Battery switch will not switch "OFF"

L

localboy

New member
Went outside to do some small stuff in the boat. Battery switch now will not switch off. Stays "ON" no matter what. Gonna take it apart; see what is within. May be time for a new Blue Sea "Add-A-Battery".
 
Mark
Two years ago my switch stuck in the off postion, all I did was spray some WD40 down at the base of the switch. Worked fine ever since. Use a can with the straw
 
Sorry for the following nag. But the middle daughter left after the New Year and everything's sorta quiet.

There are a lot of failure modes in a switch, all the way from a stuck knob to broken contacts. If a broken contact or corrosion is present, you can get a lot of heat from the poor connection. And, a poor connection can build up heat, melt the switch and when you're out fishing the back of the boat bursts into flame and you've got a 3 mile swim in front of you.

The point I'm trying to made, is that for C-Dory use, battery switches are cheap. 23 bucks at Defender. Just replace the thing instead of nursing it.

Yours in swimming, Boris
 
Boris, I had that problem with a off/1/2/both switch. Bad contact at #1 - heat buildup,,,,,, replaced it with a new one but it still worked good between #2 and the common,,, so I used it as a on/off switch for my inverter. I got the notion that if I was ever swamped it might be a good idea to have a quick disconnect for the 12v going to the inverter. Standing in a boat full of water I would be skeptical about trusting the little on/off switch on the inverter!

Sorry for jabbering on - but like Boris, I'm bored - its winter here - waters all crunchy - not quite enough power,,,,weight or hull strength to be an ice breaker,,,, oh well they say not to wish away the seasons or you'll be wishing away your life - I'll just keep telling myself that :D :D

Regards, Rob
 
I just ordered the Blue Sea Mini Add-A-Battery from Defender. Fisheries wanted $115 and Defender had it for $86 + frt but I needed a couple of other small things.
 
I added the add-a-battery system a few years ago. Plus I cleaned up all the wires going to the battery terminals by installing bus bars for both batteries. Clean and easy.

Peter
C-Dancer
 
I believe it does but I really haven't tested the "combine" function since both batteries are fairly new and didn't need the extra juice. I just like the fact that I switch it to the "On" position and forget about it, not thinking about should it be on 1, 2 or 1+2.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help but I do like the simplicity of the system.

Peter
 
I installed Blue Sea components that are just like the "Add-a-Battery" system with one exception. When I bought, the system came with a full-sized battery switch. I wanted the smaller switch (same functions), so bought the parts separately. It's possible they may have changed (or have more) kit options now that they also have a smaller ACR.
 
Jazzmanic":379u3opd said:
I believe it does but I really haven't tested the "combine" function since both batteries are fairly new and didn't need the extra juice. I just like the fact that I switch it to the "On" position and forget about it, not thinking about should it be on 1, 2 or 1+2.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help but I do like the simplicity of the system.

Peter
Click to expand...

Simplicity is what I was looking for, Peter. We have a starter and a deep cycle (group 31) and to constantly remember to switch them is just one more thing to, well, remember. I just got back in town from a work trip so I'm gonna try to get it installed.

...the smaller switch (same functions), so bought the parts separately. It's possible they may have changed (or have more) kit options now that they also have a smaller ACR.
Click to expand...

That is what I purchased. Package said it's perfect for an outboard w/ under a 65 amp alternator. Much smaller components and there is not much mounting room where the old switch is.
 
My boat was delivered without a switch..... it's hot all the time... it's one of those things that I just never got around to putting on...surely you would think the place that did the rigging (the C-Dory dealer) would have installed one....

It was also delivered with an automatic bilge pump that would turn itself on every couple of minutes... it was a nice switch, and first class pump but when the boat was in storage it would kill the batteries.... I removed the automatic part of the pump .... what I really should have done was to install the on/off to the batteries...

Joel
SEA3PO
 
Mark, you have not responded to suggestions about getting a VSR (voltage sensing relay). That is in my mind really critical and I highly recommend it. It makes sure that your starting battery is always fully charged first before it switches, automatically, to charging the house battery or batteries. You don't gave to remember to change any switches and you don't end up with a dead starting battery (unless you run the house with your switch in the "both" position, which you would not do).
 
Pat, I did order and just received the Blue Sea Mini Add-A-Battery. It has the relay unit. Should make the task of remembering to switch them obsolete. 8)
 
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