Battery selector switch

pk104

.
Jun 30, 2009
208
Catalina 310 Atwood Lake
As any one had a battery selector switch go bad?

When I put my switch on battery one. My stereo unit constantly goes off and on. If I put my volt meter between the switch for the stereo and the ground I can see the volts jumping up and down but if I put the volt meter between the battery cable on the back of the selector switch and the ground it shows good constant volts. The same problem does not occur when I turn the switch to battery two. Doesn't that say the selector switch is bad on the battery one side?

Gary
 
Sep 28, 2008
922
Canadian Sailcraft CS27 Victoria B.C.
More likely a bad connection between the switch and the stereo, loose or corroded possibly.
 
Feb 6, 1998
11,709
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
They can go bad but it is pretty rare. Test continuity between the "C" post of switch and the bank 1 switch stud. If the continuity is steady begin looking at connections...
 

pk104

.
Jun 30, 2009
208
Catalina 310 Atwood Lake
The selector switch was not bad. There was continuity between C post and #1. I went right to the battery and I could see the stereo turn off and on. Checked voltage between the battery posts with a good steady reading but when I checked between the battery cable and the ground the voltage was changing. There are post to stud connectors on my batteries.

The problem appears to of been poor workmanship on my part when I connected the batteries this year. After removing the post to stud and the positive cable and doing a better job of cleaning them the problem stopped.

I love my volt/ohm meter!

Thanks for the help as always.
Gary
 
Jul 30, 2013
56
Hughes 25 Burlington
A little off topic but I bought one of theses switches intending to hook it up but what gets connected to the common? Maybe a wiring diagram from one of you? Right now I have the main battery with wires to the panel.
 
Sep 28, 2008
922
Canadian Sailcraft CS27 Victoria B.C.
A little off topic but I bought one of theses switches intending to hook it up but what gets connected to the common? Maybe a wiring diagram from one of you? Right now I have the main battery with wires to the panel.
The common is the output to the loads - starter and panel.