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another wiring question....

duckluv26

Well-known member
where do i run my alternator wire? correct me if i'm wrong: from the alternator to the voltage gauge to the dual battery switch (outgoing terminal so that it only charges the battery thats selected???) i hate this stuff..........thanks in advance
 
You kinda have an option there. Remembering that if you charge both batteries at once it will take longer to charge. I have put the main alternator wire to the battery switch so it only charged the "on-line" battery on my boats. I havent had any problem doing this but some say it can cause a problem with the alternator. I havent seen any problem but that doesnt mean it cant happen. I think mostly they are talking about unloading the alternator if you switch batteries while the engine is running. Still I have done this and not had any problems.

The VOLTS gage can be connected to any hot wire in the system, its really not interested in where its connected as it will always measure the "on-line" voltage. I connect mine to my B+ buss terminal strip. Not everybody wires the same so another good place would be the ignition switch.

Scotty
 
i usually just run all my gauges to a 'hot block' as you do. but, can i hook the alternator wire directly to the battery switch terminal that sends power out (to my starter and hot block). will the charge go into the battery?
 
Yes you can. You can hook up the main power wire from the alternator to the starter or battery switch. If you hook it to the batery switch make sure you hook it to the terminal that goes to the starter. If you hook it to bat 1 or bat 2 terminal it will only charge that battery.
Tim
 
Its not terribly important what exact point you hook it to as long as its one of the heavy wired points. If you only want to charge the on line battery then the "center" of the Perko switch is fine as is the starter point. I would go with which ever wire is the shorter.

The short answer to your question is yes.

Scotty
 
thanks guys. thats what i was looking for. i can hook it up to the center terminal on my perko selector.........
 
Electricity will go where the wire goes, but remember that you need to use a wire size that is large enough to efficiently carry the voltage you have and over the distance you are trying to send it.

You will see a voltage drop over a length of wire, more so if it is a long wire or small diameter.
 
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