Dual Battery Setup Issues

[GeauxDeep]

Hi all. I have a 2015 AR210 that came stock with 1 battery. I had a place install some stereo equipment last year and so i also had them add a second battery, a deep cycle. i have a 1/2/all/off switch. The original stock battery is 1. it powers everything properly by itself just like it is supposed to. i don't have an onboard charger yet so i have to remove them regularly for charging and as soon as i hook up the deep cycle i have power to everything even with the switch in off. i completely disconnected battery 1 and still have power to everything no matter what position the switch is in. so obviously i have messed something up. can anyone shed some light on this for me. obviously i need to move some wires around but I'm no electrical guy by any means and I'm scared to death I'm gonna mess this up. hopefully its something simple. each battery should power everything when the switch is in that respective position right? any help is greatly appreciated. i really wanna get this figured out so i can mount an onboard charger and be done with connecting/disconnecting and taking them in and out of the boat. thanks guys!

 

[ripler]

Each battery should go to their own post on the switch. All of the red wires with the exception of the battery wires should go to the same post. The switch should act as you described. My bet is that you have the deep cycle battery on the wrong post

 

[GeauxDeep]

Each battery should go to their own post on the switch. All of the red wires with the exception of the battery wires should go to the same post. The switch should act as you described. My bet is that you have the deep cycle battery on the wrong post

All of that is right. Each battery to its respective post. All other red wires are on the output post.

 

[Compatico]

All of that is right. Each battery to its respective post. All other red wires are on the output post.

Both batteries should be charging in the boat when the engines are running and the switch is in the ALL position - no need for a charger unless you kill the batteries at the dock or in the driveway. You should have it on ALL to charge up, then switch to 2 (deep cycle) for anchoring and listening to tunes. Keep 1 for starting the engines if 2 gets low, then switch to ALL to charge them both again.

Boats that come with dual batteries are wired slightly differently to allow the operator to leave it on 1 all the time when in use, and both batteries charge when the engines are running, yet 2 is isolated as a backup to start the engines in the event 1 is run down too low. If you know what you're doing you can rewire it like that, but I'd suggest you just stick to your current setup or have someone in the know do it for you.

 

[Beachbummer]

You have received complete and clear advice, but to express it even more plainly....(Sorry if it's overkill) The switch, on its back should have 3 posts labeled 1, 2, and something else. (Common, Engine,Power, etc.) The positive of each battery should be wired to the matching numbered post, and everything else, that draws positive power, should be on that third post. The grounds (Negative/black wires) should all be connected together/in common, likely now at the battery closest to the switch. OFF position should mean no power to anything.

 

[ripler]

One other thing, those posts for the wires are pretty close together, be sure that the wire isn't turned on the post and touching another post.

 

[GeauxDeep]

Everything looks good on the back of the switch. wires not touching anything they shouldnt be. positive wires from each post going to their proper post on switch. all other positive going to "output." but there is a second wire going to the positive post of the deep cycle battery. maybe thats not right. i'll trace it out tonight when i get home and see where its coming from.