Battery - Main Switch (who uses one?)

[wellsc1]

I recently put a main switch on my battery to totally remove power from the boat - including the accessory wire. Does everyone use one, and how do you handle the accessory wire?

 

[Reel Kahuna]

Re: Battery - Main Switch (who uses one?)

I have a Perko 2 battery switch on each of my boat that kills all 12V power; however, I have the bilge pump hard wired to the battery.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Battery - Main Switch (who uses one?)

agree with Kahuna--you want all power to all systems off, except the bilge pump/float switch, which is independent and direct. Boats leak electricity especially in salt water. And my sister was on our boat (17') when a short caught the wiring on fire (we then added the cut-off).

I have one boat with nothing electric except the start/tilt, so it doesn't have a switch, and it's more often than not on the trailer. Anything more than that, I'd get one.

Be sure you mount the switch were it won't get wet esp. not swamped by an overwash.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Battery - Main Switch (who uses one?)

Got the Perko 2 battery switch, went to a 2 battery set up this year so I can have BAT1, BAT2 or both plus the starting battery.

My boat is trailered so the bilges is hooked into the regular wire loom.

Makes it easy to work on the boat, no need to disconnect the battery, one of mine is located under the bow deck so it a real pain to get to.