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Dual Battery Charging Issues

Reel Turner

New member
I have two Battery's with a Perko Battery switch. The problem I am having is that when singled out#1 starting battery will charge at 13.2volts while running and #2 battery singled out or on the "all" setting flucuates between 11.7 and 12.1 volts. with all load wires disco'd Both Batts read 12.8volts with engine off. I have 14.2 volts at the back of the alternator and from there the feed wire goes thru a noise filter and I lose .4 volts reading 13.8 at the output wire of the noise filter. I have rechecked battery connections and untaped the harness figuring a short between two wires. neither seems to be the case. Anyone have any ideas for me as where to look next? If you need more info on something let me know. I need help.

Thank You Joe
 
If you have a digital ohm meter, disconnect the battery cables and test the resistance on each cable. They should all be very close to zero. If one or more are not, replace the cable.

Then test the resistance across each pole of your switch positions. Again, resistance should be nil. If not, clean or replace the Perko switch.

Otherwise, pull your #2 battery and load test it.
 
You need to find the cause for the rest of the voltage drops (13.8 isn't = 13.2).

You can also use the digital meter to look for voltage drops thruout the positive and negative wiring. place it across your 'noise filter' and you should be able to see the same 0.4V mentioned above. You shouldn't see more than a 0.1V drop across any of the high current connections (starting and charging) if they are in 'good' condition.
 
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