[Rhodes22-list] Battery switch question: 1, 2 or both

[The Rhodes 22 Email List]

A general information note from the general (boats)

Those boats that are delivered with two batteries, and also lucky enough 
to have the 4 position battery switch, should find that the "Off" 
position takes both batteries out of all systems except the solar 
charging wiring.  The "Both" position has both batteries connected to 
the house circuit and the motor related circuit. This position is for 
when the need is to be using the house and motor circuits at close time 
intervals.  Otherwise use the "1" or "2" position for either the house 
or the motor circuits (I never remember which goes to which but luckily 
the electrons do). This isolates the batteries so if one breaks down it 
will not take the other with it.

ss (obsolete Purdue BSEE)


On 10/16/14, 7:06 AM, The Rhodes 22 Email List wrote:
> Bob,
>
> Traditionally, on larger diesel engine boats, the 2 way battery switch is
> designed to separate your batteries into a bank for the house and a bank
> for the engine.  You use the engine bank to start the engine, switch to
> both while the engine is running to charge both banks and then use the
> house bank once the engine has been shut off.  This helps to ensure that
> you don't run your batteries down while sailing to the point where you
> can't start the engine.
>
> As Rummy pointed out, your strategy will depend on how your boat is
> acutually wired.  I've looked at a few rhodes and even did some work for
> Stan on the electical system of a couple of boats and I will say that Stan
> does not follow the generally accepted marine elecrical wiring practices.
> If you really want to get into it, I suggest you read Don Casey's books on
> Sailboat electrical systems.
>
> Sailboat Electrics Simplified
> http://www.amazon.com/Sailboat-Electrics-Simplified-Don-Casey/dp/0070366497
>
> Sailboat Electrical Systems: Improvement, Wiring, and Repair
> http://www.amazon.com/Sailboat-Electrical-Systems-Improvement-Library-ebook/dp/B007VLTJ30
>
> Hank
>
> On Wed, Oct 15, 2014 at 9:01 PM, The Rhodes 22 Email List <
> rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org> wrote:
>
>> Next question in my continuing education of how to operate and care for my
>> 2014 Recycled 1998 Rhodes . . .
>>
>> What is the appropriate, or best, position for the battery switch?  1, 2,
>> or
>> both. It appears that everything that uses 12 volts is on both batteries.
>> What I use the batteries for mostly is outboard lift, starting the
>> outboard,
>> and sometimes charging my cell phone.
>>
>> Thanks.
>> Bob
>> Yet-to-be-named 2014 Recycled 1998 Rhodes 22
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> View this message in context:
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>> Sent from the Rhodes 22 mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
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