Malibu Boats Wakesetter 20VTX 2019 Owner's Manual page 103

as it can be critical to avoiding a situation in which a battery(ies) is
completely drained and leaves boaters stranded away from shore, or
which can cause significant damage to the recharging alternator.
Batteries are located beneath the bow seat or observer seat in all
models and all configurations. See the Quick Reference Guide in this
Owner's Manual for guidance.
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR ALL FOUR (4) BATTERY SYSTEMS:
Note that the bilge pumps will continue to pull power, even
when the isolator switch is in the OFF position on the boats so
equipped. This is to prevent swamping of the boat and potential
sinking. Bear in mind that in order for the bilge systems to work
the battery will necessarily be drained, and eventually it will
cause the battery to run out of charge. Therefore, under these
circumstances, the boat should periodically be started and the
engine run for a sufficient time to allow the voltmeter reading to
return to the desired range of at least 13.6 volts. How often and
how long the engine should be run to recharge the battery will
vary depending on the type, brand and age of the batteries. The
boat owner should frequently recharge the battery until deter-
mining the approximate time period in which the battery retains
sufficient charge to operate the bilge system, and also to start
the engine.
Malibu boats are equipped with one of four (4) systems, which
are explained as follow:
Null Battery System. The most basic electrical supply system,
this set-up allows for a single battery. There will be two battery
cables, one positive (+) and one negative (-).
Two-Position Isolator System. In addition to the components
in the Null Battery System, a very basic isolator switch allows the
operator to turn a single battery either ON or OFF. The advantage to
this system over the Null Battery System, where the system is always
charging from the alternator, is that it can allow the battery to cease
operation and retain residual energy within the battery until needed.
Three-Position VSR System. Very similar to the Two-Position
Isolator System explained above, this system is the basic operation
for a dual-battery-equipped boat. The Three-Position VSR System
switch has ON, OFF and COMBINED settings. This option comes
with a VSR (Volt Sensitive Relay). Customers are supposed to oper-
ate the boat in the ON position and only use the COMBINE setting in
case of an emergency.
Four-Position Isolator System. Because of the electrical
requirements to enjoy the Malibu boat in its fullest experience, most
2019 Malibu Boats, LLC Owner's Manual • Page 90
https://www.boat-manuals.com/
models are equipped with two (2) batteries. The optional battery ON-
OFF switch is located in a panel behind a door on the port side of the
walk-through between the bow and center deck.
(The numbers 1, 1+2, and 2 refer to the two batteries that you
purchase for the boat. The batteries are located in battery holders
under the observer seat or in the bow of the boat (depending on
the model). As part of the routine maintenance, boat owners should
routinely verify that the batteries are secure within the holders.)
There are four markings on the
knob:
• OFF
• 1
• 1 + 2
• 2
OFF means that all power
to the battery and boat is shut
down. The battery will not
be able to re-charge while in
the OFF position. This is the
appropriate setting for periods of inactivity with the boat, unless you
are in the boat while it is in the water. When the boat remains in the
water, it will be necessary for the bilge pumps to periodically and
automatically pump out residual water in the bilge system. See above
description of how the bilge system operates automatically.
Battery 1 is the "house" battery or main battery. It should be rated
at least 800 cold cranking amps (cca), and a spiral cell battery is
preferable. Battery 2 is the back-up battery (used as a back-up, the
smaller 500 cca battery is acceptable; however, you may prefer that
your back-up also be 800 cca).
Normally, when the battery switch is not turned to OFF, it should
be set on "1." However, if Battery 1 is somewhat drained or sluggish,
turning to "1+2" can be very helpful in providing sufficient power to
start the engine and begin the natural recharging process. After the
engine starts and runs for a few moments, return the battery switch to
"1." The electrical system is not designed to run at optimum efficiency
on "1+2." The "1+2" setting is intended for limited use. For example,
if the boat has not been running, but the boaters have been using
the stereo, lights or other electrical components for a period of time,
the running battery may not have sufficient power to return to shore.
In that instance, by combining the batteries there may be sufficient
power to continue underway while the batteries recharge.
On rare occasions, it may be necessary to turn the switch to "2."
For brief periods of time, especially if Battery 1 is non-functional, you
can run on "2" for limited periods of time.
When the stereo (or other accessories) is on for an extended
period without the engine running, Malibu recommends the battery
be switched to "2" so that the starting battery maintains a sufficient
charge to start the engine.