Battery? RE:Dog Gone It

[SkiDeep2001]

I found and fixed a battery ground problem and while researching I came across this charge controller. http://bluesea.com/products/7610 I have a Perko 2 way switch and was wondering if it is necessary or a good idea to install a product like this. It says it protects house circuits while starting your motor. Thoughts Rob

[Catigale]

Probably overkill imho. You can unplug anything you are concerned about easily enough (GPS, VHF, computers?) I think.

[ROAD Soldier]

I use a similar one that is a lot cheaper and love it. I got this and a 3rd battery after having to pull start my Honda when a faulty solar panel controller drained my batteries instead of charging them. It isolates my Start Battery when the volts drop below 12.5 and charges it when it detects a charge from the alternator of battery charger. Best of all on my Perko switch I only use the #2 position and off no more having to remember to switch positions when starting or sailing. I got mine even cheaper then this for $49.99 2 years ago and working great.
http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?pat ... &id=605576

[Trouts Dream]

Put that same combiner on 2 years ago and changed all lights to soft white LED. I actually have to run the radio for hours to draw down my batteries.

[SkiDeep2001]

Thanks guys.When you use the combiner does that eliminate or negate the need for the 2 way Perko, or is the 2 way just turned into a manual backup? Rob

[Trouts Dream]

Essentially I use it to keep a fully charged backup battery and of course to shut everything down when off the boat. I have a 3 year old battery as my workhorse and a 5 year old as a backup. The combiner allows axtra charge to keep the older battery topped up. once in a while I will switch to the backup and when I remember I will switch back. The combiner just makes it simple to charge both every time.

[Threms]

Hn highlander

Love your mods, nice when peoble try stuff, instead of just wondering how it could be.

But looking at your boat whith mods, im thinking you must hawe added alot of extra pounds?

Has it changed the preformence?

And is the trailor taking it well?

Daniel

PS. im impressed by your bov whith the 2x bruce ancor..

[Russ]

Thanks guys.When you use the combiner does that eliminate or negate the need for the 2 way Perko, or is the 2 way just turned into a manual backup? Rob

I find the combiner to be vastly simpler than the 2 way switch. My last boat had a 2 way switch and I constantly forgot to put it back to house battery bank when the motor was off.
The combiner is a no brainer. 1 battery is just for starting and the other is for house. When the motor is running, both charge together. When it's off, the starting batt is isolated and kept fresh.

As for that device in the opening post. Overkill on our boats. I've never had a problem with electronics.

--Russ