Outboard Battery Question

[Silvertip]

Re: Outboard Battery Question

There is usually just one pos and one neg besides the engine wiring connected to the battery. You just have to connect three wires to the switch. Battery pos to one side and engine and house pos to the other side.

No there isn't. We are talking a battery disconnect here -- not a dual battery switch (although that can be used as a disconnect as well. It is not applicable if there is only one battery to deal with. There are TWO circuits on most boats. The large battery cables do indeed go to the engine. There is normally a smaller pair of #8 or #10 gauge wires that go to the fuse or switch panel at the helm. You don't need to disconnect anything up there. The switch goes at the battery. You leave all negative leads as they are. You simply move all positive leads currently at the battery to one terminal of the switch. The other terminal connects to the POS terminal of the battery. Switch ON you have power to the boat. Switch OFF everything is off.

Here is a picture of battery disconnect switch and it's available right here on iBoats for less than $20.

Moeller Battery Disconnect Switch 042219-10 - iboats

 

[zippy83]

Re: Outboard Battery Question

No there isn't. We are talking a battery disconnect here -- not a dual battery switch (although that can be used as a disconnect as well. It is not applicable if there is only one battery to deal with. There are TWO circuits on most boats. The large battery cables do indeed go to the engine. There is normally a smaller pair of #8 or #10 gauge wires that go to the fuse or switch panel at the helm. You don't need to disconnect anything up there. The switch goes at the battery. You leave all negative leads as they are. You simply move all positive leads currently at the battery to one terminal of the switch. The other terminal connects to the POS terminal of the battery. Switch ON you have power to the boat. Switch OFF everything is off.

Here is a picture of battery disconnect switch and it's available right here on iBoats for less than $20.

Moeller Battery Disconnect Switch 042219-10 - iboats

Thanks, I will get one of those

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Outboard Battery Question

Silvertip, Isn't That what I said? Two circuits, Engine wiring and house wiring. "House" is a term we used to describe the power to pretty much everything but the engines at most places I worked.

 

[gm280]

Re: Outboard Battery Question

I totally understand what everybody is talking about, however with all the boats I've ever owned I never had even one issue with leaving batteries connected up at all times. To introduce another switch into the setup invites another part to fail or get corroded and need cleaned, serviced or even replaced not to count the possible voltage drop across that switch when it gets some age on it. The KISS principle is still the best. The more parts you install gives your MTBF (mean time before failure) another place to fail...JMHO! There is always that “IF” possibility and no amount of protection will remove that totally...

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Outboard Battery Question

Get a Blue Sea switch. They are a high quality switch.

You have more items on the boat that are 1000 times more likely than the battery switch to fail. To not add one because of that reason is just plain silly.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Outboard Battery Question

In my view it isn't even an issue with a problem with devices taking a dump. It is more about leaving something running. One can use a battery disconnect (preferred in my view) or a simple MASTER switch at the helm to cut the feed to the fuse panel. Either will work if you happen to be one who regularly forgets things. The switch at the helm however does not disconnect the engine system or anything connected directly to the battery.

 

[zippy83]

Re: Outboard Battery Question

I have went and Installed the switch "Silvertip" has recommended. I found it at the local auto parts store. It works fine for what I need. I tucked it away from any moisture.

Thanks again
Zipp

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Outboard Battery Question

I have went and Installed the switch "Silvertip" has recommended. I found it at the local auto parts store. It works fine for what I need. I tucked it away from any moisture.

Thanks again
Zipp

I hope you mounted it on a bracket, and if not, that you insulatated the terminals. If the terminals bounce against ground, including an aluminum hull, you will likely have a hole in your boat and lots of sparks as you essentially created an arc welder.

 

[zippy83]

Re: Outboard Battery Question

I hope you mounted it on a bracket, and if not, that you insulatated the terminals. If the terminals bounce against ground, including an aluminum hull, you will likely have a hole in your boat and lots of sparks as you essentially created an arc welder.

I will have to get a bracket then and mount it on. and when you say "that you insulatated the terminals" do you mean with electrical tape?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Outboard Battery Question

If you have a bracket, its only necessary to insulate it if you can somehow bridge the terminals to ground. That is why its nice to use a switch designed to mount against a bulkhead with the terminals hidden behind the switch.

 

[only_1_flip]

Re: Outboard Battery Question

...I doubt he's talking TAPE in this application

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Outboard Battery Question

...I doubt he's talking TAPE in this application

The OP is the one that said it. Not us!