Perko battery switching

[Steve B.]

Hey All,

I have the Perko battery switch for the two battery system. Wondering if you can make a switch, while the engine is running?

Let's say you start up on battery 1, but want to switch to battery 2 to charge it, while running.

Thanks in advance,

Steve B.

[RTS]

You can, but be VERY careful not to go through the 'OFF' position while the engine is running unless you have the field disconnect 'option' properly set up. Otherwise you risk smoking your alternator.

Going from "1" to "Both" to "2" and back again is OK, just don't hit the "OFF" setting.

Best practice is to not turn the switch with the engine running...just to avoid alternator damage.

So the answer to your question is yes...sometimes. To do what you wanted (start on one battery then switch to another to charge it) will be OK.

Edited January 19, 2011 by RTS

[Bobby Light]

Hey All,

I have the Perko battery switch for the two battery system. Wondering if you can make a switch, while the engine is running?

Let's say you start up on battery 1, but want to switch to battery 2 to charge it, while running.

Thanks in advance,

Steve B.

Better to leave it on "both" if you can remember to switch if while at rest if using lots of juice.

[Murphy8166]

Would not be my first choice. All it takes is a blown fuse to ruin a day on the water, hope you are a strong swimmer.

Does it really take that much time to shut the boat down, flip the switch, and start the boat back up.

I personally think that Perko makes a pretty crappy switch. The Blue Sea Switch that I have posited below is a much better product and allows you to switch between batteries while the engine running.

http://bluesea.com/category/1/products/5511e

[RTS]

Would not be my first choice. All it takes is a blown fuse to ruin a day on the water, hope you are a strong swimmer.

Does it really take that much time to shut the boat down, flip the switch, and start the boat back up.

I personally think that Perko makes a pretty crappy switch. The Blue Sea Switch that I have posited below is a much better product and allows you to switch between batteries while the engine running.

http://bluesea.com/category/1/products/5511e

How do you switch to battery 2 with that switch? Looks like your choices are 'BATTery 1' or 'Both' or 'OFF'.

EDIT: Scratch that...I see now that there are multiple models in that switch family...not just the one pictured.

Edited January 19, 2011 by RTS

[Wakesetter67]

Not to highjack the thred, But If the perko is on Batt #1 Will it not charge both, Or the obvious it has to be set on 1 & 2 batt to charge both...hope that made sence???

[RTS]

Both batteries will not charge with the switch set to '1' or '2'.

[Ndawg12]

Would not be my first choice. All it takes is a blown fuse to ruin a day on the water, hope you are a strong swimmer.

Does it really take that much time to shut the boat down, flip the switch, and start the boat back up.

I personally think that Perko makes a pretty crappy switch. The Blue Sea Switch that I have posited below is a much better product and allows you to switch between batteries while the engine running.

http://bluesea.com/category/1/products/5511e

What is so crappy about the Perko switch and what makes the Blue Sea better? I haven't any issues out of mine, I bought it on Ebay for $20, how much does the Blue Sea cost?

[Steve B.]

Would not be my first choice. All it takes is a blown fuse to ruin a day on the water, hope you are a strong swimmer.

Does it really take that much time to shut the boat down, flip the switch, and start the boat back up.

I personally think that Perko makes a pretty crappy switch. The Blue Sea Switch that I have posited below is a much better product and allows you to switch between batteries while the engine running.

http://bluesea.com/category/1/products/5511e

Ahh, thanks. That made me think of a better way. When we stop to chill with the stereo and stuff on, I should switch to "2" so I only drain one battery. Then, when we are ready to cruise, switch to "both", so I get both power and then charge both !

Rather than use "1" for running, and "2" for chilling.

This sounds good doesn't it?

Steve B.

[dalt1]

Nothing wrong with Perko. I have had mine for 4 years now. Works great and I switch on the run. Just remember to never hit off position while running.

Edited January 20, 2011 by dalt1

[RTS]

Ahh, thanks. That made me think of a better way. When we stop to chill with the stereo and stuff on, I should switch to "2" so I only drain one battery. Then, when we are ready to cruise, switch to "both", so I get both power and then charge both !

Rather than use "1" for running, and "2" for chilling.

This sounds good doesn't it?

Steve B.

Actually, it would be better to drain one battery, then switch to the other for starting, then swith to 'BOTH' for cruising and charging.

