Electrics puzzle

Alan.
Reading again your post, do I take it then that I should be turning off the service battery switch when starting the engine? Given that I turn it on when first getting onto the boat to give me fridge/VHF/Nav instrument power. If I don't I presume I'm drawing on both the service battery and the cranking battery to start the engine? Which I presume is not good for the service battery.
 
Is there a Beneteau Owners' Association with a technical panel?
 
Cliff,
To be pedantic, then Yes. But given that Beneteau install two batteries exactly the same for starting and service then in that case it is not really necessary. However, if one has two different types for starting and services, then yes it would be "correct" to respect their "correct" usage. (I'm personally of the buy two (3) cheapo batteries, keep them well charged and change them every 3 years persuasion.)

Alan.
 
Yes, My apologies, that is the approximate price of one in UK currency. You are correct I meant a 3way rotary switch with a 1,2, or "both" position. A further point is, buy one from a reputable supplier like Vetus or whoever you use where you are. I have seen some that are copies made in China and fall apart inside after a while! Be very careful, as this switch is carrying very high current when you start the engine you don't need one that will start a fire!
Also regardless of all the other posts on the subject you don't need to be an electrical engineer to see the logic here. I had assumed as your diagram suggests that the straps across the switches are on the output terminal not the battery input terminal. I think you can see that if you just remove the link strap between the engine start battery and the service battery (or batteries) everything will still work OK but you will not be able to start the engine from the service battery in an emergency. If you effectively replace this strap with a 2 way rotary switch you will be able to start the engine from either in an emergency but if you leave the switch in no 1 you won't be able to flatten the engine start battery from your other services. You also won't need to remember to switch one on and the other off when at sea or even in harbour. Just isolate batteries when you leave the boat.
In my opinion the omission of such a switch was no more than a cost saving exercise by the builder in the first place and is a sad reflection of the industry. The attitude seems to be "if the customer does not understand the importance of something why spend money fitting it?"
Edit: Don't forget to make sure the charging cable from the splitter is connected to the original switch not the rotary switch so that regardless of the RS position the engine start battery will receive a charge.
 
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