery selector in the 1 position and that was the battery that died. I just brought it to Autozone to be tested and it was completely dead

[mmwjr]

Load on battery had to be higher that chargers output.

Have you tested the charger to be sure it's working?

You may want to install a ampmeter to see what the draw is while sitting in its slip. Also are you using deep cycle or starting batteries? Starting are not designed to be discharged like this and will be damaged.

[Kevlar7r]

Dead as in discharged, or in needs to be replaced?

[Patrick88]

I have yet to test the Charger to ensure that its working. I was planning that for the morning! They were deep cycle batteries (27's).

Kevlar7r, it was dead as in, had to be replaced

[Kevlar7r]

That might be a sign that your charger has failed, and is overcharging the battery and damaging it.



Is it a 1 bank charger connected back through the switch, or a 2 bank connected separately to each battery?

[Patrick88]

It's a 1 bank charger that only charges the battery that is selected through the switch

[Kevlar7r]

Bingo. My money is on failed charger.

[Patrick88]

Thanks so much for the help. Is there a simple way to test the charger?

[Kevlar7r]

Well one sure indicator is voltage. Ideal charging voltage is 13.8 volts. It should have a label that says its output voltage range. I suspect it is actually putting out much higher voltage.



Beyond that, I would suggest googling how to test battery charger.

[mmwjr]

Agree with the failed charge however if a large load was left on it will try to supply more current than its design. It should self protect but if an old unit it may not function as when it was new and a weeks operation under this condition can cause it to fail.

[Patrick88]

Thank you both for you views. I will test the charger tomorrow and see what happens.

[Patrick88]

Hey guys, one more question...I currently have the Xantrex truecharge 10a charger that charges one battery at a time, based on which battery is selected on the switch. Is it possible to buy the Xantrex truecharge 2 and charge both batteries, simultaneously? If so, is it a complicated install?

[mmwjr]

A 2 bank charger is a great choice.

Shore power to the unit is the same as the current one, hot, neutral, ground.

The output is just 2x the current bank 1 hot and bank 2 hot, just run the rate wire from each charger bank to the batt 1 and 2 terminals on the battery switch. Then run 2 negatives one to each battery negative.

[Patrick88]

Negatives from the switch or from the charger to the battery?