Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Hello, I have a dual Battery setup with a Perko switch. I purchased the boat used. I am not 100% sure if the switch is working the way is supposed to. It has Pos. 1, Pos. 2. OFF. and Both.
If I have it on #1 that means it will only charge #1 when running? Also if I unhook #1 (remove cables) I could swear it still cranks the engine...is that possible?

If the switch was installed correctly, no you should not be able to start the engine (on Batt 1) if you removed the #1 battery cable from the switch. Here is a simple diagram of a typical dual batt switch set up.

Ok, I installed a new wire harness EZACDC that runs the nav lights, dock lights, and an a misc light. The harness has its own positive and negative connections. I have it currently hooked up to batt 1. But that leaves power on to the dist switch panel constantly . Rather not have the switch panel powered up constantly. Any ideas? Can I run the harness thru the batt switch? Thanks for your HELP!

[quote="Tommy24a"]Ok, I installed a new wire harness EZACDC that runs the nav lights, dock lights, and an a misc light. The harness has its own positive and negative connections. I have it currently hooked up to batt 1. But that leaves power on to the dist switch panel constantly . Rather not have the switch panel powered up constantly. Any ideas? Can I run the harness thru the batt switch? Thanks for your HELP![/quote]

Yes.

I have a twin battery Perco setup on my pontoon boat, and when it's set to "off;" nothing has power.

I wouldn't have it any other way, due to electrolysis concerns.

My airboat's different, in that the automatic bilge pump works even when the Perco is set to "off," for obvious reasons. It has twin batteries, too.

I haven't owned a boat with a single battery setup in over 11 years, and on all; "off" killed the power to everything except the auto bilge pump.

So you are saying that I can run the harness through the Perko?

separate your harness to bat #2 and engine to bat #1. then wire batteries to the switch like the diagram. that way your starting (engine) battery is separate from your accessory battery. If switch is set to #2 your motor shouldn't crank..... set to off nothing works....

Ok, when u say separate the harness. .run the wires thru the switch also?

Another question. .if i separate my harness to battery 2. Say its at nite..i have it on #1 to start engine. .because my harness is on #2 i would have no nav lights correct?

[quote="Tommy24a"]Another question. .if i separate my harness to battery 2. Say its at nite..i have it on #1 to start engine. .because my harness is on #2 i would have no nav lights correct?[/quote]

You'd set the switch to "both" to run and have everything else powered.

Both of Perco switch positions are: off, bat 1, both, bat 2.