Yet another Perko switch wiring question

(taylormade) · (taylormade) **Join Date: Jun 2001** 05-08-2006, 8:29 AM

I've scrolled through the hundreds of dual batteries threads that exist in the archives, but have yet to find one that specifically addresses the wiring of the perko switch. Is it as simple as it seems? Do I just cut off the terminal connector on my battery wire and put on a "starter" terminal on it and connect it to the common post on the perko switch? Or should the wire for the breaker be attached to the common post? I've attached a very rough sketch of what I believe to be the way to wire the perko. Please confirm or correct me. Thanks. Upload

(bob) · (bob) **Join Date: Feb 2001** 05-08-2006, 10:24 AM

http://www.hellroaring.com/4way.php

here you go Scott, looks very similar to what you are doing. Are you going to add some sort of isolator/combiner?

(taylormade) · (taylormade) **Join Date: Jun 2001** 05-08-2006, 10:33 AM

thanks Bob, I wasn't planning on adding an isolator, just the Perko switch and the battery. Maybe both cables are supposed to go to the common... I dunno.

(billthom) · (billthom) **Join Date: Apr 2005** 05-08-2006, 10:42 AM

What about this:

http://gator49.hostgator.com/~zeromyst/catalog/images/Fig.%208501-8504%20Inst..pdf?osCsid=59cad14c2f4ef072cc3b445489 2b4b42

Isn't diagram 1 what you want?

(taylormade) · (taylormade) **Join Date: Jun 2001** 05-08-2006, 10:51 AM

Yeah, I have that, Bill, thanks. What I'm not 100% certain of is whether I'm supposed to be taking both of the positive leads I have right now and put them to the Perko switch or just one... and then if it's just one, which one.

(boarder_x) · (boarder_x) **Join Date: Mar 2006** 05-08-2006, 11:28 AM

Where can I go to see a combiner/ isolater? I want see one and ask questions. Would somewhere like a 4X4 shop carry them? What about an RV store?

Thanks,

Robb

(sangerlover) · (sangerlover) **Join Date: Sep 2005** 05-08-2006, 11:42 AM

You can get the combiner at Yandina.com . I purchased the c100 . Diagram 1 is also how I wired the Perko switch.

BTW, If you call the tech line at Yandina there is guy that will answer all your questions.

(Message edited by sangerlover on May 08, 2006)

(billthom) · (billthom) **Join Date: Apr 2005** 05-08-2006, 12:02 PM

On my Perko switch I have both positive leads going to the switch, just like your picture shows.

But, my breaker is coming off the switch's common as well, not off a single batt.

(taylormade) · (taylormade) **Join Date: Jun 2001** 05-08-2006, 12:06 PM

Sorry, I guess I didn't state that too clearly. I know that both batteries positive leads need to go to the perko, I just didn't know whether both of the leads I have right now on the single battery go to the common or just one... and if only one, which one?

(taylormade) · (taylormade) **Join Date: Jun 2001** 05-08-2006, 1:52 PM

So Bill, are you saying that you have everything that was on the positive terminal of the original battery on the common of the switch? I may try that tonight and see what happens.

(billthom) · (billthom) **Join Date: Apr 2005** 05-08-2006, 2:46 PM

Yes, that is what I am saying. Everything runs off the switch. I have both the curcuit breaker line (which runs under the dash) and my amp hookup both off the switch.

I could be wrong, but it appears by your drawing that you will never be switching between batteries? Your breaker will always run on #1 and I can't tell what exactly you are putting on #2 (your amps?).

Maybe a question for you is, what exactly do you want? Do you want all electronics on your boat to be able to be run from either battery? Or....?

(taylormade) · (taylormade) **Join Date: Jun 2001** 05-08-2006, 6:21 PM

Yeah, after I sat in the boat tonight I figured it all out and hooked it up and it worked like a charm. Thanks to all for your help. Actually I got a great opportunity to test it out as last night, while putting the cover on, I must have turned on my courtesy lights and the battery was completely dead. Hooked it all up, turned the switch to 2, and it started right up. Then I turned the switch to ALL and took a leisurely cruise around the lake. Got back to the dock, turned it off and switched it back to 1, turned the key, started it right up. Works like a charm!!