Why two batteries are a good idea

[boristhebold]

Returned from a week in Devon last weekend so decided to take my rib out for a spin on Sunday as I had been having withdrawal symptons. All was going well until shortly after going through Poole Harbour Entrance the electronics started playing up, VHF buzzed loudly and died, then the GPS went down, then the sterio system started sounding strange, then the engine started misbehaving, noticed the battery indicated was showing around 12.2V when usually it shows 13.8V. Shut everything off once out of traffic and switched to my second battery and everything came back fine. So I strongly expect my first battery which is old (had second fitted with a switch last year when I bought the RIB) needs retiring.

I am so very glad I had the second battery fitted.

[MarkWildey]

Have suffered that myself a couple of times over the years and it's always nice when the backup plan works!

[HUMBER P4VWL]

glad it worked. though curious as to why you only use one when out and about.

We have two, but run on both when out and about, then switch to one when we leave the boat. Then both get fully charged when out and about and when we leave it, if the bilge sticks for example and flattens the battery, we have the other to start up the engine and charge them both again.

Just a thought. Though there are many ways to skin a cat.

[Cookee]

Originally Posted by boristhebold

Returned from a week in Devon last weekend so decided to take my rib out for a spin on Sunday as I had been having withdrawal symptons. All was going well until shortly after going through Poole Harbour Entrance the electronics started playing up, VHF buzzed loudly and died, then the GPS went down, then the sterio system started sounding strange, then the engine started misbehaving, noticed the battery indicated was showing around 12.2V when usually it shows 13.8V. Shut everything off once out of traffic and switched to my second battery and everything came back fine. So I strongly expect my first battery which is old (had second fitted with a switch last year when I bought the RIB) needs retiring.

I am so very glad I had the second battery fitted.

I would check the wiring, especially the earth and have the battery checked at a garage or similar before spending any money - you never know!

[boristhebold]

Originally Posted by HUMBER P4VWL

glad it worked. though curious as to why you only use one when out and about.

We have two, but run on both when out and about, then switch to one when we leave the boat. Then both get fully charged when out and about and when we leave it, if the bilge sticks for example and flattens the battery, we have the other to start up the engine and charge them both again.

Just a thought. Though there are many ways to skin a cat.

Mark - I use battery 1 on one weekend and battery 2 on the next weekend, dont ask me why, I think I do it so I could tell if one battery went bad and obvisouly every other weekend one gets charged off the engine. Im sure there is some logic in that but cant pinpoint it. laughing out loud. Hey it worked, if both had been used I may not have spotted the bad one until too late as they are not connected to any seperate battey monitors.

[willk]

Cookee is right - test your battery and cables first. I'd physically swap the batteries over and see if the problem moves, a handy, free test.

A thorough wiring check is essential in these situations.

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by HUMBER P4VWL

glad it worked. though curious as to why you only use one when out and about.

Just a thought. Though there are many ways to skin a cat.

There are indeed.

Personally, I usually try to run on one battery on the way out, and the other on the return. The only time I have the switch set to BOTH is when one battery has trouble cranking the motor (the batteries are slightly undersized per Yammie's specs.)

I usually pop them on a 6 amp charger for an hour or two prior to leaving home.

Works for me.

jky

[Mollers]

Maybe a Devon Pikey nicked the elecerric.

Bedajim had a about 5mm of wear material nicked off of his clutch plate whilst down there this weekend.

[HUMBER P4VWL]

All make sense. Beauty of the forum, you learn what different people do and why, then apply the best logic to your own circumstances/needs.

Happy boating!!

[BruceB]

I have two batteries operating via a VSR so no switching and batteries are always both fully charged and drain protected.
Worked fine for over two years now and never had a problems with batteries.