How to install a battery switch on a boat
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- Опубликовано: 19 апр 2022
- This video will show you how you can install a battery switch on a boat and how to use it. Always safer to use a make before break switch.
A break before make switch can cause damage to outboard alternators.
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I am going to use this as a solar battery selector. Two different kinds of batteries. The instructions that came with my switch were in series and this is parallel. Instead of a motor I am using solar panel controller as my output. Good video.
Best video ever, well explained. And short
Thank you Joe. Clear and simple instructions. Installing switch tomorrow AM. Crystal clear on how to install.
Hi DORPER DORPER, thanks for watching, let us know how your installation goes 👍
Thank you. This actually helped a lot.
One of the best explained videos i have seen yet. Cheers.
Hi ME, thanks for watching and for the kind words 👍
@@joetheboatguy5394 Hi again, one more question, would it be ok to daisy chain all the grounds? So by that I mean ground on house to ground on switch panel to ground on bus bar to ground on start battery and finally to ground on outboard, rather than multiple runs. My house battery is in the bow for a Minn Kota and some accessories with switch panel midship on a side console with start battery in the stern.
@Me, hi, yes you can all grounds are connected together in the end. BUT you just have to make sure you respect the AWG wire size. It's a little more tricky when you daisy chain but if it's done right you will be OK. Example, you can't daisy chain a 2AWG wire to a 16AWG wire. Another solution would be to install 2 ground bus bars one in the front and one in the back of your boat, and connect the two ground bus bar with a 2 AWG wire.
@@joetheboatguy5394 Perfect that's clear. Thanks again for excellent content and replies.
You are actually the best
Great video clear and concise. Thank you from Canada ( I subscribed) :)
Thanks for the sub! :)
Great explanation! I have to retire my pontoon boat, entirely. She’s got two batteries but I like the option of controlling my charging and discharging!
Thanks
Best video I have seen yet for the battery hookup and how the switch works. Do you think I need a battery isolator for any reason with this type of switch installed? If so, can you show the install?
Hi JJ, Battery isolator will prolong your batteries life. All depends on how you use your batteries. Basically your isolator will have 3 connections. The A B connection will go to both positive of each batteries. The other connector will be ground 👍
Thanks for this Video Joe, I was wondering how would it work instead if only doing a Dual Circuit Switch with only on and off? So one small AGM is the main battery and adding a 27 Group Battery to the main for additional juice. This is for a Sea Doo Switch (new Pontoon boat) which unfortunately only comes with a small AGM Battery slightly bigger then a Jetski battery.
Hi Orlando C Karpf, Thanks for watching. I have a question on what you mean by just on or off switch. Basically you would like to have the option to set both batteries in parallel when switch is on "ON" position? Let me know if thats what you mean, thanks
Sorry for the delay lots going on lately
Nice video mate, just a quick question, can I use the starter battery as a house bat/deep cycle battery as well ?
Hi Happygear, thanks for watching and nice comments. Some deep cycle battery will be able to start your engine with no issue, all depending on the cold cranking amps on your deep cycle battery. It`s not its purpose but will work if you have a small engine. Now they have what’s called dual purpose battery which is meant to be a deep cycle but with cranking power.
Thank you for the video! Just one question. There are so many different bus bars online, what amperage does it need to be in order to have both batteries and the motor grounding to it?
hi baileyschornak, thanks for watching and comment, Bus bars are usually high on amperage (200A). It all depends on what you are plugging on the bus bar. But if you get a 200A one, I'm pretty sure you will be fine :)
What's the best way to wire LEDs and underwater lights plus depth finder with a fuse box and switch panel
Hi robert rreagan, thanks for watching, you will find lots of your answer in some of my other videos. Mostly this one: ruclips.net/video/bnQZmurYQ-g/видео.html let me know if you get all your answers 👍
Nice video. Can you make a video on how to wire the Blue Sea System add a battery kit? Thanks
Hi Bean Iril, Thanks for watching and comment don’t forget to subscribe if not already done :)
I will make a video soon, but I must complete some other request first. thanks
Joe,
I am in desperate need of some guidance for my pontoon. I have 5 batteries total. I want to make sure they are all hooked up correctly. I have 4 things but possible 5th that’ll require power. I have one Pecko 2 way switch already installed - 1, 2, All and OFF. I also have 2 onboard battery chargers. 1 is 2 bank and 1 is a 3 Bank. I can send pics or specs if needed.
1. Motor/ignition
2. Trolling motor 80lb thrust
3. Garmin Depth Finder
4. 8 speaker w 2 12” subs stereo
5. Possible re-hook up bilge pump
Main ? Is how to hook up all of these appropriately if you can give any advice I would be forever grateful!
