Battery Issue

[ratchetdu]

Quick question?

I recently just put my batteries back in for the season after charging them back up. When installed, everything seems to work fine, except when i turn off the main switch, engines will continue to run. No issues when using the keys? Shut off fine. Is this normal for them to continue running? I thought the main switch would kill eveything if turned to the off position? I have daul batteries, and it does this in Position 1, 2 or Combined 1&2. Not sure if this has done it in the past 5 seasons or not? I was just messing around when i realized it does this...

Also, battery 1 isnt holding a charge for very long. It died on us out last weekend after very limited use, floating. Switched to number 2 for rest of the day and no issues. Related? Is something hooked up wrong creating an unnecessary draw? Battery is about 2 years old, charged after every use.

Thanks!!!

 

[Seadeals]

Once running, the magnetos provide electrical current for ignition regardless of a battery connection. That current is only interrupted by the ignition switch or a problem with the magneto so I believe that to be normal.

 

[txav8r]

But you do NOT want to turn off the batteries with the engines running!!! It can be damaging to the entire engine electrical system and wiring harness...because your killing the computer controls!!! The ECM needs the battery, as does the charging system. I doubt you did any damage, but I would caution against turning off the battery switch with engines running.

 

[MikeyL]

@txav8r ........... EXCELLENT advice for all of us, Mel.

 

[ratchetdu]

Thanks guys!!! Just wanted to make sure all was good. Its definitley not something I would do all of the time, or ever for that matter, since it took 5 years for me to do it the first time!!!

 

[txav8r]

I figured! We all do things accidentally we didn't intend to! For instance, the "new to me" motorhome, is home and plugged in currently to 110 20A service. It should run most house systems except the A/C units. Well, I noticed it making a sound I couldn't place and attributed it to just being new to me without further investigation. I didn't turn on any systems switches yet as we haven't do anything with it...yet, the water heater electric and gas were on...it was the propane heating the tank, that is drained!!! My Discovery forum tells me it probably burnt out the electric heater element. But I went and flipped it on, and it drew 10A so I am guessing it is still good, thank goodness!