Prestige 36 Battery Isolators and controls

[hpwhite]

Could anyone tell me how the battery set up on 36 is configured. I am curious as to any manual settings and how the motor battery is preserved when not on shore power? I recently knocked off the 'Batter Charger' switch on the dash electric meters, to which when I arrived, there was no switches operable on the dash including fridge, lights, water pump etc, but still both engines had full battery power available? Any advice on how it all works, thanks.

[so36idavid]

I don't know your boat but if it's anything like a 36i then there's a relay that connect the positive terminals of both banks. The relay closes when charging and opens when not charging. Check your wiring diagram, it's cryptic but it's in there. 

[napoleon]

Hi,
The batteries are configured in three banks of two in each bank if you have the bow thruster and electric capstan fitted.
The four batteries for the domestic supply and engine supply are in a container mounted between the engines whilst the other two are under the forward cabin bed.
All are connected to the battery charger which will function even when the master switches for each bank are turned off.
You will have a master switch panel in the port aft cupboard of the saloon which has five switches. These are low current switches which activate remote master switches through three positive and two negative units. (The domestic and engine battery circuits share a common earth).
If any of the domestic or engine switches are off then all switches on the instrument panels will be isolated.
When the shore power is off the battery banks are charged from the engines but with priority given to the engine bank.
Similarly, if for example you are at anchor with no engines running the system will only draw from the domestic bank and will preserve the engine bank. This is fully automatic and depending on model is either controlled by diode or relay.

When you open the panel behind the instruments you will find that there are more wires than applications for them with several parts of the looms ending abruptly in a non connected plug or socket. This is because the same wiring looms are used for several models and sizes of boat with the parts that are not needed being left safely out of harms way.
The remote battery switches are energised from the small panel in the saloon cupboard and you will hear them lock into position as the solenoid goes in (this takes about 9 amps). However, if the remote switch will not engage it is possible to activate manually by pressing the rubber mushroom headed button on top of the unit. Three are normally mounted on the forward bulkhead in the engine room and two under the forward cabin bed to minimise the length of cable run.
regards,
Napoleon

[hpwhite]

Hi Napoleon, thanks again mate for both replies. Your knowledge is very helpful to me and I guess anyone who owns a Prestige 36. Thank you, Howard.