Monterey Boats 186MS Owner'S Manual Download

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MONTEREY

BOATS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

6.1 General

Your Monterey is equipped with a 12 volt DC
electrical system. Some models could also be
equipped with an optional 120 volt AC battery
charging system. Battery chargers on Sport Boat
models draw 120 volt AC current directly from a
shore power outlet at dockside. The DC system
draws current from on board batteries.

Most boat and engine charging systems are de-
signed for 12 volt, lead acid wet cell, absorbed
glass mat (AGM) or gel cell marine batteries. Most
wet cell batteries will require similar maintenance
as those in automobiles. AGM, gel cell and some
wet cell batteries are sealed and require no main-
tenance except to periodically clean battery tops,
terminal posts and connections.

All wires in the electrical system are color coded to
make identifying circuits easier. Wiring schemat-
ics have been included with this manual to aid in
following an individual circuit of the boat.

6.2 12 Volt DC Battery Systems

The 12 volt electrical system is a standard ma-
rine system. One battery with an ON/OFF switch
is standard equipment on most models. A dual
battery system is standard on the 196MFS and
optional on other models.

The batteries are located in the rear of the stern
storage compartment or in the engine compart-
ment. The single battery system is controlled
by an ON/OFF battery switch. Dual batteries are
controlled by an OFF/1-2 /1 & 2 (Both) battery
selector switch.

The battery switch panel is located below the stern
seat in most models and in the wet bar storage
compartment on 264FS models. The batteries
are charged by the engine or the optional battery
charger when hooked to shore power.

Circuit Protection

All 12 volt power is distributed to the 12 volt
accessories through individual circuit breakers
located in the 12 volt breaker panels. A main

Chapter 6:

circuit breaker, located in the battery switch panel,
protects the system from an overload. Other cir-
cuit breakers in the battery switch panel protect

the circuits for the automatic float switch for the

bilge pump, optional amplifier and ignition. Ad

ditional fuses and/or circuit breakers in the engine
compartment protect the circuits for the optional
Mercathode active corrosion system, battery
charger and windlass on some models. Most 12
volt accessories are operated directly by switches
in the helm accessory switch panels or separate
accessory switch panels.

Main breakers located on the engine protect the
ignition, engine charging system and gauges.

Some 12 volt accessories are operated directly
by a circuit breaker in the breaker panels while
others are operated by a switch fed by the panel
breakers. Most of the 12 volt accessories on the
deck and in the cockpit are operated by switches
in the helm switch panel.

Batteries and Battery Switch

The DC electrical system on your boat is designed
for wet cell, absorbed glass mat (AGM) or gel cell
marine batteries. It is important that you know the
type of batteries in your boat and that the engine
charging system and optional battery charger are
set to recharge these batteries.  Charging systems
not set to the proper battery type could cause un-
usually short battery life, engine starting problems
and damage to the DC charging systems.  You
also should not mix the brand or type of batteries.

Your boat has provision for one or two batteries.
The batteries should be of the size and capacity
recommended by the manufacturer of your en-
gine.  See the engine owner’s manual for more
information on battery requirements.  These speci-

fications should be considered to be the minimum

size battery required. The batteries were installed
by your dealer. Always consult your dealer before
changing the type of batteries in your boat or if
you have questions regarding the batteries.