Battery Switch Location

Tug · Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 5:23 pm Post subject: Battery Switch Location

I still have not started my battery switch project...have the battery switch, enough # 4 welding cable..lugs.....The location for the switch that i had first picked probably isn't the safest place there is...on the splash well wall....toooo wet there. My question is...where have others with pre-1987 C-Dory's placed their battery switch and does the battery switch have to be protected from the elements/rain. Thanks Tug

thataway · Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 9:03 pm Post subject:

I like to place my battery switch so that it is protected. I have done both under hatches, or under splash wells (various types of boats)--or even thru the wall of a area which has a enclosed space. For example my Caracal, as a lararette simlar to the C Dory22. I used a Hella Windlass Circut on/off switch--with the terminals on the inside of the lazarette, and the neck of the switch to the cockpit. I cover the neck with a slip on crutch tip to protect it, when the switch is not "on", and the Key is out of it. This also is a secondary security system, since you need the red "Key" to turn the battery on. You can mout some of the 1/2/all/off, switches with the lever outside, and a cut out for the terminals thru the fiberglass, or the flush mounted swithch inside--use screw head grommets for the bolts, for a finished look.

Tug · Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2010 11:22 am Post subject:

Would it be too long a cable run to put the Perko Battery Switch on the inside of the cabin bulkhead...it would be more secure and protected from the elements.Have anyone done this and what gauge battery or # arc welding cable would you need.Thanks Tug

Sea Wolf · Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2010 12:21 pm Post subject:

Tug-

The cable run forward to the cabin and back would add a lot of resistance and voltage loss without using very large cables, and probably isn't necessary.

You've got a perfectly good spot right inside the engine well under the bait cutting board or table.

I'd mount the switch under the fish cutting board right alongside the battery boxes on the backside of the front wall of that engine well bulkhead (see photo below).

If I thought the well was not protected enough right there, I'd put the switch inside a plastic box in there, sealing if off from the splash water in the well.

Another possibility would be to mount it right there, with the shaft protruding forward into the cockpit with the switch knob accessible without removing the fish bait table , especially if removing the table to turn the switch on and off was difficult.

MARINE BATTERY SWITCHES LINK

Joe. Teeth

Tug · Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2010 1:04 pm Post subject:

Joe...i owe you a beer.lol....I was going to install the switch under the cutting board but i thought it might get wet there....the plastic box is a great idea. Problem solved..thanks....Tug

rob bauerle · Posted: Sun May 29, 2011 10:16 am Post subject:

My new to me c-dory only has one battery. I would like to add a second one. It has a Blue Seas battery switch which has a on and off. Would you put a second swith in for 1,2,both or would you replace that blue seas swith with one for two batteries? also since there is a alternator in the kicker motor, would you connect that to the second battery?

Papacorn · Posted: Sun May 29, 2011 10:45 am Post subject:

I haven't bought a C-dory YET but here is a link to what I've used on another boat.
http://www.ssicustomplastics.com/switches.htm

Sea Wolf · Posted: Sun May 29, 2011 4:02 pm Post subject:

rob bauerle · Posted: Sun May 29, 2011 10:38 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the replay. Sorry didn't get back to you sooner but had to take the wife to see Wicked which wasn't cheap but like my wife says,"hell of a lot cheaper than that boat"

Sea Wolf · Posted: Sun May 29, 2011 10:50 pm Post subject:

rob bauerle · Posted: Sun May 29, 2011 11:11 pm Post subject:

Nope than i would be sleeping in the boat all the time

Sea Angel · Posted: Mon May 30, 2011 12:49 pm Post subject:

Battery Switching suggestion:

If you use the manual "off, 1,both,2" battery selector switch you can run the risk of damaging the charge circuit of the engine if the switch is done while the engine is running. I paid the price for this 'goof'.

It is a very good practical means of isolating the batteries and not as expensive as another means. To prevent me from repeating the earlier mistake, I found the answer with the setup as noted below. Most all the electrical hookups are documented in the Sea Angel album; i.e. as below.

http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?set_albumName=album1366&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

This setup has proven "DUMMY PROOF" for me and I do have 3 batteries to manage with the twin OBs. This setup has also been adopted by Tivo for his CD16, Litl' Tug, and his setup may be closer to your present situation.

Please feel free to PM me with any questions.

Art

rob bauerle · Posted: Mon May 30, 2011 6:57 pm Post subject:

Thanks so much Art for posting that. The drawings and pictures were great. I would love to see your boat. On this Memorial day, I want to thank you for your service.

LTC, USAR,(RET)

Sea Angel · Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 6:43 pm Post subject:

Rob;
Anytime you're in Va. Beach area let me know and if WX permits, etc., we'll take a spin.

Art

rob bauerle · Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 10:45 am Post subject:

Art, I had another question. With your dual motors, it's important to prevent any back feed from the charging loop. With my main and kicker is it important to make sure that one charging motor doesn't feed to the opposite motor? One will be off all the time. Do the battery switches prevent this or do you need some type of diode or isolator?