CAT 30 DC Disconnect Switch: What is this?

[Mark Magee]

On my 86 CAT 30 I have a toggle switch above and to the right of the battery selector knob, it is labled (from the factory) as "DC Disconnect" and the toggle is either Up "on" or Down "Off". I have been trying to establish what this switch does as I have put it in both positions and it doesn't seem to change anything: eg. it does -not- disconnect the DC panel- everything on the DC Panel works when it is in "OFF".Does this in any way affect the alternators charging? Connected to the Alternators FIELD wire?Can anybody help me here.Merry Christmas All.Mark MageeKemah TX

 

[LaDonna Bubak - Planet Catalina]

Have you followed the wiring?

Where do the wires go when you follow them? It could be that they're disconnected or that there's damage.

 

[Mark Magee]

Have not traced them yet.

I have been unable to trace one of the wires due to time constraints, but the whole arrangement is interesting as one wire comes from somewhere on the boat, into the working of the battery selector switch and then to the panel.I need to work on this one.