Tikbalang wrote:
Hello,
I checked the previous posts and Battery faq but I still need a little
advice regarding my boat batteries. (I've been shocked countless times
and had two near hits with lightning so electricity and I have a
dysfunctional relationship probably aggrevated by my own stupidity.)

I own a 2000 Bayliner 2152 and it has two batteries. There is a switch
for 1, 2, All, and None.
I understand the concept about how the batteries are isolated.
So what do I set the switch at? What is the None setting for? Which
battery is 1 and which is 2?
I fear having a dead battery at sea on startup.With my luck, having
two dead batteries is just as easy as having one.

Thanks
Charles

The purpose of that switch is to disconnect your "starting" battery
from the "house" battery when you're using power while anchored and not
replenishing the batteries through the alternator. You want to be sure
you have one fully chargd battery for starting purposes even after the
cabin lights, fridge, etc have pretty well drained the other one.

One of your batteries should be wired to the starter. That will be your
start battery. If you don't know which battery that is, try starting
the engine with the switch set to "1" and then with the switch set to
"2". If your boat is properly wired, the engine will not crank on one
of those two settings and that setting will be your "house" battery.

"Both" can be used when you are underway with the engine running. That
setting will recharge both the house and the starting battery. If you
leave the switch at "1" or "2" while underway, only the starting
battery will be recharged. This setting can also be used if the
starting battery is a bit weak and could use a boost from whatever
might be left in the house battery- but if you routinely have to start
your boat this way it's time to check your connections or maybe even
look for new batteries.

"Off" should only be selected when the engine is not running. Switching
to "off" while the engine is running can damage your alternator. $$OUCH