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Old 12-24-2007, 07:59 AM
Jim Jenkins Jim Jenkins is offline
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Battery problem

I will share this experience to help you and others avoid a problem I experienced with a similiar battery set-up but on a stern drive cabin boat (1988).

After a number of years of owning this boat and no problems with the battery or switches I had to get a tow to get back to port while on an off shore fishing trip. The Perko battery set up was #1, #2 or both. with the primary battery for starting the engine only. The #2 for lights, electronics, pumps, etc. and both for everything to give back up for starting. I would typically disconnect all batteries at the terminals when trailering the 450+ miles to Hatteras Village. Mabe overkill on safety??

First day of fishing during mid afternoon, my engine quit and would not start. I had been running off the batteries without any charge going back into the system from the alternator. A really dumb but easy mistake. Once back to the dock, got the batteries charged up, hooked them up correctly and never again such a problem.

In the haste to get underway I did not attach all the wiring correctly and did not pay attention to the alternator guage on my panel. Two errors actually.

I share this embarassment to help anyone who reads these posts to avoid the same.
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