Perko® Battery Switches help manage the overall use of electrical power on board. They are used to connect or disconnect electrical devices from the electrical system. They help to prevent battery drain during periods of inactivity and also allow for a quick and easy way to shut down the entire electrical system in an emergency.
What does the Perko switch do on a boat?
Battery #1 and Battery #2 go to the perko switch. The boat electrical including starter / alternator go to the Perko. This means when I select Perko "OFF" - all the electrical is powered off in the boat. When I select Perko #1 - only battery #1 is powering the entire boat.
How do I use a Perko battery on-off switch?
There are many ways to use a Perko Battery On-Off Switch. The most obvious (and most common) is simply to use it to turn off your battery when in storage so that your battery does not drain as quickly and is ready to go when you are. Like all Perko products, these time-proven switches are made in the USA. All switches are ignition protected.
What kind of material are Perko battery switches made of?
Perko battery switches are designed for surface mounting. Standard duty disconnect switches have bright red polycarbonate reinforced housings for safety with large easy-to-turn black knobs. The housing of the heavy duty switches are red fiber-reinforced polycarbonate.
Should I get a Perko or a stereo battery?
Then you will get a "stereo" battery and an "everything else" battery. The perko is great if you can robotically run it like ceesub. If you are prone to hang out and talk and swim and have fun with friends on the water and put the battery switch at the back of your mind, the add a battery will suit your needs far better than the perko.
How does a boat dual battery switch work?
The boat is equipped with a Dual Circuit Plus battery switch (OFF-ON-COMBINE). The purpose of this switch is to isolate an engine battery from the house bank. When the switch is turned to ON, the engine battery is connected to the engine and the house bank is connected to the house loads.
How do I connect two batteries to a Perko switch?
Remove the cable from the starter using an open-end wrench. Connect this end of the cable to the terminal labeled "1" on the Perko dual battery switch. Connect a new red battery cable from the second battery's positive terminal to the number "2" terminal on the Perko switch.
Does dual battery switch charge both batteries?
Once you shut the engine down, the same battery will be providing power. If you're hooked up to shore power, both batteries will be recharged, regardless of where the switch is positioned, even if it's in the “OFF” position.
Can you switch batteries while boat is running?
1:245:42Using A Battery Switch While the Boat is Running - Good or Bad? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFrom a battery. While the engine is running the reason for that is that you're going to actuallyMoreFrom a battery. While the engine is running the reason for that is that you're going to actually literally blow up the alternator. It's like stopping a car with a wall.
Does Perko Switch both batteries?
Perko Battery Switches This switch provides the flexibility of selection between batteries or combined operation of both batteries in parallel for starting or charging.
Should I have two batteries on my boat?
Boats 15-23 feet, with a single-engine, will only require two batteries unless they have a trolling motor, which can require up to three more batteries. Boats 24 feet and up, with more than one engine will require three or more batteries with an additional battery for every additional engine.
Does battery switch need to be on to charge battery?
No charging occurs driving or solar unless the system is on. If you plug a Pure3 coach into shore power, the system will wake up automatically and start charging....Does the House Battery Switch need to be on to charge the batteries?Condition:Disconnect StateChargeDrivingOff or OnYesPlugged in to Shore PowerOffNo2 more rows
How many volts does it take to start a boat?
Most boat batteries are 12 volt, and this is the voltage that is typically used to start boat engines. However, some boat batteries are 24 volt, and these can be used to start larger boat engines. The size of the battery you need will depend on the size of your boat engine.
Can you charge two batteries one alternator?
A car alternator will be more than capable of charging two batteries. However you need to be more careful about connecting two batteries together if one is charged and the other is not.
Does my boat motor charge my battery?
Yes. When your outboard engine is running, it produces electricity that will power your boat. This electricity flows into the batteries and makes them rechargeable. The rectifier is a special component that converts the coil output into a regulated DC current suitable for charging the boat battery.
Should I leave my boat battery charger on all the time?
Some people prefer to leave their boat battery charger plugged in all of the time. However, using any old charger for this purpose can actually overcharge and damage the battery, instead of protecting it. If you want to leave your charger plugged in all the time, make sure that you use a smart trickle charger.
How often should I charge my boat batteries?
It is best to charge your boat batteries after every trip and again if the batteries sit for longer than a week without being used. This will help keep your batteries in good condition and ensure that they are always ready to power your boat.
How do you hook up dual batteries on a boat?
Adding a second battery to a boat is an easy project that helps lend peace of mind....Pick the Best Battery Switch for Your Boat. ... Install the Second Battery to the Boat. ... Pick a Location for the Battery Switch on Your Boat. ... Connect the Positive Cables First. ... Connect the Negative Cables Last.
How do you hook up a battery switch?
