Starter battery switch

[Lance Jones]

In reading about the dedicated starter battery, it mentions an automatic switch between + battery and + starter solenoid but, doesn't say what type: rocker, toggle, rotating, light switch, wooden, another solenoid. What type switch is it?

[Ron Hill]

Lance : The switch need to be a heavy duty (to handle amperage).
 
The switch that I use is a Cole Hersee On/Off switch page 409 West Marine catalog.  There is also a Hella switch with a key that you could use. Also there is a two position battery selector switch on the same page -- so take your choice!!

Hope this helps.

[Stu Jackson]

In reading about the dedicated starter battery, it mentions an automatic switch between + battery and + starter solenoid but...

Lance, can you be more specific?  "...it mentions..." could be any number of articles.  Do you have a link to the one you are referring to?

[Ken Juul]

I use a rotating on/off switch similar to the 1/2/B/off switch.  Think it is a perko, available at West Marine.

[Stu Jackson]

http://www.perko.com/catalog/category/battery_switches/product/150/

[Lance Jones]

I'm referring to this diagram. I read, not sure where on this forum, that the battery switch needs to open and close only for the duration of the starter button being depressed.

[Ken Juul]

When you install a stand alone battery as a start or reserve battery, the only time it get turned off is when you leave the boat.  So all the charging sources should be off already.  Not switching between charging destinations so the make before break doesn't matter.

[Lance Jones]

From what I read, the charging will take place through the combiner that is attached to the main and starter battery banks at the + terminal of the battery so that with the starter battery "turned off", it still gets charged.

[mainesail]

From what I read, the charging will take place through the combiner that is attached to the main and starter battery banks at the + terminal of the battery so that with the starter battery "turned off", it still gets charged.

If you isolate the start battery then you leave that switch on when the engine is running.. I really prefer the Blue Sea battery switches to any others as they have undergone more critical testing than just about any other brand..

Also I will not use anything smaller than a 200A fuse on an M-25. Smaller leaves the potential for an eventual nuisance trip.

[Stu Jackson]

I'm referring to this diagram. I read, not sure where on this forum, that the battery switch needs to open and close only for the duration of the starter button being depressed.

Lance,

That diagram has been superseded.  There is a large BOX at the top of the wiki that says:

Now includes changes to the Echo Charger wiring that moved from the switch to the individual banks (Stu October 2009)
NEW wiring diagram by Walt Tunnessen  March 2010 
VERY IMPORTANT MODIFICATION discussed here on the message board:  http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,6225.0.html

If you look again at that wiki article, an updated diagram is there at the bottom with detailed explanations as to why it has been improved.

http://www.c34.org/wiki/index.php?title=Catalina_34_Electrical_System_Upgrade