House batteries

[PMR#47]

I have always left the house battery switch on when I get back to the dock and plug into shore power. I also leave the battery charger on. Is there a need to have the house battery switch on when I'm on dockside power? My dock mates are 5-/5- on the subject.

 

[NorthernFocus]

So you're likely to get the same 50/50 difference of opinions here. But I'd ask why do you leave it on? If there's no particular reason to do so then why not turn it off? Boat electrical systems and devices are subject to moisture/corrosion and though rare random short/failures are possible.

 

[Red Raven]

I have always left the house battery switch on when I get back to the dock and plug into shore power. I also leave the battery charger on. Is there a need to have the house battery switch on when I'm on dockside power? My dock mates are 5-/5- on the subject.

None of the battery switches need to be on for the battery charger to charge the batteries. The charger is connected to the batteries prior to the switches.

The primary reason I leave our house battery switch on is because we leave the refrigerator on to minimize the restocking of some basic items between trips as well as to has ice on the boat when we arrive for a trip. I also leave the hot water heater on so we have hot water on arrival. It’s really just personal preference and how often you use the boat etc. Of course I turn all the switches off when the boat is in storage.

Curt

 

[venajeff]

If you are plugged in and the battery charger is on it probably doesn't matter either way. There would be less risk of an electrical fire starting with it off but that should be very minimal. I noticed on my boat that some things that draw continuous current were wired directly, so turning off the switch doesn't really turn everything off anyways. I leave my switch on whenever the boat is in use, mainly to keep my beer cold. Then turn it off when in storage.

 

[Submariner]

I have always left the house battery switch on when I get back to the dock and plug into shore power. I also leave the battery charger on. Is there a need to have the house battery switch on when I'm on dockside power? My dock mates are 5-/5- on the subject.

Your battery charger will work whether or not your house switch is on, keeping your batteries topped of.
If you shut off your house switch your refrigerators will turn off, as they only run 12 volt DC from the house bank.