Hi Brad Harbert, thanks for watching. I have a couple of videos on my channel on how to plug equipment. this one might be helpful to you: ruclips.net/video/l4Ve6KpiAqQ/видео.html
Also, for your batteries if you need to connect in serial or parallel here another video: ruclips.net/video/Pi2YmVbQKd4/видео.html
Make sure your Switch are Make before break.
I have many electronic videos on my channel all you need to do is combining them.
Let me know if you need more help. Also is your trolling engine a 12V or more?
One more question, with the current setup with the switch in the 1+2 position, will the batteries be in parallel?
Yes they will be in parallel 👍 your output will still be 12V
Hey Joe,
In your personal opinion - do you think it’s necessary to add a start isolation charging relay that I’ve seen in other forums and videos? I’m sure it doesn’t hurt but is there that much of an advantage in adding one?
Thanks!
And to clarify - you have a video with the VSR which is essentially the same thing correct? Do you have a video with adding the VSR in addition with the battery selector switch?
Thanks and great videos!
Hi Ryan Ballance, The VSR will act as your battery isolator, allowing your main battery to disconnect from the secondary battery when alternator is no longer charging. Yes its essentially the same thing.
The Voltage Sensitive Relay (VSR) allows two batteries to be charged at the same time.
When the engine is started and the start battery reaches 13.7 volts, the VSR engages, allowing two battery banks (start and auxiliary) to be charged simultaneously.
When the voltage drops below 12.8 volts (eg the engine is stopped), the VSR disengages, separating the batteries. This system eliminates the possibility of draining the start battery and protects sensitive electronic equipment powered from the auxiliary battery from harmful engine start up spikes.
Hi Ryan, The advantages of a VSR is
a) Avoid human error: if the boat is off and you're powering accessories, you won't drain your cranking battery.
b) if you need (in a pinch) to use your secondary battery to crank the boat, you can override with the click of a switch.
Some people won't go without it and some will never use it. it's a personal choice.
Perfectly explained! I guess my preference is to have added safety measures in place. Keep up the great work!
Thanks,
So to make sure I understand. In order to charge one or both (I have two batteries) The switch needs to be in All or 1 or 2. Correct?
Hi 302Z, thanks for watching. You will be charging the battery selected. So if your on 1, your charging battery 1. If your on 2, you will be charging battery 2 and if your on both, you will recharge both batteries. Make sure your switch is a make before break switch 👍
Usually battery 1 is a starter battery. Battery 2 is a deep cycle battery. So to start your engine you should be on position 1.
Nowadays they have dual fonction batteries. Which is a deep cycle battery that you could start your engine with it. They are great
So if I wanted the bilge pump to work manually oof a switch on dash, I would wire it the same but instead of float switch down by pump wires would run up to dash ?
Hi PopPop, thanks for watching, Yes and if you want the float also you can put it in parallel as the switch 👍 let me know if you know how to do it. Or else I will give you more explanation 😉
So, the way this is set up, you dont have a separate bus bar for grounding...if i add an AC system, can i just hook the ground from that to the negative bus bar in the DC system, or should i have a second bus bar for grounding that i connect the DC bus bar and the AC bus bar to, and then to the engine?
Hi Beth G, thanks for watching. In this set up I do have a bus bar for ground. The bus bar is to keep all wire to go the the batteries. Much cleaner setup. When hooking up your AC make sure you have the right gauge wires. Your + wire (usually red) will go to positive of batteries or + bus bar from batteries. Your black wire is your ground. So it goes to the negative of the batteries or negative bus bar. Let me know if this helps.
I have similar set up(no bus bars) but also have Noco smart charger plug in each battery. I have connected the crank neg to deep cycle battery. Problem...when the switch is in off position rocker panel still works. I cant figure out what I may have done wrong. Is it the smart charger?? Any insight would be greatly appreciated
Hi Andrew Zuk, Thanks for watching, don't forget to subscribe :)
Don't know whats your knowledge in electronics so I will start with the basic testing. If you have done these tests already let me know.
My first suspicion is your battery switch. I would unplug and remove the battery switch and set it on the "off" position. Once done you can test continuity with multi-meter between output pin and inputs pins. They shouldn't be any continuity since the switch is set to off.
For continuity test with multi-meter: www.wikihow.com/Test-Continuity-with-a-Multimeter
Let me know your results and will continuous.
Hi, I want to know I have a 30Hp Mercury so it doesn't have an alternator. Can I use the voltage rectifier that is currently charging my starting battery to charge my deep cycle battery with your setup explained?
