Battery switching

[mattfx]

Hi, I’m sure this a newbie question, but here goes. I’ve got a twin battery system on my new (to me) Avon rib. Switch as shown in the picture. Boat has two bilges, one below the deck, one above. If I set the battery switch to 0 “off” while the boat is left on the water, is it likely that the bilges are wired to still operate? How would I be able to tell? Thanks.

[babbot1]

It should be wired that way but to confirm turn the switch off then manually turn on the bilge pumps. Depends on the style you have.
If it's an arm style float switch just lift the arm up.
If it's an all in one there is usually a little lever on the side to manually lift the float switch internally.
If it's a new style electronic one there is usually a spot to place both fingers to activate.
If it's one of those that turns on every so often, then I donno. Never had one of those. Sorry.

You should test your pumps every so often. I test at least once in the spring before I launch.

[Pikey Dave]

On a slightly separate note, I see you have an Etec engine. Never ever operate the battery switch with the engine running, you risk damaging the (very expensive) EMM. Also make sure the connections on the switch/batteries/engine are clean & secure.

[neil.mccrirrick]

Tip a bucket of water in and see what position the switch needs to be in to empty

[Rubber Rocket]

If your boat has a twin battery system (an engine starter battery & a second "house" battery for appliances - gps radio etc) then typically one of the bilge pumps should be connected directly to the house battery - i.e. automatically comes on if float switch activated. This way if the boat is "switched off" & left moored you won't come back to a swamped boat. Recommend you look at the wiring diagrams for blue sea systems & Google search "new wire marine - wiring guide". I used this to inform my winter 2020 refurb of my boat, American but very good.

[mattfx]

Originally Posted by neil.mccrirrick

Tip a bucket of water in and see what position the switch needs to be in to empty

Ha! Being a non technical type, that was all I came up with ….. think I’ll try it ..

[GuyC]

If it is a) connected up and b) working I expect it will empty with the switch in all positions. Ordinarily you have a feed to the bilge pump from the battery side of the isolation switch which may (or may not) go through its own switch.

The type of isolation switch you have is usually to combine batteries or banks of batteries that do the same thing. You quite often find with a RIB that the two battery set up is one for starting the engine and the other for the 'hotel' loads.

[neil.mccrirrick]

Yup but I think the op wants to know will the bilge work when the switch is “off”. A bucket of water will confirm that provided the bilge is working of course

A lot easier than tracing wire

[gpsguru]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

On a slightly separate note, I see you have an Etec engine. Never ever operate the battery switch with the engine running, you risk damaging the (very expensive) EMM. Also make sure the connections on the switch/batteries/engine are clean & secure.

That is also true of any alternator system, as they will fry with no load cell.

Most decent switches will be ‘make before break’ which will not cause any issues.

Cheap switches will be ‘break before make’ which is the perfect recipe for frying EMM’s, ECU’s, and alternators.

[GuyC]

Originally Posted by neil.mccrirrick

Yup but I think the op wants to know will the bilge work when the switch is “off”. A bucket of water will confirm that provided the bilge is working of course

A lot easier than tracing wire

I did suggest it would work in all positions although maybe I should have clarified that included the off position as it is probably independent of the isolation switch.

I agree with the bucket of water idea but to clarify (for Neil's benefit) that should be poured directly into the bilge rather than over the isolator.

[mattfx]

Originally Posted by GuyC

I did suggest it would work in all positions although maybe I should have clarified that included the off position as it is probably independent of the isolation switch.



I agree with the bucket of water idea but to clarify (for Neil's benefit) that should be poured directly into the bilge rather than over the isolator.

I actually laughed out loud at the last bit. Very funny Sir!

[neil.mccrirrick]

Lol like that [emoji23][emoji106]