Perko switch

[ripthevolcano]

I have a North River Trapper w/ 2 batteries. I puchased a Perko Switch that I plan to install this weekend. Should I run the electronics of battery 2 and the rest of the boat off battery 1. Or should I just use battery 2 as backup and run the boat off it every now and then? Other ideas? I only have vhf, winch, depth currently as auxilary electronics. No downriggers of elec trolling motors. The main reason I purchased is for safety. :help:

[blubeast]

I run mine off the switch, that way you can use/charge both batteries.

[Keta]

Hook up to the Common

http://www.perko.com/images/bat3.gif

[ripthevolcano]

So just to clarify. All electronics run off the common or same as the starter hookup? :rolleyes:

[Keta]

Com is where the + for the starter hooks up. It's the only switched hot terminal on this model switch.

[hot wire]

Ok...that means if I have a pair of motors (115 & 8), that BOTH ***'s goto the one common on Perko. Got that.

Where do I add all the ***'s and neg's of the accessories, that are in the bilge area? :help:

Tom

[Keta]

All grounds to a bonding strap conected to - terminal of battery and + to common on switch. We have 2 switches set up like Diagram 2.

[Hunter56787]

Just a little note: :wave:
Automatic bilge pumps must have power at all time, a (fused)hot lead from the battery.

[hot wire]

Got it!

About the auto function on the bilge...Dang good idea. Thanks. I should have thought of that.

I realize that I have probably more wires to put on the + of my common lug on perko. If I remember correctly, too many to fit. So, I guess that I need to figure out how to combine them.

Thanks, :bowdown:
Tom

[Keta]

Get a fuze block (or circuit breakers) and run a heavy gage wire from the Perko switch to the block. Then take your power off the block. This way all of your fuzes are in the same spot too.

Blue Sea Systems, Marine Electrical Products (http://www.bluesea.com/dept.asp?d_id=7463&l1=7463)

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/130522264.jpg

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/130522244V.jpg

[Pickles]

One thing you might want to do is run a cable from your common output on your perko switch to a terminal block for all of your positive connections. You can also run a terminal block on your ground side. This makes it much easier to add or remove individual electrical circuits from your power source.

[Gundog]

HewesFisher,
On my last boat I put in a terminal strip for both positive and negative leads for all accessories. I am at work right now I will look when I get home I think I have more of them. I will post a picture later if I can find them. If you are going to make up your own connections make sure to use some good inhibitor to stop corrosion on all connections.

Actually I like the setup Keta posted even better negative strip and nice fuse setup. No need to put in inline fuses with that setup I wish they had some prices on those I will be looking into ordering some for my new boat. I just bought my Perko switch on Ebay for $24 delivered the switch that is shown above seems they wanted about $35 locally.
Mike

[Pickles]

Keta: You beat me to the punch! You posted while I was responding myself! :cheers:

[Keta]

use some good inhibitor to stop corrosion on all connections




Gundog,
Good point! This is VITAL!
De-Ox or No Corrode would be two that I would recommend.

Pickles,
We can't say it too often :wave: The majority of the boat wiring that I've seen or had to repair is lacking at best and dangerous at worse.

[ripthevolcano]

Thanks for all the replies, some really good information. I think my sled has a fuse box I can run to the com. The de-ox was the piece I wouldn't have thought of. Thanks :applause:

[hot wire]

AWESOME!!

Thanks....and Hello Boater's world!! :dance:

Tom

[ripthevolcano]

Another question. I looked at my boat today and do not have a fuse box or terminal. Can I run all electronics, given I don't have many, off battery one and just hood starter up to the COM? My goal is to only use battery 2 as a safety precausion. If I need to start the boat w/ a dead battery I would swich to battery 2 and go home. I would replace battery 1 immediately. Any concerns with running it this way? :help:

[Keta]

I'd still run everything to the com terminal. The fuse blocks are cheep if you want to use one. Alternate batteries every other time you take the boat out to work them.

[ripthevolcano]

What are the advantages of the fuse block? Do I have to run one? My electric anchor winch has an in-line fuse. The rest do not. :whazzup:

[judyfish99]

ya need one to run lights, bilge pump, accessories(like fish finders), horn, ect. Good idea to have one, thanks Keta!! :bowdown:

[Keta]

The rest do not.



:bigshock: :bigshock: :bigshock: :bigshock: :bigshock: :bigshock:
I would STRONGLY recommend fuzzing these circuits. You are at risk of burnt wiring at best and a boat fire at worse. The fuse block puts all of your fuses in one place.

[Gundog]

I just bought this fuse block on ebay pretty cheap.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4520136804

[ripthevolcano]

Thanks for all the good info. And especially to Keta, sounds like you have worked with this stuff a lot. I am glad I decided to post this quetions... :applause: