How to Use a 4 Position Battery Switch

I've got another video showing how to install a four position battery switch, but that video generated a ton of questions in the comments and via email. This video is simply to explain how the battery switch works and when to use each setting (1, 2, All, Off) on a four position switch while out on the water. Thanks for watching, if you found this useful please like and subscribe. If you still have questions be sure to comment them below!

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[eugenebatiste]

Great explanation. I will add (as an US Naval electrician) BATTERY 1 is used for sensing circuits (bilge pumps, fluid level switch *gas tank*, C2O detection, Radar, Wind, emergency radio and any other sensing circuit that lets you know something going bad.)

You always want that kind of equipment getting power even when the boat switch is set to off. THAT'S why you don't want to use it INDEPENDENTLY from BATTERY 2. AND WHY you charge as often as possible when the engine's alternator is running.

A great practice is to idle the boat for several minutes (10-30 minutes) before to go underway. This give you time to verify BATTERY 1 has enough power to save your life in case of a mishap.

If Battery 1 is really LOW on charge. WHEN YOUR ENGINE IS RUNNING switch to position 1 to charge your emergency detecting equipment before any other accessories.

Lastly, Go NAVY- the Army sucks. Had to add that. 🤣

[mirelroberts]

I've got my pontoon completely refurbished and on the water thanks to you!😁
Big thanks to your discount code too. You're a hero for do-it- your-selfers like me!

[DaSween]

Good video as always! 2 years ago I shut off my battery switch while the engine was still running just to see what would happen. What happened was I had to buy a new starter solenoid!

[jamesbrown]

Best explanation of how the Perko 4 post switch works. Thank you so much. You totally cleared everything up for me!!😁

[boat]

Excellent video. Very well explained. I have that same switch and had a lot of questions. (I have a pontoon), Now I'm a subscriber!

[jonjackinsky]

This is great. I’ve been trying to decided what/how I wanted to set up my battery’s as I have a trolling motor and don’t want to be manually switching battery’s around but also done want them just wired in parallel as I could then strand myself. This will allow me to switch over to 2 an run the trolling motor. If I go so long it dies ow well. Switch to 1 and fire up the 50hp and cruise home on all charging away.

[jamesdeanboatrv]

This is good information. Thanks for sharing. Our boaters. Need to know this.

[jaket]

When I switch to only battery 1 or just 2 by itself my engine won’t start. But when I but 1+2 it starts. What is the issue here? Both batteries are new and fully charge!

[mexiswoop]

Great video, with that being said. If have everything on the common post (motor, amplifier, lights etc) then in theroy you can start your motor on either 1, 2 or all is that correct? Because you can't pick where the power is coming from? So much helpful in all your vids!

[donnalinestevenson]

I just purchased a 2009 paradise elite pontoon. Honda 200hp. Motor has 198hr😮. I did not get an owners manual with it and I have this green vase shaped light with an arrow on each side? What does this mean?

[GeorgieCt]

Good explanation my only question is that if your starter battery and house battery have different amp power loads than I’ve heard that you can possibly overcharge the smaller one or discharge battery number one quite a bit if battery number two is dead because I thought they tried to compensate and equalize unless the switch prevents that

[EightyFitter]

Where do you guys source your rails? I’m looking to refurb a toon that was left in the weeds!

[MolsonB]

When you would use "1" only, is if you completely completely drained your 2nd battery jamming out on music all day. You wouldn't want to switch to "all"to start the engine then. The drained battery would instantly start to rob power from your good battery in a rush. Maybe enough to drain your starting battery (if it was weak starting battery)

Start the engine on "1", then switch to "all" once charging has begun. (Only if your 2nd battery is drained flat)

I know it says to not turn while the engine is running but keep power draw at a min, once 2nd battery is charging, then turn on the accessories.

[mahall]

Awesome video and explanation! I have a question about charging the 2. If you throw them on a trickle or battery charger do you have to do each battery separately or put it on one and set the switch to ALL? Also, do the batteries have to be exact matches or can you mix and match to a certain degree?

[joecantrell]

Great explanation. I’m late to the party but have a question. If I went against the combined neutral design and tied my neutrals to the battery from which I want to draw power for that device, what would be the ramification?

[FredsSustainableGardening]

Curious Question Tom... I know you aren't supposed to connect Lead Acid in series or parallel with lithium. Can you though somehow use a lead acid as starting battery and then a separate lithium 100 ah battery for house battery for everything else including trolling motor? Any help is deeply appreciated.

[kw]

Question: What position do I put switch on when charging (trickly charge). Thx!!

[mnomad]

Question. Can you check your switch to see if you have damaged one of the positions or the whole unit it without volt meter while in your slip?? Say turn engine off. Then turn switch to position 1 and start. Turn engine off. Turn switch to 1 & 2 turn engine on. Turn switch off. Turn to position 2. Turn engine on. Would that be a way of checking each position in a pinch? 😁 Or, in general, would the whole switch just fail and the boat would not start in any position? Thanks.

[markaword]

I got a 5 position with AFD protection. I cant find a video anywhere to explain how to wire my AFD though. I found diagrams where it says to wire to the alternator and regualtor but i dont know what im doing with that... do i need to do any additional wiring? Or can you help me out?

[dwaynebeaty]

If need arose how do we hook up a trickle charge to both batteries?