Battery switch issues

[christianL]

What seemed to be a simple fix has found a way to stump me, as with many "simple" boat problems.

I have a standard 2 battery setup, wired in parallel to a Perko OFF-1-BOTH-2 switch. All of a sudden when I flip to battery #1, I get no power to either the engine or boat accessories. I have plenty of test equipment and good electrical knowledge. Both batteries are brand new and have plenty of juice. I took the switch apart and checked for continuity between the posts the switch in it's individual positions, and all is well. there is also continuity between all grounds, cables, connections where there should be, etc. Am I missing something? Is there an engine ground I should be checking? Battery #2 position works like a charm, #1 does nothing.

Thanks for the help

 

[waffles1]

Re: Battery switch issues

Hi ChristianL,
I know this sounds like a stupid question and you appear very intelligent but are there any fuses that maybe blown? Good Luck.

 

[crappie14]

Re: Battery switch issues

If I understand your wiring you have a positive from battery 1 going to the #1 lug of the switch, positive of #2 going to the #2 lug of the switch and the "load or boat positives" connected to the load lug.

I am guessing the two grounds from the batteries are connected together and in the connection somewhere you have all of your ground wires from your boat accessories/motor(s). Either joined on a battery or a grounding block.

My guess is you are not getting a good ground on the battery you are losing power on and your grounds are connected to the battery that is working. I have personally had more issues with grounding on my boat that I ever have had on the power side.

I also had a switch installed on my boat and it worked perfect for a few trips, somewhere along the way I lost my ground and the motor actually started and ran but I would feel a shock coming from the throttle control when running at WOT. It's a wonder I didn't fry something before I found and fixed it. Had it not been a fiber glass boat I figure I would have had real issues.

For whatever reason the boat would actually start and run but was finding its ground via my body at the control at high RPM's.

 

[christianL]

Re: Battery switch issues

@ crappie14,

your absolutely right. after much frustration and troubleshooting, i determined that the problem HAD to be related to a ground, not the power side. i took apart all the connections, filed them down to fresh copper, put a coat of di-electric grease on them and everything works fine.

thanks for the help guys