Perko Switch issue

By richard holmgren (gundogg) on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 7:08 am:


I just found Perko's website and they seem to think that it is fine to switch between all/1/2 because the switch is setup with a Make before Break connection. Therefore the alternator never loses connection when switching from one battery to the other one. So as I understand it it should be fine to switch between All/1/2, but you cannot switch to OFF.

I only ask because I wanted to install my perko switch this weekend...since I have had all kinds of battery trouble. The problem has been for about three years and for some reason something drains my battery if the boat sits for more than a day (usually 2-3 days) so I have been forced to disconnect the battery cables when I put the boat on the lift and when I return a few days later I have to hook everything up again... I had posted a few questions about this earlier, but I never got anywhere...anyway, I thought the problem was the alternator or the batteries so when I redid the stereo a few weeks ago I put in a new 150 Amp alternator and two blue tops...but the problem came back...So the only way I see to make sure the battery stays charged is to be able to disconnect the batteries. I just cannot figure out how I should hook them up to the Perko...

The diagram shows that you hook the starter up to the common stud on the perko and then each battery up to its respective post...so I have to rewire the starter???what guage wire should I pull to the starter?

By Flux (flux) on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 10:23 am:


Sounds like you may have Amps that are not shutting down all the way, are your using a trigger wire to them?? Is the power wire to the amps connected directly to the batt?? If there are inline fuses between the batt and the amps, pull them instead of the batt cable. If your batt stays charged then you may have found your problem.