Battery Switch

[GrumpyPawPaw]

I have 2 sets of batteries on my 30ft. sailboat. 2 for the engine and running lights and 2 for radio, tape deck,bilge,etc. both independent of each other with their own battery switch. Yesterday, I decided to use position "2" for the radio since I normally run position "1" all the time and didn't get anything to come on from that panel. When I checked both batteries, they read "fully charged". I then went back to position "1" and everything worked fine. Are my cables hooked up wrong or is there another reason for this?

[landmineop]

It sounds like you have an open circuit path. A few minutes with an ohm meter should find the problem easliy enough if you have a circuit diagram. If not, you'll need to take some time tracing the circuit and keep the information for future reference. Either way it should not take much time to find.

[mitiempo]

Best to trace the battery wiring and draw a diagram for future reference. Check connections for loose lugs and corrosion as well.

[MarkSF]

Originally Posted by GrumpyPawPaw

I have 2 sets of batteries on my 30ft. sailboat. 2 for the engine and running lights and 2 for radio, tape deck,bilge,etc. both independent of each other with their own battery switch. Yesterday, I decided to use position "2" for the radio since I normally run position "1" all the time and didn't get anything to come on from that panel. When I checked both batteries, they read "fully charged". I then went back to position "1" and everything worked fine. Are my cables hooked up wrong or is there another reason for this?

Yes, your cables are probably hooked up wrongly. What do you mean when you said each battery has it's own switch? And there's a 1,2,both switch as well?

[GrumpyPawPaw]

The PO had two panels put in with each having its own battery switch. One panel operates engine,lights and a separate panel with switch operates radio,bilge, stereo,interior lights.

[mitiempo]

Are they 1,2,both switches or on/off switches?

[GrumpyPawPaw]

both are 1,2, both & off

[JimsCAL]

Assume you are using a volt meter the check the charge on the batteries. I would also use a battery specific gravity tester. How is the alternator connected to the two battery banks for charging?

[mitiempo]

If you have 2 separate 1,2,both switches for 2 banks (one not needed) that doubles the need to find out how it is wired. Simple is always better.

[Maine Sail]

Originally Posted by GrumpyPawPaw

both are 1,2, both & off

Gotta love PO's......

You really would be best served to trace the wires then mark/label where they connect to what switches for future reference..