One Perko 8501Switch two batteries and two engines

[zedde]

Hello bought a boat with one Perko8501 battery disconnext switch.off...1..All..2

Been told I need two perko switches in order to run my 100hp and 9.9 at the same time charging to the two gell cell batteries.

I have also been told that one perko is enough and to ensure both engines just idle and not running them together for too long..

Both engines the one perko and two battery design seems to be there when the first owner had it. I am the 4th..the 3rd never had it long and never cinnected the positive terminal coming from the perko to the second battery for the kicker.

Basically all the negatives are connected together. The 100hp pos goes to the perko, then one cable from perko goes to batt1 and the other goes to batt 2 but not connected.. The 9.9 is wired directly to battery 2 and charges..
I believe all I have to do is connect the second cable coming from the perko to batt 2 but not sure where the 9.9 pos would go thinking it would connect with eng1 at the perko?

Ques- 1:Is there a wiring diagram with 2 engines..2 batteries and 1 perko?

Ques -2:Is there a concern with shorting out diodes or causing a failure to the alternators if both engines are running/charging to the same 2 battery bank?
Ques -3: Do I need 2 perkos?

Thank you kindly..







I

 

[CIVANO]

Hello bought a boat with one Perko8501 battery disconnext switch.off...1..All..2

Been told I need two perko switches in order to run my 100hp and 9.9 at the same time charging to the two gell cell batteries.

I have also been told that one perko is enough and to ensure both engines just idle and not running them together for too long..

Both engines the one perko and two battery design seems to be there when the first owner had it. I am the 4th..the 3rd never had it long and never cinnected the positive terminal coming from the perko to the second battery for the kicker.

Basically all the negatives are connected together. The 100hp pos goes to the perko, then one cable from perko goes to batt1 and the other goes to batt 2 but not connected.. The 9.9 is wired directly to battery 2 and charges..
I believe all I have to do is connect the second cable coming from the perko to batt 2 but not sure where the 9.9 pos would go thinking it would connect with eng1 at the perko?

Ques- 1:Is there a wiring diagram with 2 engines..2 batteries and 1 perko?

Ques -2:Is there a concern with shorting out diodes or causing a failure to the alternators if both engines are running/charging to the same 2 battery bank?
Ques -3: Do I need 2 perkos?

Thank you kindly..







I

 

[CIVANO]

Call them

 

[seachicken]

Hello bought a boat with one Perko8501 battery disconnext switch.off...1..All..2

Been told I need two perko switches in order to run my 100hp and 9.9 at the same time charging to the two gell cell batteries.

I have also been told that one perko is enough and to ensure both engines just idle and not running them together for too long..

Both engines the one perko and two battery design seems to be there when the first owner had it. I am the 4th..the 3rd never had it long and never cinnected the positive terminal coming from the perko to the second battery for the kicker.

Basically all the negatives are connected together. The 100hp pos goes to the perko, then one cable from perko goes to batt1 and the other goes to batt 2 but not connected.. The 9.9 is wired directly to battery 2 and charges..
I believe all I have to do is connect the second cable coming from the perko to batt 2 but not sure where the 9.9 pos would go thinking it would connect with eng1 at the perko?

Ques- 1:Is there a wiring diagram with 2 engines..2 batteries and 1 perko?

Ques -2:Is there a concern with shorting out diodes or causing a failure to the alternators if both engines are running/charging to the same 2 battery bank?
Ques -3: Do I need 2 perkos?

Thank you kindly..







I

I honestly don't see the need for a second battery switch to the kicker. On a DC system with 2 charging supplies one of the voltage regulators will be set slightly higher and will typically supply the charge during low load situations. During high load situations and voltage drops to below the high setting on the second regulator it will kick in and supply power also.

Your kicker should probably be going through the switch like the main is already.

 

[seachicken]

PERKO Inc.

PERKO Inc. - An manufacturer of marine hardware and accessories.

www.perko.com

Second paragraph down, "connecting one or more engines".

Just think about all the boats with 2 or more mains, they don't run one alternator or have them wired independently to seperate batteries. The more I think about this the more I think the people that told you need 2 switches shouldn't be giving wiring advice.

 

[Samnjoe]

My boat is factory wired with 1 Perco switch. 1 2 ALL OFF.
Twin Yamaha 150s plus 9.9, on board battery charger, and 100 watt solar panel. 3 group 27 batteries. No problems.
I always run in the ALL position unless on the hook.

 

[zurk]

PERKO Inc.

PERKO Inc. - An manufacturer of marine hardware and accessories.

www.perko.com

Second paragraph down, "connecting one or more engines".

Just think about all the boats with 2 or more mains, they don't run one alternator or have them wired independently to seperate batteries. The more I think about this the more I think the people that told you need 2 switches shouldn't be giving wiring advice.

mine are. but then again its only because i run 3 independent power grids on the boat (2 engine, one house). engine alternators+hydrogenerators charge up engine battery banks independently, house bank gets charged with solar, incoming 230VAC and 2 independent isolated DC-DC bidirectional chargers handle 2 way flows between house and engine banks to keep them all around 80%, 2 x bleeder resistor banks dump excess power if needed.
but i agree in this case he isnt maintaining any independent power grids (as is the case with most boats) so one switch is sufficient.

