I have a boat with twin engines, two battery banks (port & stbd) and two battery switches and am not clear on battery switch choices or recommended operation. The battery switch position choices are: Off, 1, 2 or all. Switch position #1 connect to the stbd battery bank. Switch position #2 connects to the port battery bank. Switch position "all" connects to both battery banks. The battery switch for the port engine provides for connecting to the stbd bank when switching to #1. The stbd engine can be connected to the port bank by switching to #2. Either engine or both engines can be connected to both battery banks by choosing "all".
When cruising, what position should the battery switches be in? If "all" is selected on both switches, the alternator output from both engines will be directed into the combined battery banks. Is this a problem? Should the port engine alternator output be directed to the port battery bank and the stbd engine alternator output directed to the stbd bank, which keeps the banks isolated?
I previously had a twin engine boat with twin battery banks and always had both battery switches in the "all"position and never had a problem.
Any thoughts on this? Comments & suggestions welcome
When cruising, what position should the battery switches be in? If "all" is selected on both switches, the alternator output from both engines will be directed into the combined battery banks. Is this a problem? Should the port engine alternator output be directed to the port battery bank and the stbd engine alternator output directed to the stbd bank, which keeps the banks isolated?
I previously had a twin engine boat with twin battery banks and always had both battery switches in the "all"position and never had a problem.
Any thoughts on this? Comments & suggestions welcome