R5: Turn battery switch off after each use?

[jalf]

I tried searching the forum but could not find an answer.

We purchased a used 2018 R5 in September 2019 with about 60 hours on the clock. On several occasions, we would attempt to to start it and the battery(ies) would not start. This was after using the boat just the day before in some cases. They easily started after a few minutes on a battery charger. I don’t believe we left anything on (lights, radio) that would drain the batteries. They’re still fairly new and recharge easily. The temps were not cold overnight.

Should I turn the battery switch to the “off” position after every use? Is this a common issue?

Apologize as this is out first Cobalt (which we LOVE).

Jim

[AsLan7]

I tried searching the forum but could not find an answer.

We purchased a used 2018 R5 in September 2019 with about 60 hours on the clock. On several occasions, we would attempt to to start it and the battery(ies) would not start. This was after using the boat just the day before in some cases. They easily started after a few minutes on a battery charger. I don’t believe we left anything on (lights, radio) that would drain the batteries. They’re still fairly new and recharge easily. The temps were not cold overnight.

Should I turn the battery switch to the “off” position after every use? Is this a common issue?

Apologize as this is out first Cobalt (which we LOVE).

Jim

.
Absolutely.
There may be items that are on a “switched battery bus” that can draw down your batteries depending on how it’s wired when your batteries are switched ” ON”.

For instance, we have a pair of Bennett electric trim tabs with LED indicators that will drain the battery due to how they are wired. Stereos, amps, Bluetooth modules, CO2 detector, etc. can all have a parasitic affect on your batteries over time. Every boat we’ve owned gets the battery switch turned off after every use. You can never go wrong in that configuration. (other than trying to start the engine if the switch is off )

And any items that are of absolute necessity such as an automatic bilge pump will still function even with the battery switch off.

.

[CaptBob]

I've always turned the battery switch to the off position on trailer boats also.

[cmattj]

Off is the word!
Unless you can measure parasitic draw ( that’s the milliamperes used when machines sit) just be safe.
Your battery life is in its 4 th year so you may want to replace them as the load capacity may have seen the end of their shelf life.

[Snowman8]

I tried searching the forum but could not find an answer.

We purchased a used 2018 R5 in September 2019 with about 60 hours on the clock. On several occasions, we would attempt to to start it and the battery(ies) would not start. This was after using the boat just the day before in some cases. They easily started after a few minutes on a battery charger. I don’t believe we left anything on (lights, radio) that would drain the batteries. They’re still fairly new and recharge easily. The temps were not cold overnight.

Should I turn the battery switch to the “off” position after every use? Is this a common issue?

Apologize as this is out first Cobalt (which we LOVE).

Jim

Was the boat purchased new in September of 2019 with new batteries? If so I would say you have a bad battery or a large draw that is killing the batteries rapidly. I have forgotten to shut off my battery switch and my 2014 R5 has sat for a few weeks and it starts fine. I purchased my R5 in spring of 2015 with new batteries and they tested weak last spring 2019 so I replaced them after 4 years. We can sit at anchor for 8 plus hours listening to the radio and start the boat just fine without ever having to switch to the second battery.
Where do you leave your battery switch normally? It should be set to battery A and only be switched to the B or emergency setting if battery A won’t start the boat then switch it right back to battery A. That way the second battery will always have a full charge to start the boat.

[jalf]

Thanks for the replies.

The boat was purchased used at the end of 2109. It was put in service in 2018 and used for 2 seasons.

I usually keep it in the “ON” position. There is no A or B position, just off, on and dual, I believe.

It starts fine if we remember to turn it off, which sounds will be our plan from now on.

[Red Herring55]

Another thought--do you have Mercury or Volvo power? If Mercury, do you have DTS? If so, my 2014 220S had a constant draw from the DTS (so my dealer said) even with the batteries off, so they put a fuse between the batteries and switch that was pulled each time we were done for the weekend.
Got Volvo now in the R5 so no similar issue.

Anybody else ever have this with Merc DTS? Thought it was pretty stupid considering most people don't use their boats every day.

[BobRae99]

I always switch mine off but if you are putting an hour on the boat every day and it is discharging dual batteries overnight when the switch is left in the "on" position, I'd say something is wrong.

[jalf]

By way of an update...

We have been using the boat every few days, leaving the battery in the “ON” position. It’s starting up fine right away.

Have to think we had something on (radio?) that discharged it. We have had no issues for the last month.

Thanks for all the replies.

[greenhut]

Turn it off. Bilge will still work if required and you protect yourself from accidentally leaving an accessory on. Also, unless an emergency, you should never put the switch on Combine. As you suspect, you probably had an accessory left on. Will become habit turning the switch off and on.

The Blue Sea system Cobalt uses has a parasitic drain, but it is VERY small and would take months to noticeably drain the battery.