Wiring to a battery switch

[Cincy Aquaholic]

In another thread I'm describing my stereo upgrade but have a more general battery switch wiring question that I thought warranted a new thread.

I'd like to wire my amp to a battery switch that will allow it to play off either my port 1, 2 or both battery bank depending on the position of the switch. Its the switch on the left. I don't want it to draw off the same battery all the time and I don't want it to draw off both batteries all the time unless its in the "both" position. Is this possible? If so, where do I connect it to? My thought was to actually connect it to the switch that turns the power to my generator on and off. Its the orange one. The generator can be powered with either battery No. 1, 2 or both depending on the position of the switch. But is not powered by the starboard battery.

 

[MLauman]

Your port battery switch has 3 connections labeled 1, 2, and COM. Just connect it to the COM connection and it will work as you suggest. Remember to put a fuse on it as close to the switch as possible.

Edit - you could accomplish the same thing by using the hot side of the orange switch. My philosophy is to keep the number of components to the minimum required so I'd go to the main switch instead.

 

[Cincy Aquaholic]

Thanks! Yes, I've got the fuse block and will wire it about 6 inches from the switch.

 

[JC3]

Cincy, When you get done please post a picture of this. Thanks, JC

 

[ohsnow]

How many batteries are in the boat.
It really is not a good idea to draw power for amps from your starting battery.
i believe in your earlier post you showed the JL 900 amp? Is it the HD version? It uses mush less power draw.

 

[Cincy Aquaholic]

I've got three batteries. One (on the starboard engine) is on a separate circuit and only powers that motor for starting as I understand it. So, unless I do something weird I should always be able to fire that one up. The other 2, where I intend to wire the amp, start the port engine and supply the house power and power to the generator. Not sure why the generator isn't on the starboard battery too?? Seems like it would take less power to start than the motor in the event that single battery did run down. I could then charge them all up.

As it is now, if my house batteries die (which happened before I replaced them) then I had to start the starboard engine to get power to start the generator.

Anyway, yes, I have the HD 900/5. Supposedly very efficient.