Hi Daniel Oosthuizen, Thanks for watching, I have a Mercury 25HP and it does recharge my deep cycle battery. :)
From Google : A rectifier transforms alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC). Its normal function is charging batteries and keeping them in optimum conditions while, at the same time, providing DC power for other loads.
Thanks for replying to my question.
Does the starter battery need to be a normal car or truck type or can it be a deep cycle batterie ?
Hi Bufford, thanks for watching Deep cycle batteries should not be substituted for starting batteries. Marine Dual-Purpose Batteries combine the performance of starting and deep cycle battery, and are a good choice on smaller when there's no room for two batteries. I stole that from Google. But now they do have a battery that can be deep cycle and starter battery. OPTIMA BATTERIES 8016-103 D34M BlueTop Starting and Deep Cycle Marine Battery.
It all depends if you want two batteries or a one battery setup. Today there is much better option then the pass.
Hi Joe how do you add an battery isolator to your schematic ?
HI flemminghansen, thanks for watching: here's a video with a with a VSR which is the same family of the battery isolator. ruclips.net/video/7TinRz-H76k/видео.html
Hey Joe, I was curious as to whether this setup will work with a 12v trolling motor on a kayak switching between 2 lithium batteries? Would I just wire the trolling motor in the position of the big engine on this diagram and keep everything else the same? One battery will be running a fish finder but I want to have the battery selector in place just in case the main trolling battery was to die I could get back. Thanks in advance!
Hi Tyler Frye, Thanks for watching, don’t forget to like and subscribe :-)
I just want to make sure I understand correctly. You would like to have 2 batteries on your kayak one as Main that runs everything (trolling motor, pump and fish finder), and one has backup in case you main gets discharged. So, you would switch to 2 and have everything running again (trolling motor, pump and fish finder) but on your backup battery.
If that’s the case than yes, you can replace the outboard engine by your electric engine...
if you only want Trolling motor to run on switch 2, (no fish finder and pump) then I would need to make a diagram for you.
Let me know :)
Thanks for the quick reply! Battery 1 will solely run the trolling motor and battery 2 will have a fish finder and navigation lights but I was hoping to just connect them to the battery and leave them off the battery selector so they would not be affected. I mostly just want the trolling motor to be affected by the selector so if battery 1 dies I can switch to battery 2 that has the fish finder and navigation lights if this possible.
Ok got it I will do a diagram soon. How fast do you need this info?
Okay thank you! Whenever you have time will be perfect, I'm in no rush.
Here’s an update, Should be done this week 👍
If you currently only have one battery, do you still need the circuit breaker that's in the bilge area?
Hello A5JDZK, Thanks for watching, here a video I did for one battery setup. The bilge pump is connected at 2:15min check it out.
ruclips.net/video/bnQZmurYQ-g/видео.html
Let me know if this helps 😊
Hi! Tnx for this explanation.
Can you please tell me how to connect intelligent battery combiner?
Tnx in advance.
Hi Manfredroncevic, thanks for watching. To my understanding the intelligent battery combiner will have a input and outputs. I haven’t done much of intelligent battery combiner. But the input should be your alternator positive connection. And each output on the intelligent battery combiner will be the positive on each battery.
Hope this helps
@@joetheboatguy5394 TNX.
I ca put negative batery to batery and then to the buzz bar?
Hi Magnum opus, thanks for watching. Yes you can connect both negative of batteries and then to buss bar. Yes it can be done 👍
How do you connect things like a live well, courtesy lights, radio and fish finder. Especially if the boat is already wired and you want to add second battery?
Hi A5JDZK, thanks for watching take a look at my channel I have a couple of that can answer your questions. Especially this video take a look. Don’t forget to like and subscribe 😉
ruclips.net/video/bnQZmurYQ-g/видео.htmlsi=20NLvW7zDKd8WMs4
And to add second battery
ruclips.net/video/l4Ve6KpiAqQ/видео.htmlsi=L-CllreZcDaVBLUK
Let me know if this helps thank you.
@@joetheboatguy5394 Good vids. I should have asked, How to identify existing components, then isolate them to the house battery. I'm trying to add a second battery to my boat. The issue is, my boat came wired without a GPS/Fish finder or a radio. My current set up only has a circuit breaker in the bilge area. And I want to add a second battery to run all the accessories and keep the current battery to just crank the engine. Thanks again.
Oh that would be a little hard to answer since I never saw your set up. Is you set up man made or is it from the manufacture? If it’s from manufacturer, then you would be able to find the wiring diagram for your boat. If it’s man-made then you would have to follow the wires to figure out what’s going on.
