New battery selector switch

[FrankR]

Battery switch to control use and charging. The choises are both batteries, or one battery, or no batteries. Digital voltmeter used to monitor batteries condition.. Frank

[Silver Hawk]

All boats have these - to separate starting batt. from house batt. Keeps you from running down both and not being able to start engine. Can be purchased at any boat store. Not sure need on RV.

[Bruce B]

Just a word of caution here.
This type of switch is prone to failure.
Burned and Bad 1-2-Both Switches
The link is to the Ample Power website.
David Smead the author has literally written the book on the subject of 12 volt power. He is one of the best. If you need a battery kill switch, consider one of these Hella switches as they are very reliable....
Accessories, Battery Switches, - Hella Marine
Just my 2 cents..
Bruce

[Wazbro]

Originally Posted by Bruce B

Just a word of caution here.
This type of switch is prone to failure.
Burned and Bad 1-2-Both Switches
The link is to the Ample Power website.
David Smead the author has literally written the book on the subject of 12 volt power. He is one of the best. If you need a battery kill switch, consider one of these Hella switches as they are very reliable....
Accessories, Battery Switches, - Hella Marine
Just my 2 cents..
Bruce

At least it's not nearly as bad in a trailer as in a boat, as in the article.

In a trailer unless using a large inverter you would normally not have more then 60 amps going through the switch, not the 150 amps in a boat and a modern converter can safely supply 12V without a battery in the system.

[mefly2]

Minimize the load before switching batteries or battery banks and the switch will last as long as you and I.

[Bruce B]

Originally Posted by mefly2

Minimize the load before switching batteries or battery banks and the switch will last as long as you and I.

I tried to warn you!

Our current boat has three of these rotary switches and they are fine in 8 seasons of sailing but I have been lucky. I have experienced a couple of meltdowns in as many seasons (2) when the switches are never switched under any load and the loads are not that high in the first place.

I do not trust them....

I have replacements for the boat that I will install this year as I know I am pushing my luck. Makes me wonder if it is truly a design issue as Smead suggests or if it is a quality control issue. I will dissect the switches after I remove them just to see what is there....

Bruce

[mefly2]

Yes, please keep us posted. My experience is dated back a few years and quality control may have changed significantly from the switches on our 8 meter sailboat.