connecting 2 batteries

beckoning

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Dec 15, 2010
Messages
164
I have a 2-battery system with a PERKO switch. Using very heavy gauge battery cables, it is difficult to jam everything inside the little PERKO. How to connect 3 positive (RED) battery cables that will go to the same PERKO bolt connector so I'm just putting one cable onto the PERKO instead of cramming 3 onto the post? There must be some sort of connectors. Alternatively, I could bolt the 3 eyelets together and wrap the wad in heavy rubber insulation. Is there a danger in connecting 3 red cables to a 4-6" pigtail cable that attaches to the PERKO? Is there a risk of overheating the pigtail when I'm running on both batteries to charge them? BTW, I had a PERKO for 14 years on my prior boat, and it worked like a charm....thinner cables, fewer toys. Lots more amps flowing on this boat......4 electric riggers, Lowrance, Garmin GPS, radio. All powered by a 150hp Tammy.....I'm in heaven.
 

cyclops222

Commander
Joined
Mar 21, 2024
Messages
2,385
Need pictures of each battery and the battery posts on each one as wired.
Size of each battery. 24...27....or other size
Need amount of current each rigger pulls.
Will you be adding a trolling motor sometime ? How much thrust ?
 

ESGWheel

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 29, 2015
Messages
702
While a bus bar is the proper way to electrically connect battery cables together as AD points out, I am concerned as to why the need > based on your post it seems as if you are using a Perko Off-1, 2, All (link) battery switch to connect up the two batteries to the boat’s electrical system. As you may know this has the 3 lugs needed, one for each battery and the other for the boat’s electrical system and thus no need to cobble together the wires.

If you do not mind, can you please explain what you are trying to accomplish and lots of good folks here can help guide you to safely get this done. Thanks.
 
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