Battery Switch on or off When I Leave My Boat at the Dock?

"Hey Jeff", writes David, "Is it okay to turn off the house battery switch when I'm on shore power or should I leave it on? Does it matter? Maybe you can review the protocol when leaving your boat at the dock - I usually just boat on weekends."
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[@goodq]

Hi Jeff. I just wanted to take a moment and thank you for the time and effort you have put into this channel. It is a wealth of information. Thank you very much.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

I appreciate that!

[@edwardkiernan]

This is what I was looking for. Not as fun as watching people sail about, but essential information to understand.

[@gynat5968]

Amazed this video has so few likes relative to the quality of the content. One of the most thoroughly informative videos about this subject available. Well done!

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Glad it was helpful!

[@johngardner357]

Straight to the point. This video is exactly what I needed to know. Thank you.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Thanks for the feedback, glad we could help.

[@RR-or5ip]

Good to see you again! Been missing your videos!

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Thank you! Appreciate you watching.

[@geertG550]

Always educational and pleasant to listen

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Really appreciate the feedback - thanks for tuning in!

[@kw7796]

Best video on this subject. Video seems to confirm, when using trickle charger, red boat switch has to be on. Thx

[@1irlmike]

Thank you very much for those answers very very helpful.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Happy to know they are helpful! Appreciate you watching.

[@keithadkins1834]

Thanks for the explanation. Talking about float charging: does that mean that if the battery switch is turned to OFF that I should get a two bank float charger? My application: 2 batteries, outboard, no shore power, small runabout lake boat only use the handful of times a year.

[@andreasnilsson4496]

This channel is nothing short of a goldmine!

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Thanks Andreas, glad our content resonates with you.

[@theoldshooter9011]

One thing to take into consideration is the type of boat as well. I have a tritoon Crest party boat. There is no bilge pump for example. I was happy with the boat with the exception of the wiring. Getting into the helm and looking at the wiring, it looks like Crest just took a bucket full of wire, threw a hand grenade in the bucket and shoved the whole mess under the helm. I installed a Blue Seas Add A Battery kit (with ACR) on the boat. I also ran a 4 AWG cable from the battery area to the helm. This is in addition to the one Crest ran. I put a 12 position fuse panel in the helm to control the wiring and fusing better. I always turn off the switch when I leave the boat even if we are out boating and its overnight. The only thing I have that is constantly on are two Drok battery monitors so I can check the batteries any time I wish. They draw like no power when off and have caused no problems with the batteries no matter how long the boat has set.

[@joncook6015]

Hey Jeff, thank you for this informative video. What about the scenario in which I leave the boat but do not have shore power - should I still turn the battery switch off? Does the decision change with frequency like daily, weekly, or monthly boating? Thanks!

[@chrisgibbons6527]

Hi Jeff, as always very informative thank you. A quick request, is it possible to leave the conceptual diagrams (at 1:35 on the video) as a PDF in the description below with this video and others you often do? I can screen shot the clip but it never prints well. A hard copy of the schematic would be a fantastic reference for the future! Thanks again CG.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Great suggestion. All of our diagrams are also available on our website, www.pysystems.ca/resources/diagrams/

[@ME-qq2dc]

Hi Jeff If i have a start and house battery (crank and deep cycle) and a dual input VSR. If I connect an onboard battery charger like a Noco or Promariner won't the VSR sense that both batteries are charging/charged and open the relay, does this even matter? Can you just hook up a single bank onboard charger and allow the VSR to charge the house battery once the start is at full charge? Any issues with this? Cheers

[@joergtrust6037]

What if something is wrong with your "unswitched" parts. Is there a chance to cut off the battery?

[@tommays56]

I have 24 Hour circuits on the critical items such as bilge pumps and various detectors

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Bang on!

[@truckstopmedia]

Love the videos. Set is looking a little bleak, though!

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Thanks for sharing.

[@parandoseamiraratras]

I would add a new question about this subject. What about the automátic bilge pump? I mean , if you leave in a wet place you could have an entrance of water and having the bilge pump could protect your boat from a mess. Not talking about a salt water leaking, more improbable but possible

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Good point, the bilge pump circuit should be bypass the master DC on/off switch, and be directly connected to the battery via a fuse a dedicated switch.

[@bbigelow0763]

In the diagram, it shows the solar controller on the switched side. In the event that your using a solar panel to recharge/top off the batteries would it be acceptable to have the controller on the unswitched side?

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Good point, in most cased the solar controller should be connected to unswitched positive distribution.

[@cstwong]

Hi Jeff, so the shore power will still charge the batteries, even when the a batteries switches are off? Sorry if it is a stupid question. Thx again!

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Yes and no, your battery charger will only charge the batteries if the charger is directly connected and bypass the switch.

[@brixelus]

Can I use a blue sea 5511e as just a simple on off switch for a boat with a single battery? I have one and would like to avoid buying an on off switch for my single battery in my boat. Thanks.

[@mrwrapper]

My fridge is switched and I leave the switch to house when I leave with the fridge breaker on. I have been wondering if it should be wired before the battery switch.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Fridge should definitely be connected to the switched side of the DC positive.

[@janisozols5672]

Hello! Where should the VHF be connected before or after the DC switch? Thanks for answer in advance!

[@PacificYachtSystems]

VHF radio is commonly listed as "always on" device. Resultingly, you should have the VHF radio connected before the DC disconnect switch.

[@janisozols5672]

@@PacificYachtSystems Thank you very much! Happy New Year!

[@alexgomez9997]

Dude - answer the freaking question!

[@billb48843]

Many of us have inverter / chargers. You have the inverter on the switched side of the "House Switch" isolating the charger portion also. Then you have the ??separate charger?? on the hot side of the switch. Recommending 2 chargers then? Thanx

[@ericfleury3147]

Inverter charger goes on the unswitched side, though it has its own switch (and fuse, obviously). That switch is only needed turned off for servicing, emergency, or if storing the boat long term.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Thanks Eric for the explanation, well said!

[@larrym55]

What is the easiest way to check for stray voltage in the water around your boat or someone elses?

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Using a really good multimeter and also a silver silver chloride reference anode.

[@davidm203]

If you have a xantrex battery monitor. My xantrex gets power from the switched side so turning off the switch means the battery monitor will get out of sync with the batteries. Is this correct?

[@PacificYachtSystems]

No, All battery monitors need to get wired direct to the battery. the xantrax will likly have 2 or 3 power wires. A power, and 1 or 2 voltages senses (2 if a 2nd bank is hooked up for voltage)

[@johnsalles8248]

I was always told if you're off the boat your batteries should be off

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Many people leave food in the fridge and it needs to stay on. So it depends on the boat and how things are done. I would turn the engine switch off though.

[@robertduncan4612]

Jeff, it appears that you have lost some weight. Lookin' good, sir.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Too kind! Thanks for noticing.

[@nwmi493]

i just wait for the arrogant customers to do what they insist regardless of my recommendation; they leave the batteries on, loose shore power, kill batteries, wear out vac flush, burst water lines, run pumps dry..... and then they call me to replace it all. its a win win LOL show me the moneyyyyyyy!

[@rwehuman]

Do not do not do not I repeat do not do not do not turn your battery switch to off while your Motors are running. Do not turn off the battery switch when your motors are running!!!

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Good point. Learnt that lesson the hard way on my first boat, it's not an error i ever want to make again. Thanks for sharing.

[@Sam-mx2pi]

OK, I'll bite. What happens if I do that? Thanks. "Preciate the heads up, btw.

[@Sailspirit99]

@@Sam-mx2pi I think the alternator can be ruined. Would someone please confirm?