SKIPPERS’ TIPS
• Battery back-up • Emergency anchoring • Calm under stress
If your engine-starting battery should fail (and they do) could you use the domestic batteries instead? Many yachts are fitted with a rotary switch (Battery 1 – Battery 2 – Both) which solves the problem. If you don’t have this, imagine entering an unfamiliar harbour, at night, in a stiff breeze and ask yourself what you would do if the starter motor refused to play. For years I kidded myself that I would use jump leads, but came to realise that the chances of remembering which leads to connect to which terminal and in what order was simply not practical. One solution is to install a ‘cross-connect’ isolating switch which connects the domestic batteries to the starter motor. You may need to study the boat’s wiring diagram or get some expert advice, as I did, to ensure that you don’t cause too much damage!