Perko battery selector switch

[awthacker]

I thought I understood how this device works, but have gotten pretty confused - and I'm having trouble getting my electrical system working properly.

On the back, the lugs are "1", "2" and "common". My understanding was to tie the +12V lead from battery 1 to "1", +12V lead from battery 2 to "2" and everything from the boat (+12V to bus bar under helm, +12V to engine) to "common" (middle lug - currently only has engine lead connected in picture).

I guess what this offers is that I can run off battery 1 all trip, then switch to battery 2 if needed. Next trip, run battery 2 with 1 as the backup. Using the switch this way would offer one battery as backup reserve each trip. I don't think I would ever use the "Both" selection on the dial.

This seems different from alot of wiring setups I've seen, where one battery is the "house" and one is the "starting". Is there an advantage to this system?

What is the best way to use the switch?

Thanks,

Aaron

[phatdaddy]

i guess if you have a deep cycle for the house and a cranking battery for starting you don't want them to draw on each other and a left on switch won't keep you from starting. you also are only charging the one your switch is on. i have 2 batteries (1000 mca) and i have them hooked up parallel. i run off both and charge both. if i need a jump, i call tow boatus. you can buy a charging isolator that will automatically send the charge to the weakest battery.

[spareparts]

you're not suppsoed to mix deep cycle and starting batteries in the same circut, although i see it all the time. Add a battery combiner to the circut, it allows both batteries to be charged, during a high amp discharge, it disconects, or when batter voltage gets low, it disconects. BTW, you have it conected correctly, check into the combiner,not a isolator. an isolator achives the same results, does it a little differently and is harder to wire, the combiner is easier to install

[csvencer]

That switch is designed to run two of the same batteries separately, ie. two starting batteries that are charged and used separately (unless on both, obviously). If you have a deep cycle and a starting battery you want to get one of the off-on-combine switches and a charge relay. The off-on-combine allows you to turn on both batteries on their own circuit (electronics on the deep cycle, motor on the starting) and the relay lets you charge both when the boat is running. If for some reason your starting goes dead then you can switch to combine and start off them both, if you run your deep cycle dead with the stereo, you still have a perfectly fine starting.

Make sense? It's easier to show someone, so if I didn't explain it I am sure I can whip something up in MS paint!

-Svence

[awthacker]

Thanks for the info guys... sounds like the easiest thing to do is to replace the deep cycle battery w/ another starting battery. Luckily, I have one standing by.

[spareparts]

keep both your starting batteries, and if you want to get trick, keep the deepcycle, adn a charging relay, run the electronics off of it, it will be separate from teh engien circut unlees the engine is charging it. BTW, make sure you don't overlaod the charging circut on your motor

[csvencer]

http://bluesea.com/products/7650

This kit is sweet. If you want to keep the deep cycle for electronics and starting for the engine, doesn't get any easier than this.

-Svence

[phatdaddy]

cs, if i am reading that right, it doesn't draw from the house battery, unless you flip the switch to combo, but will monitor and charge each battery as needed. is that right? like i said earlier, i have 2 starting combined with no cut off or isolation between. seems like this would be a better way.

[dboyd351]

Another option is using a combination starting/deep cycle battery. I have had very good luck with AC Delco Voyager Marine/RV starting /deep cycle batteries - they usually last me 4-5 years. As long as the battery has plenty of juice to start your engine, using a battery with some deep cycle capability can be a good thing. A single Group 27 Voyager battery has proven to have enough oomph to start both a 1980s vintage Evinrude 150 and a 1990s Yamaha 150 on different boats, for :train:years. I've always got the second battery for backup, even though I haven't needed it.
The advantage of using a battery with some deep cycle capability is that you won't kill the battery if you leave something on that runs the battery way down. I've accidently done this a few times over the years and the Voyager batteries are fine after being re-charged. If you do this to a straight starting battery that's a few years old it's a lot more likely to kill the battery.

