Dual Batt Set-up??

[jet]

OK, im wiring up my batterys and amps this weekend with a pergo switch by the driver seat. Heres a drawind and picture. Whats the best way to do this, and what NOT to do?? Thanks Jet98179818

1st batt on the left will be the start batt
2nd batt closest to the nose will be the stereo batt

[Jetlink]

Pergo, you gonna put a floating wood floor in there? Or did you mean Perko? :D

[cole1]

I actually like the drawing... lol

[jet]

Jetlink, you havent chimed in on my Aurora siteing??

[Jetlink]

Yeah, I already did man...yesterday was a really busy day for me too...lol

[jet]

I want to up-size my cables to the batterys. What gauge should I use?? 0-4-8??

[haugy]

I always try to use 0/1 gauge for my Jeep and my boat. The amount of current I am pulling from a winch or stereo, needs zero resistance from smaller wire.

[ScottnAz]

I found some good information on the Moomba site that David from Earmark has posted over the years, so here's what I did with my dual battery/Perko setup:

Negative cable from battery #1 to block
Negative cable from battery #1 to battery #2 (2 ga)
Negative cable from battery #2 to Ground distribution block (2 ga)
Ground distribution block to amps (4 ga)
Ground distibution block to helm distribution (4 ga)

Positive cable from engine to Common post on Perko
Positive cable from battery #1 to Perko 1 post (2 ga)
Positive cable from battery #2 to Perko 2 post (2 ga)
Positive cable from Common post on Perko to main circuit breaker (2 ga)
Positive cable from main circuit breaker to helm distibution block (4 ga)
Positive cable from Common post on Perko to amp circuit breaker (2 ga)
Positive cable from amp circuit breaker to amp distibution block (2 ga)
Positive cables from amp distribution block to amps (4 ga)

The only positive cables from the battery should be going to the battery 1 & 2 posts on the Perko switch, and everything needing power in the boat should basically be cabled from the common post on the Perko, and through a circuit breaker. The only caveat would be a radio memory wire running from the stereo battery to the head unit if required. Running all positive cables through the Perko is the only way to ensure the entire boat is shut down when the Perko is switched to Off.

When we hang out for lunch I switch the Perko to battery #2, which is my stereo battery. That way I won't drain the starting battery while hanging out. Then I'll switch it to ALL so I can recharge the drain from the stereo battery during the afternoon sessions.

[CincyLaunch]

I have the 2 battery set up in my boat and have been trying to figure out why my battery gauge on the VISION always stays at 12v no matter what setting the Perko is on. This should jump to 14.4v when underway.

[bens250ex]

Jet this has nothin to do with the batt but I want to create a rear sun deck like yours can you email me more pictures of how it works and so forth ? It would be greatly appreciated my email is [email protected]

[jet]

Its all apart right now, but yes! Soon! Check out the pics here on my link below and checkout my FB page. Maybe that will be enough for you right now. I think I might make mine a lil bigger so that 750 will be 100% full?? I will do a full detaled video or pic's as it goes back together. Maybe 1- month away?? call me if you need to. 214-562-6911 Jet

[jet]

Thank you scott! Your the only responce I got back from both sites. lol

[ScottnAz]

Hope it helps Jet, and good luck.
Seems like a daunting task to re-wire it all, but not bad and certainly worth the effort.

[DAFF]

Not much to add for Scott more less killed the thread. Keep it clean, use high end connectors and invest in the big shrink tube to colour cordinate all the connections. When you finish it make a simple electricial drawing for future reference. Sometimes a few years down the road you will forget a thing or two.

As for Cincylaunch I would take some readings using a volt meter. The system should read around 14volts when moving, my thought is the guage is reading off a closed loop from the engine circut.