Dual batteries and Perko switch

**OC Boater** · 03-05-2010, 11:49 AM

I’m a newbie when it comes to this stuff. I had a 2nd battery installed along with a Perko switch to run my amplifier for my stereo a while back. I just had a second amp installed to run my highs and the guy that installed this amp is telling me that he believes that the perko switch setup was installed incorrectly. We checked the batteries when he finished installing the new amp and one was showing about 13 volts and the other about 9 volts. The original guy that installed the switch told me that I only had to charge one of the batteries and both would get charged. He also told me that it didn’t matter what setting I had the perko switch on that I could start the boat and listen to my music with no problem. This didn’t seem correct because I would think that position 1 is to start, 2 is if I want to park the boat and listen to music or all is if I want to drive around listening to music. I know this is a lot but can someone explain or preferably give diagram or picture of setup. Thank you.

**slowride** · 03-05-2010, 01:29 PM

Here ya go

**OC Boater** · 03-05-2010, 02:10 PM

Thanks for the diagram. I see how the batteries are connected to the switch but were should the wires from the stereo, amp and aux be connected to?

**Havasu Hangin** · 03-05-2010, 06:36 PM

Originally Posted by OC Boater

Thanks for the diagram. I see how the batteries are connected to the switch but were should the wires from the stereo, amp and aux be connected to?

There are more than one way to wire this stuff. Most shops will just hook the stereo to one of the batteries because it's easiest, but that battery may not be getting a charge depending on the Perko setting.

For the stereo system, if it were me, I'd go with the common on the Perko for the stereo and amp, and the aux off the key switch or stereo switch.

If the batteries are not charging correctly, make sure that the alternator is also hooked up to the Perko common. That way, wherever the switch is ("1", "2", or "both") is getting the charge, as well as being discharged for the stereo system.

What that guy at the stero shop told you about the charging/stereo system can only be true in 4 circumstances:
1. you have an isolator
2. the Perko switch is not wired correctly
3. The tech is smoking dope
4. All of the above

**HighVoltage329** · 03-05-2010, 08:35 PM

I think they need to go to the positive out of the switch. Then you can direct what battery is used for the stereo and motor.

**OC Boater** · 03-06-2010, 11:40 AM

Here are some pictures of my wiring setup. The diagram seems kinda easy to follow but that only has one wire to the battery and one wire to the switch. As you might be able to tell from the pictures i have several wires to the battery and several wires to the switch. The first 3 pictures were the original setup and the last pictures was the new amp install to the battery.

**Havasu Hangin** · 03-08-2010, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by OC Boater

Here are some pictures of my wiring setup. The diagram seems kinda easy to follow but that only has one wire to the battery and one wire to the switch. As you might be able to tell from the pictures i have several wires to the battery and several wires to the switch. The first 3 pictures were the original setup and the last pictures was the new amp install to the battery.

It looks like you have an isolator on the battery that the amp is hooked directly to?

The problem may be that if the alternator is hooked to the common on the Perko, unless the Perko is set to "both" all the time, the amp battery will not get a charge. However, if the Perko is on "both", it also may bypass the isolator...lol.

Where is the alternator hooked to?

**CoolCruzinCobra** · 03-08-2010, 05:59 PM

Not saying it right or wrong but seeing the switch mounted on the floor
looks like trouble if the floor gets wet.

**13Al** · 03-10-2010, 05:46 PM

OC, A reliable way to charge the batteries is to install a battery isolator. We install Cole Hersees' model #48120 and have had no problems. This is a simple install that can be done in a few hours. FIRST, disconnect the batteries. Remove your original isolator and set it aside. Next, install the Cole unit and run a 10ga. wire from the #1 Batt terminal on the Perko switch to the Battery 1 pole of the Cole unit. Run another 10ga wire from the #2 Batt terminal on the Perko switch to the Battery 2 pole of the Cole unit. Now hook up your Alt. wire you disconnected from your original isolator and connect it to the Alternator pole on the Cole unit. Reconnect your batteries and thats it! Now your charging the pair of batteries all the time. You should consider moving the Perko to a vertical position as Cool stated. Good luck!

**MMDavis** · 07-17-2011, 07:39 AM

Hi there,I'm not trying to be rude and steal the thread but, I have made a thread or two already and have got no replies..so thought I'd try this. Please help asap! ThanksI'm attempting to hook up dual batteries and using a perko switch, I was told to run (+) on batt 1 to #1 post on perko and (+) on batt 2 to # 2 post on switch, all wires currently hooked on (+) on stock battery to the common post on perko, I also got told to run (+) from alternator to common post on perko..so far is this correct?? That all sounds ok to me, the question I have is about the grounds, I know I need to hook the (-)s of batt 1 to batt 2 together, but if all the (-)s are connected to the studs on the batt does the connector ground have to be (-) stud to (-) stud, or can I connect the (-)s on the batteries from (-) post to (-) post, as I have both (-)posts and (-) stud on both of the batteries?? Also the next question about the grounds is.. Does it matter which battery the grounds are connected to or is it once the (-)s on the batteries are connected to eachother, it all becomes essentially one big ground connection and won't matter what wire goes to what (-) they are all 1?? If soome people on here can set me straight and confirm that the way I am wiring it is correct that would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks in advance!

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