Phil Enscoe
Veteran Member
I have a 1986 Albin Trawler. Here is a basic question: how do I identify which bank of batteries is the house and which are the stating batteries. I don't see any idenifying labels.
OMG. I knew I shouldn't have posted this question. Of course, follow the cables!!!! Thank you.
And once you figure it out, label them so that a year from now when you have forgotten, you won’t have to go through it again.
I have a 1986 Albin Trawler. Here is a basic question: how do I identify which bank of batteries is the house and which are the stating batteries. I don't see any idenifying labels.
I agree with several of the comments and would do all of them: trace wires if you can (may be easier said than done), look at battery banks and types of batteries to see if deep cycle or start, disconnect a battery to see what what does and doesn't turn on, and put a volt meter on a battery with the switch in various positions to see what is getting a charge or drain.
My first power boat (the Scout 30 SHADOW FAY) had two identical banks - each bank was 2 x Group 31 deep cycle batteries. You couldn't tell which was start and which was house, or which was connected to "1" and "2" on the battery switch without doing some research. Funny things happen on older boats.
No problem. We love to help, and sometimes we actually do help.
And once you figure it out, label them so that a year from now when you have forgotten, you won’t have to go through it again.
I did as suggested, and it didn't make a difference. So, I think that the two battery banks are wired together. I need to change that so that I can isolate the starter batteries. Thank you.If it's too difficult to trace the cables, you could start by disconnecting a battery positive terminal and see what stops working... house banks or engine start circuit?
Note - do so only with engines OFF. NEVER disconnect an engine start battery while engine is running (or you'll blown the voltage regulator diodes).
I'll plug Jeff Cotes videos here - hours of applicable learning available online.
4 batteries?
1 engine start
1 house
1 generator
1 ???
You are at a huge disadvantage not being able to glance and know what’s what. My first suggestion is to get help from someone willing to help you out. You can make a mess of things if you “wing it” without a basic knowledge of electricity and boat mechanics. There are “gear heads” and “no assembly required” people. Play your strengths.