6:038:37How to install Demco's battery disconnect switch - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe're going to remove the nut on the post on the switch closest to the battery holding it up attachMoreWe're going to remove the nut on the post on the switch closest to the battery holding it up attach the cable with the cable running towards the firewall to the post. And screw on the nut.
What is AFD on battery switch?
The AFD is a secondary, isolated, single pole switch within the battery switch, through which the alternator field current source wire from the voltage regulator is wired.
How do you hook up a battery disconnect switch on a boat?
1:327:24How to install a battery disconnect switch on a boat - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then we'll hook this to the battery. And we'll mount it i'm going to mount it right about hereMoreAnd then we'll hook this to the battery. And we'll mount it i'm going to mount it right about here so it's easy to get to.
Where are Perko switches made?
Like all Perko products, these time-proven switches are made in the USA. All switches are ignition protected. But for boats with multiple engines and multiple batteries, using multiple on-off switches (sometimes in conjunction with a selector switch) can provide different benefits.
What does the port switch mean?
Port switch indicates which battery (port only, port lighting only) is connected to the port engine and the starboard switch indicates which battery (starboard only, starboard lighting only) is connected to starboard engine.
What is an alternator field disconnect?
Models with an “Alternator Field Disconnect” feature offer protection for Non-Unitized Alternators should the switch accidentally be turned to the “OFF” position with the engine running.
What does switch position mean?
Switch Position indicates which battery (#1, All, #2) is connected to the engine.
Can you charge an alternator with a selector switch?
Running with a selector switch in the both position (see selector switches) may not fully charge all batteries. But adding on-off switches to the circuit you can force the alternator to charge the battery you want charged.
What happens if I set Perko to battery #1?
If I set Perko to Battery #1 - This battery is primary battery and will charge off alternator
What does "perko" mean on a boat?
The boat electrical including starter / alternator go to the Perko. This means when I select Perko "OFF" - all the electrical is powered off in the boat. When I select Perko #1 - only battery #1 is powering the entire boat. When I select #2, only #2 is powering the entire boat. When I select #1&2, both batteries are powering the entire boat.
What position is the common post on a switch?
When you rotate the switch, the "1" position will connect the common post to battery 1, the "2" position will connect the common post to battery 2, and the 1+2 position will connect both batteries to the common post.
Is Perko better than Ceesub?
The perko is great if you can robotically run it like ceesub. If you are prone to hang out and talk and swim and have fun with friends on the water and put the battery switch at the back of your mind, the add a battery will suit your needs far better than the perko. MotoGPTy and henrik. 2.
Can you rotate a switch while it's running?
Most switches are a make-before-break, so they are safe to rotate through the positions, other than off, while the engine is running, but not all switches are. Its best to determine the switch brand and model, and look into it.
Is the Blue Seas battery switch a Perko switch?
FYI - the factory switch is a Blue Seas battery switch--not a Perko switch anymore. The blue seas switch is better quality.
How to use Perko battery switch?
Its primary job is to permit you to select which battery you want to use for starting and charging or the operation of your other devices. It can also allow you to use both batteries in parallel as long as your system uses batteries that are under 50 volts capacity or 250 amp continuous and 360 amp intermittently. Use it by simply turning to dial between 2, All, 1, and off.
What is a waterproof rocker switch?
It is a three terminal switch. It can control household items, and more with ease and shows an LED light to let you know that it is working properly. The only downside is that you will have to ground each of your major appliances on a separate ground wire than the one that controls the LED light.
What is a Marine Battery Switch?
These switches transfer batteries without reconnecting your wires each time you drain one battery. This is very useful in keeping the battery that you run your boat with, fully charged while out on the water, especially if you have a lot of battery powered items on board your boat. These items may include a radio, lights, fish finders, trolling motors among other items. All boaters could benefit from using a battery isolator switch, even if there are only some boats that require them.
How long does a Marinco switch last?
It has a rating of 275A DC continuous for one hour, a 455A DC intermittent for 5 minutes, and a 1250A DC cranking, which lasts for 10 seconds. The voltage requirement is 48V DC.
What is a toggle switch?
This waterproof toggle switch is made of nickel plated brass and a phenolic non corrosive construction. It can withstand submersion in water for up to 30 minutes. It is rated for 250V AC 10 amps, 125V 15 amps, 12V DC 15 amps, and a terminal size of 0.25”. It can be used as a toggle switch for anything, including use as a battery switch on your boat.
Why do boats not have a switch?
If your boat does not have a switch in place, but you feel that you are running too many gadgets on your single battery or consistently find yourself replacing batteries that no longer stay charged; it may be time to have a switch put into place. Doing so will save you a lot of trouble, money, and preserve your sanity.