[csvencer]

cs, if i am reading that right, it doesn't draw from the house battery, unless you flip the switch to combo, but will monitor and charge each battery as needed. is that right? like i said earlier, i have 2 starting combined with no cut off or isolation between. seems like this would be a better way.

That kit will keep them completely separate when turned to on (Deep Cycle turns on for electronics, Starting for Engine), combine runs them in parallel (Deep cycle paralleled with starting and powering everything, just like "both" on yours). The black box that comes in the kit is the charging relay. The relay parallels the batteries when it senses a charge. So once the motor is running it parallels the two batteries to charge them both, as soon as the engine turns of the circuit is broken, separating the two batts. This allows them to charge together but then discharge individually.

I love it as when I am at the sandbar all day with the stereo going, gps going, lights, etc I can really kill a battery but it will have no effect on my starting battery. Then once I am back up and running home the relay kicks on and charges up the electronics battery. Also, just an FYI I installed mine when I had two starting batteries, and then once they wore out of old age I went with a Deep Cycle and a Starting.

Lastly, if your not a sandbar rat like I am you can still have a use for the kit. If you have two starting batteries, just wire up the second battery anyway to the switch and this kit will always keep it charged up. If for some reason your main batt dies, you click over to combine and it taps into that other fresh battery.

Sorry this is long winded, hope it was at least clear. If you have any other questions fire away.

-Svence

[csvencer]

cs, if i am reading that right, it doesn't draw from the house battery, unless you flip the switch to combo, but will monitor and charge each battery as needed. is that right? like i said earlier, i have 2 starting combined with no cut off or isolation between. seems like this would be a better way.

Wow, just reread your post...simple answer is yes! Sorry for the long response above!

-Svence

[phatdaddy]

sounds like it's what i need. i've got a west marine gift card burning a hole from christmas. i do like to raft up or drift with the live well going. never had a problem with two hooked together, but have always liked the idea of a master kill switch.
thanks

[csvencer]

It's just nice to know that nothing is going to kill that engine battery, run anything you want til it dies and have the confidence that the main starting battery is good to go.

-Svence

[phatdaddy]

picked one up today, looks simple to install

[Destroyer]

picked one up today, looks simple to install


LOL ..... Famous last words...... :you::you:

[phatdaddy]

i don't drive a fancy dancy land rover, but i can read them little line drawing pictures on the box with the batteries and the +'s and -'s. why you wanna poop in my chili?

[macojoe]

I just use car battery's they come with 5 year warr and are cheaper then marine battery.
I have them on the 1 on or 2 on or all on or all off, my battery's are now on there 6th year with no problems!

[Destroyer]

i don't drive a fancy dancy land rover, but i can read them little line drawing pictures on the box with the batteries and the +'s and -'s. why you wanna poop in my chili?

Not pooping in your chilly.. Hell, I was thinking about myself as much as anyone else. The term "Looks simple to install" is right up there with "So simple a child can assemble it" that you find on Christmas presents that are half assembled sitting under the tree Christmas morning. I'm sure that you'll have it in and working in no time flat. It was the phrase I was laughing at, not your prowness. Go enjoy your chilli. :beer:

[phatdaddy]

actually i'll just stay at a holiday inn express the night before

[csvencer]

And just an FYI...this is the best place for marine wire if you are going to do any rewiring while you're at it.

http://genuinedealz.com/

They do custom lengths for battery cables and heat shrink on connectors for like a buck. Cheapest around and the quality is great. Redid my boat and the neighbors, very satisfied.

-Svence

[Destroyer]

And just an FYI...this is the best place for marine wire if you are going to do any rewiring while you're at it.

http://genuinedealz.com/

They do custom lengths for battery cables and heat shrink on connectors for like a buck. Cheapest around and the quality is great. Redid my boat and the neighbors, very satisfied.

-Svence

Nice Svence... good link to have. Thanks!! :beer: