Battery hookup

[pigbike]

I am not good with electric issues so I need some advice. The 215 DC I bought has two batteries, one starter battery and one deep cycle battery. I understand this is usually the best combo. The confusing part is I also have two Perko switches. Why would I need two switches??  I haven't played around with them yet to see if there are different circuits for the engine and accessories, but why would I need two Perko switches?

Also back in the battery compartment there is a black box with several buttons on it one red and I think 3 black, what is this for?? The engine is a Johnson 200 Ocean Pro, I'm not sure if the box is engine related.

Thanks
Roy

[wingtime]

Roy are they just on/off switches?  or are they selector switches?  ie: off/1/both/2 ?

[pigbike]

They are both the 1/2/all switches

[seabob4]

For a single engine boat, 1 switch (Off/1/Both/2) will suffice.  However, if you want to truly isolate the house batt from the engine starting batt, you need 2 switches.  Upon starting the engine on batt 1 (lets say that is the start batt), you turn both switches to "BOTH" (or ALL), so that the engine alternator output will feed both batts.  Upon shutting down, switch the engine batt switch back to 1, and the house batt switch to 2.  That way, you can drain the house batt down all you want without affecting the start batt.

The black box holds your main breaker (the red push button one), and the fuse holders for bilge float, stereo, tabs (if you have them)...any labels left on the box?

[pigbike]

It sounds like overkill for a single engine boat having two switches, but for some reason that was what they did.

The labels on the black box are unreadable.

I will have to look more closely at everything.  Still trying to reach the seacock valve for the baitwell. Need longer arm, or pet Orangatan.

[Circle Hooked]

Still trying to reach the seacock valve for the baitwell. Need longer arm, or pet Orangatan.

Been there, I put a pie plate in my fish box that makes it alot easier.

[seabob4]

Bob Jr. lives in the shop.  I feed him cheetos, vienna sausages, and mushy Publix sub leftovers...

[Capt. Bob]

The resemblance is uncanny.

[seabob4]

The resemblance is uncanny.

"Son!  Son!"...

[Circle Hooked]

Bob maybe you could loan jr to Scott for football pics this year

[pigbike]

I solved the two Perko switch issue. The second switch should of been an on/off switch to isolate the house power, the PO used another 1/2/all switch.

[pigbike]

The only problem is he wired the switch wrong by putting both wires on the same post. This just defeated the purpose, and made the switch useless.

[seabob4]

And did some damn fine wiring, I might add!!!      

[icemanbryan]

Bob, this could fill in for your cancelled job?

[seabob4]

Bob, this could fill in for your cancelled job?

Bryan,
Even though PB lives basically just down the road from me, I think he has the skills to tackle this one...

But I'm game!!!