Power to the People

[Paulus]

Hi John, thanks for the great article in the Mainsheet. I have the Figure #1 set up in my boat and have had this set up in previous boats.
My question John, I have a Perko battery switch that goes: 2, all, 1, and then to Off.  Is it Ok to pass from 1 to all and also 2 to all?
A second question how would you hook the 110 battery charger into the system, I have two battery banks. 
Thanks for any input.
Paul

[Stu Jackson]

John's article was very good.

Battery switch:  they are "usually" make before break.  But to check that out you need to do two things: 1)  turn some lights on with the engine off and turn the switch to see if the lights dim or shut off when you do so; 2) find out how your alternator output is wired, i.e., from the alternator to the switch or directly to the house bank as John described.  The "Electrical 101" topic, accessed through the sticky "101" topics, has a lot of answers to your questions that parallel (PI) your questions and his article:  http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5977.0.html  It includes one or more about wiring to 1-2-B switches:  http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,6604.0.html

Charger hookup:   If you have a multi-output charger, run to both banks.  If you have a battery bank combiner/echo charger/ACR then run to the house bank.

I don't have the magazine available, but with the Figure #1 setup you say you have, as I recall, it's the basic original setup, discussed in the links provided above.

[Paulus]

It is in the March issue 2012.

[lazybone]

It is in the March issue 2012.

Still waiting for mine.

I must be on the B list.

[efhughes3]

It is in the March issue 2012.

Still waiting for mine.

I must be on the B list.

Me too! 

But, then again, I'm travelling this week and it may have been delivered in the past couple of days.