I spent the weekend trying to figure out what batteries do what on my boat and how that relates to the "Perko" selector switch on my electrical panel. The boat is a 1991 Ocean Alexander 44'.
According to the build sheet from OA, the switch should be wired #1 position 1-8D battery to start port engine, #2 position 1-8D battery to start strbrd engine.
How the switch is actually wired, position #1 - 2-6 volt Trojans wired to 12 volts used as house bank, yeah very small house bank. Position #2 wired to the 2 - 8D batteries which are used to start both engines.
Here's my concern; using up all of my starter batteries while at anchor by selecting position #2 on the switch or having about 4 hours worth of battery using the #1 setting for the "house" bank. I do have a generator to use to charge the batteries if I drain them.
One option I've thought of is going back to stock, and having 1-8D battery isolated for each engine. Then I could use 1 battery for my house bank and still have a fully charged one to start both engines. Then I started to wonder if the 2-6 volt batteries, currently in poor condition, would start my Caterpillar 3208's. This way I wouldn't have to worry about draining the 2-8D's or re-wiring the selector switch. All that would be necessary would be to replace the 2-6 volt batteries.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
According to the build sheet from OA, the switch should be wired #1 position 1-8D battery to start port engine, #2 position 1-8D battery to start strbrd engine.
How the switch is actually wired, position #1 - 2-6 volt Trojans wired to 12 volts used as house bank, yeah very small house bank. Position #2 wired to the 2 - 8D batteries which are used to start both engines.
Here's my concern; using up all of my starter batteries while at anchor by selecting position #2 on the switch or having about 4 hours worth of battery using the #1 setting for the "house" bank. I do have a generator to use to charge the batteries if I drain them.
One option I've thought of is going back to stock, and having 1-8D battery isolated for each engine. Then I could use 1 battery for my house bank and still have a fully charged one to start both engines. Then I started to wonder if the 2-6 volt batteries, currently in poor condition, would start my Caterpillar 3208's. This way I wouldn't have to worry about draining the 2-8D's or re-wiring the selector switch. All that would be necessary would be to replace the 2-6 volt batteries.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.