 

[brutus]

All you need is one switch, end of story, connect your kicker the same as your main of common or directly to your second batterie, I’ve done it both ways forever and never had an issue, I just replace 2 of my batteries, this year , group 27 starting and deep cycle, 8 year old and the deep cycle was at 80% load test and the starting was at 70%, could of gotten another year out of them,

 

[salmonkiller01]

One switch works fine. As for batteries I have gone with Canada batteries from inland Kenworth. They are what are used in dump trucks. Group 32 I believe. $109 pus taxes. Can’t beat them for the price. I change my batteries every 3 years regardless of load test. Can’t justify the cost of gel cell anymore at 4-500 a pop. But they do last longer 100% however I lose faith in them after 4 years.

 

[brutus]

One switch works fine. As for batteries I have gone with Canada batteries from inland Kenworth. They are what are used in dump trucks. Group 32 I believe. $109 pus taxes. Can’t beat them for the price. I change my batteries every 3 years regardless of load test. Can’t justify the cost of gel cell anymore at 4-500 a pop. But they do last longer 100% however I lose faith in them after 4 years.

I get all my batteries from Edmonds, the Edmonds brand, 170$ for group 31cranking and 220$ for group 31 deep cycles, lead acid. I’ve probably bought 30 batteries from them, for everything I own, and have never had one fail

 

[sly_karma]

Whenever I'm discussing a project with clients, I follow the same progression: why, what, how.

Always start with the Why - why do you want to do this? Understanding why helps make best decision about what to build and then how to build it.

There's a why to every proposed project. Tell us about the why here. Why do you want to run main and kicker at same time?

 

[BC Coast Pilot]

mine are. but then again its only because i run 3 independent power grids on the boat (2 engine, one house). engine alternators+hydrogenerators charge up engine battery banks independently, house bank gets charged with solar, incoming 230VAC and 2 independent isolated DC-DC bidirectional chargers handle 2 way flows between house and engine banks to keep them all around 80%, 2 x bleeder resistor banks dump excess power if needed.
but i agree in this case he isnt maintaining any independent power grids (as is the case with most boats) so one switch is sufficient.

Who makes a decent bi directional dc to dc charger?

 

[Bill 310]

I get all my batteries from Edmonds, the Edmonds brand, 170$ for group 31cranking and 220$ for group 31 deep cycles, lead acid. I’ve probably bought 30 batteries from them, for everything I own, and have never had one fail

I still have a few of those Edmonds 20% off new Batteries coupons they used to hand out at the Motorcycle show.

They have no expiry date and I figure I will have enough to get me through to the end.

 

[zurk]

Who makes a decent bi directional dc to dc charger?

2025 Model 12V to 12V DC to DC Chargers 10A | 15A | 20A | 25A | 40A |

12V to 12V DC to DC Chargers 8A | 10A | 15A | 20A | 25A | 40A | 70A | 120A | 200A models - all items E-Marked! We can ship globally 5 Years Warranty - From 1st November 2024 DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS HERE: To simplify navigation, we've compacted the various sections into 'reveal' sections below...

sterling-power.com

 

[zedde]

Hello,

Thank you for all your feedback its greatly appreciated.

The majority of the responses indicate that using one Perko 8501 Battery disconnect switch with two engines and two batteries is a typical and proven installation with some failures found on older engines over 250HP . I have been advised that it is possible to run both the 100HP and 9.9HP kicker at the same time at idle speed and only short durations only.

I have received two wiring diagrams and they both appear to be valid just wondering what the best installation is for this Perko switch with positions Off/1/All/2

Would like to run both engines at the same time just for a short period at idle. Planning to run out to site with the 100HP engine and then place in neutral and lower and fire up the electric start kicker until it warms up and then shut off the main. Would do the same going back home the kicker would be running at low speed trolling then fire up the main engine in neutral at idle speed once the main warms up then shut the kicker off use the licker trim and raise the kicker out of the water.

Both batteries are identical group 27 Gell cell batteries. Everything except the downriggers are connected to the 2 battery, battery bank

Both electric downriggers are wired to battery 2 so when the kicker is running it charges battery 2 to keep the downriggers powered.


I would like to primarily to stay in the "all" position all the time but maybe its best to run to site in "all" then shut down all engines then switch to 2 and have the kicker charge both batteries then do the reverse when leaving this is not preferred method.

It would be great if you could provide your feedback on using either diagram #1 or diagram #2. It appears diagram #1 maybe better since it provides more isolation of the two engines since they both are wired to their respective battery first.



Thank you so much for your time


Diagram # 1:






Diagram # 2:

 

[brutus]

#2