Fuse box is always a good place to start
Keep us posted 👍
@@joetheboatguy5394 It's a factory job from Tidewater. I found it online. Thanks for the reply. One last question. I see my boat is only equipped with a circuit breaker in the bilge area. Can I use a negative buss bar and fuse box instead of the circuit breaker? I plan to add a second battery for the Garmin and Boss Audio Radio. Thoughts?
I usually use the circuit breaker to protect the whole system. So, the circuit breaker would be between the batteries and fuse box. The fuse box is used to protect a part of your circuit or a specific equipment. That how it usually done. So having both is a great Idea. Hope this helps :)
I didn't think switching from start to house while running was a good idea unless using a 'BOTH' config. I think when the amps drop out/fluctuate, it will destroy the voltage rectifier which will cause no charging from your stator I think. Running motor and killing power is a bad idea.
Hi AN, thanks for watching, Most quality 1/2/B battery switches, from reputable manufacturers like Blue Sea Systems, BEP/Marinco, Guest & Perko, are designed to be make-before-break. Make-before-break means that as you turn the switch from position 1, to BOTH or 2, the previous position does not open-circuit or disconnect until the next position can carry the current.
Not recommend to go to off position when engine is on. That can be bad and cause damage.
Where would a dc / dc charger go on this setup please?
Hi The Grumpy Business Man, thanks for watching. You will find your answers in this video check it out: ruclips.net/video/Q8VgRRlOmW0/видео.html let me know if you have more question 👍
The one I’m using in the video is Ac/dc charger but would be the same for dc/dc charger.
How is this setup wired with a 4 way switch
Hi zop133, thanks for watching. The switch has position 1, 2, 1&2 and off position.
@@joetheboatguy5394 ok thanks
Hey only problem I’m
Having is that after I crank up the engine when I got to switch from battery one to battery two the engine turns off, how can I rectify this?
Hi Shad, ok that’s a problem, is your switch a make before break switch? A good switch usually is a make before break. Let me know what switch you have and will try to figure what’s going on.
@@joetheboatguy5394 Thank you for the reply, it’s from a brand named Apeixoto but it’s not saying if it’s a break before make or, make before break.
Hi Shad, Most quality 1/2/B battery switches, from reputable manufacturers like Blue Sea Systems, BEP/Marinco, Guest & Perko, are designed to be make-before-break. Make-before-break means that as you turn the switch from position 1, to BOTH or 2, the previous position does not open-circuit or disconnect until the next position can carry the current.
I looked at the Apeoxoto switch and they say it’s a kill switch type. I might be wrong but sounds like a break before make switch. Be careful a break before make switch can cause damage to alternator…..
@@joetheboatguy5394 Thank You so much I just ordered one from Blue Sea Systems.
@Joe The Boat Guy thanks Joe, so you don't need a circuit breaker if you have those kind of battery switches you mentioned? Thanks
I still have power when switch off and there's no wire from the switch to the fuse box just the starter
hi lilbtank419, thanks for watching, you might have a defective switch. first thing I would do to eliminate switch from the equation is disconnect the switch completely and test continuity. Once disconnected take a Multimeter and test continuity on your switch to make sure it works properly. Set your switch on the "off" position and test continuity between "input 1" and "output" should be no continuity. Do the same test with "input 2" and "output", once again they should be no continuity when position of switch is on "off" position. Let us know :)
@joetheboatguy5394 I tried a new switch today did the same thing
Another test you can do is removing your switch and if you still have power going to your equipment then you have a wire that goes straight from battery to your equipment.
So the disconnect switch has two positves wires coming grom same post? Wth
Hi rilla46, thanks for watching. This is a wirering for a battery switch. I’m not sure to understand what you mean by disconnect switch. Can you clarify please. 👍
Why not skip the crappy 1/2/B switch and use a DC/DC charger. No manual switching is necessary and the house battery is charged more efficient. If you are afraid of running out of juice in the starter battery, consider Ctek DC/DC charger with the SmartPass, that will give up to 120Amps extra from the house battery to the starter battery "backwards" if the voltage is to low to start the engine.
Hi Patricklindahl, thanks for watching and comment. Yes of course they are many better ways of doing this set up. But this is the way most people have it, This diagram is to help people that have problem with this setup.
There are pros and cons to doing it with the charger for sure. First of all those switches aren't crappy and likely more reliable than the charger, secondly there are more reasons to do this than just charging. Isolating a dead battery in a breakdown situation and running engine and house on one battery would be the most obvious.
