battery charging

[jh121]

Hi all
My panel's 1,2,both switch is not functioning. I have 2 batteries in parallel. I wonder if I croc clip my solar panel +ve clip to +ve terminal of 1 batt and -ve clip to -ve terminal of the other batt, will both batt be charged ? Thks

 

[William_H]

I am a bit confused by your set up. Do you have 2 batteries in parallel Hard wired and another battery for the engine also connected to the 1,2,both switch.
Or are the 2 batteries which you describe as in aparallel only in parallel when the 1,2,both switch is in both position.
Your suggested arrangement would be OK if both batteries are hard wired in parallel if not it won't charge. In which case or just to be sure run a wire from one battery positive to the other battery positive just for the solar charging.
If you have a digital multimeter it is worth using it on amps scale with the leads in place of one crocoldile clip of the solar leads. ie solar croc clip to red meter lead and balck meter lead to +ve of battery(s). If in decent sun this will indicate charge current.
I do wonder what has happened to your 1,2,both switch. They don't usually give a lot of trouble. Did the knob fall off or is it jambed. Or is there a bad contact? good luck olewill

 

[jh121]

Hi olewill
Thank you once again for your reply. Once again because you helped me with my last post. It also helps that we are in the same time zone.
I have 2 batteries only. Up to now I have to switch to "both" to charge both batt. Note that this is the switch on the switch panel and not the big engine starting knob switch . I cannot recall if the batt are hard wired in parallel. My boat is located more than 500km away.
As to what happened to my switch..... well the boat got struck by lightning.... but that's another story

 

[Iliade]

No that should not work as there will be no circuit. To create a circuit you'll also need to put a lead across the positive terminals. (I can however already see the purists running for their pitchforks)

I disassembled my dead 1-2-B switch and cleaned it, such that it now works as good as new, not that it was ever very good, but the lightning strike would suggest your's may be beyond redemption. Maybe worth a look though?

 

[lpdsn]

Just get a set of car jump leads. I charged my engine battery from the domestics like that for about six months before I final sorted out the previous owner's set up.