[C320-list] Battery Selector Switch

[Vpweikel at aol.com]

We had what I call a strange and unexpected occurrence while anchored out  
this weekend.
 
Before retiring for the night, I was careful to put the selector switch on  
battery #2 only so that in case the battery bank was drawn down, I'd have  
battery #1 for a back-up to start the engine.
 
As I expected, the anchor light and a few other small miscellaneous uses  
drew the battery down low enough that the engine would not crank ( I purposely  
turned the reefer circuit off ).  Feeling good about the back-up plan, I  
switched over to battery #1 and turned the key.  Nothing !  Both  batteries were 
down.
 
I know for a fact that the batteries are at least 5 years old since I  have 
not replaced them.  The boat is a 1996 and for all I know the  batteries could 
be 10 years old which is well beyond the normal expected life  span.  But that 
doesn't explain to me satisfactorily why both banks were  discharged with the 
selector switch set to #2 only.  Surely, even a tired,  old battery would 
hold charge for 14 hours - but maybe I'm wrong.
 
Has anyone experienced this ?
 
I'm beginning to think that something must be wired wrong or the selector  
switch failed.  This was the first real "test" of the system that we  have done. 
 Any suggestions on how to make the proper checks of the system  both switch 
and house wiring ?
 
I am planning on replacing the batteries soon.  At the moment, I  just think 
this should not have happened given the precautions that were  taken.
 
 
The good news is that, the new portable 1200 Watt generator was on-board  and 
in 30 minutes running time the batteries were topped up enough to start the  
engine and get us underway. 
 
 
Paul Weikel
Second Chance
#361
Georgetown, MD
 



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