Two batteries are not needed.
Hi JimNobles, thanks for watching, You don’t need 2 batteries but if you want to separate your startup battery and deep cycle battery this is one way to do it.
@@joetheboatguy5394 I need a Bass Tracker Pro 175, 75 hp wiring diagram. 2001. I bought the boat used. The previous owner burned up the ground wires in every harness. I replaced the grounds. Put fuses on grounds to battery. I messed up on the volt, tach, gas guages , and the 6 wire ignition switch. Switch comes with 6 wires and double jumpers in purple and black leads, but why and what for. There are 3 purple wires under dash. Now the motor(75 hp) won’t turn off:(((((((
As an electrician this is usually easy. But I’m tired, old, frustrated
This is the standerd boat wiring codes, unless users haves changed some wires. So your Purple wires should be "Violet 12v Ignition Generator or Engine" so should have 12v when ignition is ON.
To turn your Engine off: it usually the "black and yellow" wire. Should be grounded when ignition is off or when kill switch is activated.
Black Grounds, General
Black/Brown Pump Grounds
Black/Red Voltmeter Grounds
Black/Orange Isolated Accessory Grounds
Black/Yellow Ignition stop
Black/Green Water Level Sender Ground
Black/Blue Lighting Grounds
Black/Gray Nav Light Grounds
Black/White Battery Parallel Solenoid
Brown Pumps, General, Bilge or Sump (Manually Switched)(Also alternator starter to Ign.)
Brown/Red Pumps, Bilge or Sump
Brown/Orange Power feed to Auto Bilge Switches, Pumps, Fuel/Oil Tranfer or Priming
Brown/Yellow Baitwell or Aerator
Brown/Green Fresh Water Pump/Water Maker
Brown/Blue Head Pump
Brown/Violet Washdown Pump
Brown/White Trim pos sender
Red Battery Feeds Unprotected
Red/Violet Misc. Accy. Main Feed Protected (fused) from batt to trim panel.
Pink Fuel Sender
Orange/Black Audio System Feed
Orange/Brown Electric Head, Sanitation System
Orange/Red Wiper Port
Orange Accessories common feed, Dist Panel to Acc switch, Anode Electrode, Mercathode
Orange/Yellow Diesel Preheat
Orange/Green Wiper Stbd
Orange/Blue Communications Equipment
Orange/Violet Navigation Equipment
Orange/White Wiper Center
Yellow/Black Choke Neutral saftey trans mounted
Yellow/Red Start Solenoid (starting circut), Neutral Safety
Yellow/Orange Powered Ventilation, Fans
Yellow Bilge Blowers (also alternator DC output)
Yellow/White Rudder Angle Sender
Green/Red Stop Solenoid/Kill Switch
Green/Yellow AC Grounding
Green Bonding
Green/White Engine Trim in and or tilt down
Green/Orange Engine Independent Trim down
Blue/Black Cabin Lights
Blue/Brown Oil Temp Send
Blue/Red Cabin or Cockpit Lights Port
Blue/Orange Engine Independent Tilt Up
Blue/Yellow Lighting Circuits to Remote Send
Blue/Green Cabin or Cockpit Lights Stbd
Blue Instrument & General Lighting
Blue/Violet Courtesy, Boarding Lighting
Blue/White Engine Trim Outand/or Tilt Up
Light Blue Oil Pressure
Violet/Red Eng. or Generator B+ from Breaker
Violet/Yellow I/O Trim Up (ballast bypass)
Violet/Green I/O Trim Down
Violet 12v Ignition Generator or Engine
Violet/White Trim "Trailer" switch
Gray/Black Mast Light
Gray/Red Spotlight Remote
Gray/Orange Docking Lights
Gray/Green Strobe or Beacon
Gray/Blue Spreader/Flood Lights
Gray/Violet Windlass/Winch
Gray Navigation (running) Lights, Tach. Send
Gray/White Anchor Light
White/Brown Temp. Alarm or Indicator
White/Red Fuel Alarm or Indicator ((Ignition module to Dist.)Mercury Thunderbolt Ignition)
White/Orange Fire Alarm or Indicator
White/Yellow Air Flow Alarm or Indicator
White/Green Water Press/Flow Alarm or Indicator ((Ignition module to Dist.)Mercury Thunderbolt Ignition)
White/Blue Oil Press Alarm or Indicator
White/Violet Voltage Alarm or Indicator
White General Alarm Usage, Yamaha Kill Switch
Tan Water Temp sender
Tan/Blue Warning system sense wire (Audio warning)
Let me know if this helps :)