Where to put disconnect switch?

[dca2]

I have a 2000 Triton 18sf with a 150 Johnson. Crank/acc battery keeps being drained. I have not troubleshooted each circuit.

Several times I have found the depth finder on or the a running light switch in the bow flipped - this turns on a small courtesy light, my running lights are unplugged. My kids or the cat hit the light switch unknowingly, boys sometime turn on the depth finder. Other times I can't put my finger on it.

The charging system is working(checked with multimeter) I have an onboard charger but it only charges my two deep cycles for the trolling motor.

Now the question: I have a marine single battery disconnect switch. Should I install this in my battery compartment to disconnect the acc wire and the starter wire from my crank battery OR install it up by the dash before the fuse panel and leave the starter wire hooked up at the battery?

The second option is much easier to install due to accessibility but back at the battery is not impossible.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Where to put disconnect switch?

If your goal is just to protect acc's from being accidently turned on by your kids the cat or whatever then by all means just put where it will be conveinient, main feed to the fuse block under the dash would work.

 

[pvanv]

Re: Where to put disconnect switch?

a70 is absolutely correct. However, you don't need a 100-amp battery disconnect switch for a few amps of instrumentation.

The battery disconnect sw is intended to be near the battery bank. A purist would probably insist that it be placed there. But for your needs, a more diminutive switch near the console would probably be fine.

 

[dca2]

Re: Where to put disconnect switch?

The more I read I am starting to lean towards the complete disconnect -- would be nice in case of electrical emergency (assuming open hatch, get hand in there, etc....) At least the fire ext is easy to get to!