Question about installing a selector switch for 2 batteries

[GABoy]

Hey there electrical people!!

I need some help, I know this is probably very easy, but I always like to check before I do ANYTHING electrical.

I just bought a battery selector switch that allows me to switch from one battery to another.

On the back of the switch is 3 posts.....

1) Labeled # 1
2) Labeled # 2
3) Labeled "Common"

Now, the switch has the option to select battery 1, battery 2, or both.

The diagram shows the positive of battery 1 going to post # 1 and the positive of battery 2 going to post # 2 on the switch(I just make a new wire and connect them, correct?)

It also shows the negative posts of each battery going to a ground. (Do I just make new wires for each negative post and ground each one?)

The diagram showed the "Common" post going to the starter, do I need to do anything with this post? I was thinking this was in case the battery was used for starting the boat, but I am only using this to select between two trolling motor batteries, do I need to worry about this post at all?

This is what the front of the switch looks like:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...results1.jhtml


Any help would be appreciated, AS ALWAYS!!!

Crappie.com is my source for electrical consultation!!

[Barnacle Bill]

GaBoy, It sound like you want to use this just for your trolling motor. If so connect the pos of one battery to #1. Connect the pos of the other battery to #2. Connect the positive lead for the trolling motor to the common. Now connect the neg side of both batteries together and connect the neg lead from the trolling motor to the neg post of either battery. With this set up you can run your trolling motor from either battery or both. The manufacture of the switch just assumes you are going to use his switch for starting purposes, thats why they mention starter. They need to start thinking about us minorities. (crappie fisherman). Hope that helps.

[tarfu]

GaBoy, It sound like you want to use this just for your trolling motor. If so connect the pos of one battery to #1. Connect the pos of the other battery to #2. Connect the positive lead for the trolling motor to the common. Now connect the neg side of both batteries together and connect the neg lead from the trolling motor to the neg post of either battery. With this set up you can run your trolling motor from either battery or both. The manufacture of the switch just assumes you are going to use his switch for starting purposes, thats why they mention starter. They need to start thinking about us minorities. (crappie fisherman). Hope that helps.

howdy bill; what the h*^L is a PTC ret. usn. i know what the c and usn are but PT ?????? tarfu former AMH-1, AW-3 usn. I can use my imageination but that might get ime in jail

[Barnacle Bill]

howdy bill; what the h*^L is a PTC ret. usn. i know what the c and usn are but PT ?????? tarfu former AMH-1, AW-3 usn. I can use my imageination but that might get ime in jail

There was not very many of us back then and none now. PT is Photographic Intelligenceman. Our primary job was analyzing aerial photography. In the mid 70's they combined 2505 Yeomen (intelligence) and our rate and called it IS (Intelligence Specialist)

[Tn_countryboy]

GaBoy, It sound like you want to use this just for your trolling motor. If so connect the pos of one battery to #1. Connect the pos of the other battery to #2. Connect the positive lead for the trolling motor to the common. Now connect the neg side of both batteries together and connect the neg lead from the trolling motor to the neg post of either battery. With this set up you can run your trolling motor from either battery or both. The manufacture of the switch just assumes you are going to use his switch for starting purposes, thats why they mention starter. They need to start thinking about us minorities. (crappie fisherman). Hope that helps.

Yep!! I agree with IBNFSHN.... the common post goes to the electrical " Load" be it a starter or a trolling motor.
Good Luck
Ed.

[GABoy]

Man, that is all I have to do?

I think I can even handle this alone!

Thanks a bunch Bill!!!

That is a huge help!

So - This is all I need to do?

1) Make a new wire to connect pos post of battery 1 to # 1
2) Make a new wire to connect pos post of battery 2 to # 2
3) Postive wire from trolling motor to common
4) Make a new wire and connect negative posts from battery 1 to battery 2
5) Negative wire from trolling motor to battery 1 or battery 2

Does that sound like I have everything?

[Tn_countryboy]

Man, that is all I have to do?

I think I can even handle this alone!

Thanks a bunch Bill!!!

That is a huge help!

So - This is all I need to do?

1) Make a new wire to connect pos post of battery 1 to # 1
2) Make a new wire to connect pos post of battery 2 to # 2
3) Postive wire from trolling motor to common
4) Make a new wire and connect negative posts from battery 1 to battery 2
5) Negative wire from trolling motor to battery 1 or battery 2

Does that sound like I have everything?

You got it GABoy!!!!!! GO FOR IT!!!!!!

[GABoy]

You got it GABoy!!!!!! GO FOR IT!!!!!!

EXCELLENT - Thanks for your help Ed!

I will let you know how it turns out....

If you don't hear from me for a long time, something might have gone wrong.....call the paramedics!! Hee hee...