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Wiring to a battery switch
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Author:  Cincy Aquaholic [ Tue Aug 10, 2010 8:45 am ]
Post subject:  Wiring to a battery switch
In another thread I'm describing my stereo upgrade but have a more general battery switch wiring question that I thought warranted a new thread.

I'd like to wire my amp to a battery switch that will allow it to play off either my port 1, 2 or both battery bank depending on the position of the switch. I have a 3 battery system that uses the port 2 batteries for the house systems. Its the switch on the left. The starboard battery is an on/off switch that is dedicated to that engine. I don't want it to draw off the same battery all the time and I don't want it to draw off both batteries all the time unless its in the "both" position. Is this possible? If so, where do I connect it to? My thought was to actually connect it to the switch that turns the power to my generator on and off. Its the orange one. The generator can be powered with either battery No. 1, 2 or both depending on the position of the switch. But is not powered by the starboard battery.

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Author:  aguyindallas [ Tue Aug 10, 2010 8:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wiring to a battery switch
My stereo is wired like you want yours to be.

I have a 2 battery system and a Perko switch. On the back of the switch, my amp is wired to the same spot as the starter wire. This way if I am on battery 1, I can listen to the tunes and if I kill the battery, I still have a full battery (batt 2) to start with. Vice versa...if I am running my stereo/engine on batt 2, and kill it, I can switch back to batt 1 and start the boat. I have had no issues with this setup and never killed a battery or been left stranded due to a dead battery. In theory, I could put the switch to "all" and use both batteries to still start the boat or listen to the tunes (bad idea) if needed.

I switch from batt 1 to batt 2 every weekend so this way each battery gets its fair share of use and charging. When I return home, the boat goes on the charger until the next trip out.

My setup ensures:
1. There is always a full battery to start the boat with.
2. There is always ample power to run my stereo.
3. Each battery gets its share of "wear and tear" so that they are in theory both due to be replaced at the same time.
Author:  Cincy Aquaholic [ Tue Aug 10, 2010 9:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wiring to a battery switch
That is EXACTLY the result I'm looking for all the way around. I'm a little confused as to which post to wire it to? I'm not sure if that pic is good enough to show me and admittedly it was getting late in the day and dark when I was messing with it.

It seems like I have 3 posts and 3 large cables coming in. My thinking, maybe incorrect, was that if I wired it to post "1" it would always pull from that battery no matter where the switch is positioned. Like wise for the other 2 spots, either always "both" or always "2". Am I just thinking this wrong?
Author:  aguyindallas [ Tue Aug 10, 2010 9:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wiring to a battery switch
Two of the wires (most likely the outer ones) should trace back to each battery. Also, most likely, the starter wire is the one on the center of the switch, which is where you want to connect your amp power to.

If you get a meter and put the positive test lead on the center pole of the switch while changing the switch positions, it should be fairly evident which is which. I am used to Perko, not the Guest switch (not that there is anything wrong with those) so I dont want to mislead you.
Author:  Cincy Aquaholic [ Tue Aug 10, 2010 9:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wiring to a battery switch
Ok, thanks. I'll look into that. My initial thought was if I connected to the post in the 12:00 position then I'd be drawing off both all the time or only getting power when it was in the "both" position.
Author:  aguyindallas [ Tue Aug 10, 2010 9:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wiring to a battery switch
Think of it like this...

The center pole is the "output", where the outer two poles are the "input" from each battery.
Author:  scotchwater [ Tue Aug 10, 2010 12:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wiring to a battery switch
Hey aguyindallas, question for you. When I had my 200, I had the Perko dual bat system just like you. I, too, ran the stereo on either one or two. But, when I ran the boat for any distance, I always switched over to both. I was told that on both you were charging both batteries at the same time and for five years I never needed a charger (and I played the stereo a lot!). Did I get bad info, or was I just lucky???
Author:  aguyindallas [ Tue Aug 10, 2010 12:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wiring to a battery switch
Scotch...yes and no.

I see no need to switch to both for my needs. In your case, if you were making a long run, you would in theory be charging to both batteries from your alternator...which is great if needed.

I like to put mine on the charger at home for 2 reasons:

1. I KNOW they are fully charged when I leave
2. The charger keeps the batteries maintained so they dont get over/under charged over time, especially in the winter.
Author:  scotchwater [ Tue Aug 10, 2010 1:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wiring to a battery switch
aguyindallas wrote:
Scotch...yes and no.

1. I KNOW they are fully charged when I leave
2. The charger keeps the batteries maintained so they dont get over/under charged over time, especially in the winter.


Thanks! Makes a lot of sense....... I always turn my bats off when I store it, and other than winter, I'm back every weekend or every other one. I boat at Lake Mead and usually do at least a half hour to forty five minute run from where I launch to get to where I like to play. Hence, on the ride back at the end of the day they are getting a pretty good charge together on both.
Author:  Cincy Aquaholic [ Tue Aug 10, 2010 2:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wiring to a battery switch
I'm pretty sure that to charge both batteries at the same time from the alternater you need to have it set to "both". I believe that requires a much longer period of time (not sure if its exactly double or what) than just charging one but you are doing the right thing. No idea if that's long enough to get a good full charge but sounds like its been working for you. I've read that with a generator, the onboard charger will charge all batteries regardless of the position of the battery switches. Can anyone confirm?
Author:  Frank_L [ Wed Aug 11, 2010 7:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wiring to a battery switch
Connecting electronic equipment such as stereo system to the engine starting battery subjects the equipment to low voltage when cranking and then a large spike when the starter motor stops. Whether a failure ocurs depends on the products supression and protection circuitry.
Many chartplotters and gps units turn off due to low voltage during cranking.
It would be a good idea to connect a relay to the ignition switch, coilor oil pressure switch to enable the power to your stereo to be isolated during engine starting, as it is in cars.
Nevertheless the connection you are looking for in your post, would be the cable on the battery switch terminal that goes to the starter motor.
Author:  qweedqwag [ Sun Aug 22, 2010 7:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wiring to a battery switch
Its called the common and Perko switchs have it maked on the back side.

Mike
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