Battery Switch Location

Electricity is a funny thing for folks: some understand it, some sort of understand it, a lot don't understand it at all. For folks that have a good working knowledge of electricity and their systems there are lots of ways to make things work. The same way an experienced driver can make a 15-speed Road Ranger transmission work in a semi...most of us have automatics in our cars and trucks (or maybe a 5-speed). That there is the gist of the difference between setting up a good system or setting up a tolerable system. It's all in the understanding.

Realizing that most folks drive automatics (statistically anyway) I tend to install systems that don't require much understanding from the owner/operator (do you really want to know how that automatic works?). Most folks derive pleasure from using the boat (a few sick individuals actually derive pleasure from working on them) so another goal is to keep the system working 100% of the time without user intervention.

Technology has given us the means to do so simply and without extraordinary expense. In fact a look at the West Marine Advisor will show that their recommended system is simple, robust, and easy to use.

You can flip switches, keep track of the last time you chose a different battery, look at the voltage to check to see if you need to charge a battery, etc or you can install a system that requires you to place the battery switch in the "on" position and then go boat...your choice. :)
 
Those little hidden ground wires got me too and I was trying to convince myself it was working but I just couldn't find the proof. They were not even mentioned in the included wiring directions which I still have and confirmed it.

They have been working perfectly after hooking them up and I almost feel like I have too much power available now. Two 27s, Two 31s, and a plug and play 24 (435AH total) if I get greedy.

I love those little U1s and wish I had an excuse to get one. They seem like a great little size for powering a small trolling motor on a dinghy.
 
I love the U 1's, probably dropped 80 pounds off the starboard stern. Can't imagine what a negative would be, as long as I have the house battery. One of the best investments yet.
 
If I keep the boat long enough to wear out the year old starting batteries I already have, I think I will look into replacing them with U1 size units.
 
Les Lampman":3f3cii7e said:
Electricity is a funny thing for folks...

You can flip switches, keep track of the last time you chose a different battery, look at the voltage to check to see if you need to charge a battery, etc or you can install a system that requires you to place the battery switch in the "on" position and then go boat...your choice. :)
Click to expand...



If I were to install an Add-a-Battery system and connect the alternator output from my kicker directly to my starter battery, would I then not have to worry about both the kicker and the main motor running (and charging) at the same time?

jd
 
nimrod":2awm7y29 said:
Les Lampman":2awm7y29 said:
Electricity is a funny thing for folks...

You can flip switches, keep track of the last time you chose a different battery, look at the voltage to check to see if you need to charge a battery, etc or you can install a system that requires you to place the battery switch in the "on" position and then go boat...your choice. :)
Click to expand...



If I were to install an Add-a-Battery system and connect the alternator output from my kicker directly to my starter battery, would I then not have to worry about both the kicker and the main motor running (and charging) at the same time?

jd
Click to expand...

JD,

That's correct! :thup

Les
 
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