Help relocating battery switch

[vetting]

I need some help relocating battery switch. Its currenlty located in the bilge/engine compartment right next to where the batteries sit. Doesnt really make it easy when you have to remove the full engine cover just to switch between batteries or to cut power in an emergency.

Is there a proper way to move this up into the actual compartment in the boat - thinking on putting it back behind a panel with a access door about 4 feet from where the switch is now. Should I just use a bus bar and run the one line up to the switch and 2 lines back down to the batteries? Should I just just upgrade to a Switch with an ACR Add-A-Battery Kit - 120A - Blue Sea Systems - would probably still mount the switch behind an access door so I can get to it when needed.

 

[Splat]

Re: Help relocating battery switch

If you can find a heavy enough bus bar to handle the house and motor loads you can run them to it, then run a single cable to the new switch location. I would run new battery cables if proper gauge though, rather than trying to splice them.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Help relocating battery switch

If you are routinely switching batteries so they charge, an ACR will make life much easier.
Adding length to battery cables just for convenience sake is not a good idea.
The cables are over stressed to begin with, adding more length will not help anything.

If you are intent on moving the switch, increase the cable gauge by 2 or 4 gauges.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Help relocating battery switch

Or go to a welding store and get some #1 copper welding cable and crimp the battery cable ends on.
Use that for the new run to the starter and the batteries.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Help relocating battery switch

I use a remote switch and switch it on/off from my key fob.

you can see it mounted on my battery here:

 

[sam am I]

Re: Help relocating battery switch

ML-RBS Remote Battery Switch with Manual Control - 12V DC 500A.....Leave the switch/s where it's already wired but, take the control(wired) of it forward to wherever you want. Might save headache of running new mega wire and spending $$$ on doing it. Sorta safer too!! BUT.....some of this Bluesea stuff ain't cheap either :juggle:

Wire up as many as you want/need(use two wired as "Off, 1, Both, 2") and run/use 16AWG(minimum) to run them remotely .

They have manual override in the event you miss(need) the old way.

ML-RBS Remote Battery Switch with Manual Control - 12V DC 500A - Blue Sea Systems




Better yet.......Configure this up and yer off to Mars!!




@ Howard.......Like the wireless idea BTW, slick!!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Help relocating battery switch

Personally, I would buy new cables if I was going to move it. I also probably wouldn't move it.

Get new cables made at https://www.genuinedealz.com/

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Help relocating battery switch

@ Howard.......Like the wireless idea BTW, slick!!

The remote kit was $99 and I got it on sale for $30. It was simple to install and has worked flawlessly for 4 or 5 years now.

 

[vetting]

Re: Help relocating battery switch

Had a buddy hook me up with some really nice silver plated wire, so I am going to move the switch. The wire he gave me was split out of a 4 wire casing for heavy machinery.

So here is the plan
Run the + cables that go to the accessories to a common stud (these used to run right to the switch).
PowerPost - 5/16"-18 Stud - Blue Sea Systems
Then run a new cable from that to the battery switch.

The starter cable will be shorter now with the new battery switch location - run the starter cable to the battery switch.

Then take more of the new cable and run 2 separate runs - one to each battery.