Kevin,

Here is a boat wiring diagram for the marine electrical on my 2008 Clearwater 2200WA with a 225HP Yamaha.

I have a two battery configuration where one is used for starting and the other is the house battery for electronics and the like. I have both boat batteries connected via a dual circuit marine battery switch (5511e) and both batteries are charged via isolated leads from the outboard since this outboard provides an accessory charging lead in addition to the primary lead to the starting circuit.

I keep both batteries off via the battery switch when the boat is not in use and the only direct wiring to the battery is for the bilge pump float switch.

The other day, I could not start the motor because of a discharged starting battery after the boat had sat for several days. I switched to the combine mode and the motor started. Ran all day with no issues.

Two questions, please: Is there a problem with the boat battery wiring or charging circuit? Will this circuit accommodate a battery charger if the boat battery switch is in the off position?

Thanks.

Frank

Hi Frank,

This is a great marine electrical system and the dual circuit PLUS battery switch is one of the key components. My best guess on the dead battery would be the device that is connected to the mystery red lead connected to your starting battery (at the switch). It is probably a stereo memory wire or some type of memory device.

With the switch in the off position, you will need to use a dual output battery charger or manually connect your charger to one battery and then to the other. If you are installing a dual output charger, I strongly recommend connecting the battery at the switch and your ground bus and not at the battery. Too many battery connections become confusing and the mix of small and large wires on the terminals always causes a loose connection.

Hope this helps and nice wiring diagram,

Kevin

Hi Kevin,

I have a 1987 Chris Craft 41′ Constellation.

I want to eliminate what is there now for the charging system and install a smart battery switch system from your partners at EzAcDc.

I would like your help in configuring the best solution.

The boat has twin engines with 105 amp alternators on each motor and a starter battery for each. There is also a generator with its own battery and two very large house batteries. So in total there are 5 batteries.

The boat has a marine battery charger with multiple charge outlets, an inverter and also a bow thruster.

Can you suggest a system for my boat using smart marine battery switch technology or what you believe would be my best alternative to set this system up?

Thanks,

Doug

Hi Doug,

A good solution for your marine electrical system would be to use two of our Hours More Power – Smart Battery Switch Kits between your engine batteries and your house battery bank. You will also want to add a VSR between your generator battery and your house battery bank combined with an ON/OFF battery switch.

Under normal operation:

• Turn both of your engine battery switches on.
• When the engines charge that batteries up to 13.7 volts, they will automatically start charging your house bank.
• When the house bank reaches 13.7 volts, the VSR between the house battery and generator battery will connect to allow the generator battery to charge.

When you turn your engines off:

• The house batteries will remain connected to the engine batteries until the voltage drops below 12.8 volts. At that point, the VSRs will open up and keep you from draining your engine batteries. The same will happen with your generator battery.

In the event of a dead starting battery:

• Simply rotate the dead engine’s battery switch to “Plus”. This will mechanically parallel that engine battery to the house to allow the engine to start.

In the event that your generator battery is dead:

• Either turn ON the battery switch connected between the generator battery and house battery to mechanically parallel them, or start up one of your engines.

Please let me know if this sounds like a system you would be interested in – and if you have any other questions. Also, both EzAcDc and our other retail site, Boat Wiring Store offer any custom boat battery cables that you may need to complete this system.

Thanks

Kevin

Kevin,

I have questions about a VSR and using it on my boat.

I saw the Smart Marine Battery Switch wiring diagram on your sister site – they were both very informative. But why is it necessary to put a dual battery switch in the mix?

I am assuming that I would run normal with the switch open to both batteries. This way the VSR can manage the dual batteries, correct? When will I ever isolate and only use battery 1 or battery 2? I am assuming in this second scenario, I would be defeating the VSR, correct?

Thanks,
Robert

Hi Robert,

The two main reasons for the battery switch are to allow for a complete power down of your system and to give the ability for an emergency start by paralleling the batteries.

On our partner boat wiring site, EzAcDc, we use a Blue Seas Dual Circuit plus switch instead of the normal battery switch. It acts as an ON/OFF battery switch for both your engine and house battery. In the normal ON position, the batteries are only connected together by the VSR. If you rotate the switch to PLUS, it mechanically parallels the batteries in an emergency.

Hope this helps,

Kevin

Kevin,

Thanks for the explanation, I understand it better now.

But this leaves me to new questions.

1. Is the “safe starting level” programmable/customizable?
2. Does it matter if I have two different batteries, ie: a starting battery, and a deep cell trolling motor/entertainment “House” Battery? Or, should the batteries be identical?

Thanks,

Robert

Hi Robert,

The safe starting level on the VSR is not programmable. It engages at 13.7 volts and opens at 12.8 volts.

As long as both batteries have the same basic chemistry, it works great. Using a lead acid starting battery with a lead deep cycle house is a very common application.

Please let me know if you have any other questions,

Kevin