The reason for this is that if you switch to 'BOTH' with one drained battery and one full battery, they will try to equalize...i.e. the full one is going to start immediately draining into the empty one.

[Pistol Pete]

Have any of you ever disconnected a battery on a running car?

What happens?

[Murphy8166]

Put your hands on a Blue Sea switch and you will see the difference. You can find a blue sea for about 10 more.

The blue sea allows and promotes the user being able to switch under load.

I had a perko and the housing cracked. Maybe I should have said the perko is good but the blue sea is better.

[Steve B.]

Have any of you ever disconnected a battery on a running car?

What happens?

Oh sure. Back in the day of jet boat skiing with big blocks. I can't remember why we needed to do it, but, with engine running we had to pull the battery connections.

Evidently, the engine can run off the alternator rather than feed off the battery.

Steve B.

[Guest J-Ro]

I would think the reason for switching on the run would be to start on the full battery but then charge the dead battery. No?

[dalt1]

I switch on the run because I forgot to switch before starting. Had 2 blue top optimas for 4 full seasons now @730 hrs and still going strong. Don't worry about which has more charge and all that.

[Murphy8166]

Why wouldn't you just start the boat with the switch in the combine or all position?

This way battery 1 and 2 supplies the juice to get it started and then the alternator would charge battery 1 and 2 together?

No flipping a switch.

[RTS]

Or just take it a step further and get rid of that pesky switch and hook up your two batteries in parallel full time.

[Bobby Light]

Or just take it a step further and get rid of that pesky switch and hook up your two batteries in parallel full time.

Great idea then you have no ability to isolate for a reserve starting battery leaving you stranded out on the water if the wrong situation presents itself. That sounds like a party .

[Ronnie]

I haven't looked at it in a while but isn't that unit Murphy linked to above similar to the Isolator/Combiner that Malibu options on the new boats? I have one but I'm not going to go out to the dock and uncover the boat in this cold. 06VLX, don't you have one of those too?

[Bobby Light]

I haven't looked at it in a while but isn't that unit Murphy linked to above similar to the Isolator/Combiner that Malibu options on the new boats? I have one but I'm not going to go out to the dock and uncover the boat in this cold. 06VLX, don't you have one of those too?

Yeah I've got a Blue Sea ACR on mine. It does require a switch, but the switch can be a simple On/Off/Combine switch. Doesn't need the ability to isolate to #2. Works good, ran them for years. The one Malibu provides is a BEP brand, same concept though.

Edited January 20, 2011 by 06vlx

[Bill_AirJunky]

Why wouldn't you just start the boat with the switch in the combine or all position?

This way battery 1 and 2 supplies the juice to get it started and then the alternator would charge battery 1 and 2 together?

No flipping a switch.

It's just something you get used to babysitting. This is essentially how I run mine all the time. ^^^

When we're stopped for any length of time, I put the switch on 1 so the stereo is not draining the starting battery. Then when I'm ready to go, I try to remember to switch it back to All. If I don't the boat will usually start fine from just the 1 battery. But occasionally it reminds with a slow start or a click.... then I make the switch when it's convenient.

BTW, I moor the boat for weeks or months at a time. And I turn the switch to OFF when I'm not around. I moved the power wire for the auto bilge directly to the stereo battery so it is not effected by the switch at all. So if for some reason the boat was filling up with water, the auto bilge will come on & have a full deep cycle battery supplying power.... even though the battery is off to all the other accessories. And it could drain that battery to death & the starting battery is still ready to get the engine started.

Edited January 20, 2011 by Bill_AirJunky

[rugger]

Good discussion. I used to have a Blue Sea with the VSR... which sure seems like the way to go. On my new boat I now have a basic Perko 1-2-off switch, which I'm sure will work fine, but not as nice as the other. If I didn't already have a switch, I'd definitely recommend the VSR combo to avoid thinking about the charging aspect.

[Ndawg12]

Have any of you ever disconnected a battery on a running car?

What happens?

Ole Pete, asking questions he knows the answers to, you would make a good teacher, but it probably doesn't pay as well as a full-time Santa Claus :biggrin Nothing happens if the alternator is functioning properly. So why is it so bad to switch the perko to off while under way? Or is it?

[pielet97]

I too have removed the battery from a running car, but I also did it to a running outboard motor. Very different results. The outboard motor fried the stator and CDI.