Battery Selector Switch

[Mac_Attack]

I received a Perko Battery selector switch as a Christmas gift last night. I'm now wondering what are my options for mounting this switch? My original plan was to mount it inside of the starboard transom. I'll be cutting a new door in on this side next spring. This will allow me easier access to the batteries and switch. Has anyone ever mounted their battery switch exposed to the cockpit? If so, what brand switch and how and where was it mounted? Thanks and Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all!! Bill Mc ;D

[macojoe]

Switch?? Whats that?? ;) I had one that got all rusted and stuff when I had got the boat.

I took it and threw it away!! And have never used one again. ;D

But if you must I have seen and heard that perko is one of the better ones.

I would put it covered some where, to protect from the eleaments

[chumbucket]

Mine was mounted inside where you mentioned, but my buddy has his right in the outboard motor well and has stood up to the weather fine over the years.

[Mac_Attack]

My father in law suggested in the splash well also, but when I put the new door in I will have lost 4 rod holders. *I had planed on putting them in the splash well like on Fugazi's boat. *Thanks Bill Mc ;D

[Seakindly]

Mine is inside tha starboard stern locker above both batteries and next to a positive bus bar. Protected and keeps the cables as short and fat as possible. Mac if you have a west marine near you, you may want to exchange it for their branded switch. It's cheaper and has higher spec. ratings.

[chesapeake724]

The PO of my last boat mounted the Guest dual-battery switch exposed on the starboard side of the transom, between the gunnel and splashwell. No problems with it being outside.

I just added a second battery to my boat and decided to go with a battery combiner instead of a dual-battery switch. There's a scheit load of posts between the battery combiner vs. battery isolator fans on THT, but I went with the combiner. Basically, the two batteries are two independent circuits, but when a charging voltage is detected from the engine, the combiner connects the batteries in parallel so the batteries get charged. I won't get into the pros and cons, but I went with this setup for its elegance of simplicity.

[Mac_Attack]

Here is a site a fella on the THT sent me. Looks like what I'm after.

http://www.ssicustomplastics.com/Control%20panels.htm

[Seakindly]

Mac - am I missing something here ???

What possible advantage do you see in putting the switch outside of the starboard stern locker??
Seems like you are lookin for a solution to a problem that does not exist.

[Mac_Attack]

No problem! It will have easier access outside. Not a whole lot easier but easier. Bill Mc ;D

[Crusher]

Mac,My Perco is like Seakindlys mounted facing to the side of the boat between lift out tray on side of motorwell. Simply lift out tray turn on and it is ouy of sight in a lockable compartment. For mounting switches, fuse blocks,buss bars etc., you can use tupperware to make cheaper verision of that after market box. Also in there I mounted a West Marine two bank battery combiner $80.00 Pg #612 that will charge both batteries but willn't let both banks discharge at the same time, that way you can always get started. Works good for me, as my marina doesn't have electric to slips. Crusher

[Seakindly]

I don't have a "lift out tray"to get in the way. My switch is mounted on transom above batteries and next to bus bar.

I slop up my boat, salt up, and hose down like a madman. My electrical stays clean, dry and out of the way.

[Mac_Attack]

Now you did it! Should I or shouldn't I? We'll see next spring after I pull the boat out of the barn. Thanks for you ideas. Bill Mc ;D