'07 AR230HO System Voltage

[Eric Popper]

I have a Lowrance GPS that I use and one of the fields is voltage.

Normally, while underway last season, I remember seeing readings around 12 volts or slightly higher. This season I am seeing readings around 11 volts.

While moored on battery power, I see readings around 10.5 volts.

Everything is functioning normally and the engines start with enthusiasm.

I have 2 batteries wired through a Perko switch and normally run on "both."
Over the winter, I charged them 3 times while stored in my garage with a trickle charger.

I am wondering if my batteries are getting old and just not holding a good charge, which is causing the stators to overwork or if there is another problem.

Thanks,

Eric

 

[Gym]

Sounds like you may have a dead cell @Eric Popper. I would separate the batteries through your Perko switch. I think one battery is good, the other not and by selecting both through your Perko switch you are masking your problem. You can bring your batteries to any Autozone for free load testing. Not sure how you're wired but generally if you keep your switch in both all the time you run the risk of running your start battery flat while using the stereo while at anchor

 

[Eric Popper]

I've always run them together to keep them both "charged." I know that the stator does minimum charging at best. Should I alternate them each time?

Where I store the boat, it isn't easy to do a mid-season charge on the batteries without removing them.

E

 

[bronze_10]

We have two batts and a small trickle charger... if the boat is at home or over the winter storage I keep switching the charger/maintainer between both batts... I like to keep them at 100% .. we only run on one battery when we are on the lake... if that battery decided to give up the ghost suddenly I can switch to the other one. We alternate which battery we use each time we go out but always keep them plugged into the charger while at home.

 

[Eric Popper]

Thanks for the information.

I trickle charge a few times over the winter with the batteries removed. I have also read about the merits of running on two or having a starting battery versus house battery.

The next time I am at the lake, I am going to have both batteries tested and see if there is a bad cell or battery. I'll report back.

E

 

[Gym]

I've always run them together to keep them both "charged." I know that the stator does minimum charging at best. Should I alternate them each time?

Where I store the boat, it isn't easy to do a mid-season charge on the batteries without removing them.

E

If you have an ACR that will dictate which of the two batteries or both need charging. Without an ACR you can leave your switch in both while underway but should select the appropriate battery for starting or while at anchor. That way you won't kill both and become stranded.

 

[Eric Popper]

Final Answer:

I intended to pull the batteries to have them checked but got too busy. My marina (Chain of Lakes Marina, they rock!) did it for me and found one of the two to be bad. Replaced, problem solved!

Eric

 

[Jbaref2]

Anyone have a wiring diagram on how it should be wired bought used ar230 with two batteries but not sure it's wired right to separate starting from audio

 

[Bruce]

Anyone have a wiring diagram on how it should be wired bought used ar230 with two batteries but not sure it's wired right to separate starting from audio

The starter cables are larger than the house circuit. There should be a matching pair of cables for each engine then the smaller pair is the house circuit.