Boat Wiring - Power with Battery Disconnected?

[SimonP85]

Should this happen...

Replacing a battery yesterday I discovered something that doesn't seem correct.

With battery 1 fully disconnected I had left the second battery connected but had to remove the negative connection briefly in order to fit the new battery into the space. I was expecting the power to die but oddly the lights remained on although dimmer. The positive connection to battery 2 was still made. Is this normal? Is the circuit earthing some other way, but then how is this completing the circuit to the battery? Or is something not quite right here.

Any thoughts much appreciated!

 

[No Regrets]

Either shore power was on, or you have another battery!!

 

[Davegriff]

Longshot - have you got some piece of equipment with a self-contained battery switched on? Or else as no rerets says another battery. Otherwise your discription of fully disconnected isn't true. Are the leads totally disconected from the batteries?

 

[oldvarnish]

I once had a radio that came on and off with the batteries completely disconnected. Very puzzled, till I remembered the solar panel.

 

[SimonP85]

Pretty sure there isn't another battery... There are solar panels though, is this it and the solar panel is earthing through to the engine block / anodes / water?

 

[Davegriff]

I once had a radio that came on and off with the batteries completely disconnected. Very puzzled, till I remembered the solar panel.

Excellent thought. Must remember that.

 

[RichardS]

Pretty sure there isn't another battery... There are solar panels though, is this it and the solar panel is earthing through to the engine block / anodes?

Throw a towel over the solar panels and the lights should die immediately.

Richard

 

[SimonP85]

Thanks all.

I think the solar panel solves the mystery which is a little embarrassing as I really should have thought of that! Good to know they work though!