Beneteau 40 engine starting battery

[Paul Streicher]

I have a 2011 Beneteau 40 (my 3rd Beneteau) and the engine will only start when Battery 1, the designated engine battery is on. Prior boats allowed the engine to also start from the house batteries alone (Battery 1 off, Battery 2 on). The schematic in the manual doesn't appear to show a crossover. A change in design or is some type of crossover missing?

[Pieter Wybro]

Paul,

 

The engine battery is by design isolated from the house batteries.  This way there will always be charge on the engine battery, even if the hose batteries are drawn down.  I keep a set of jumper cables on the boat in case the engine battery doesn't have enough juice and needs an extra kick.

 

Good luck on your new boat.  I have a 2010 40 which I have had since October 2009, and love it.

 

Pieter

[Jeff Jakus]

We also have a 2011 B40 (Hull #189) - our start battery is isolated from the house bank and there is no crossover. It makes sense to me, and I have never had the start battery compromised. Starts first time every time!