Switch for new LinkPro?

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Scott T-Bird

Scott T-Bird

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Oct 26, 2008
6,432
Catalina 320 Barnegat, NJ
I've removed the old battery monitor and installed a new Xantrex LinkPro. There was a switch that I removed as you can see by the empty hole. Does it make any sense to run the monitor thru a switch? ... I don't think so but looking for opinions.

BTW, what are some uses for a toggle switch that has 3 positions and 6 blades? What are all the blades for? I don't remember what was attached before I removed it a few years ago ... it seems to me that there were only a couple of wires attached to monitor the 2 batteries.

I looked at a few examples in cataloges which seem to offer no explanation on what they can be used for and what the wiring diagram looks like.

Looking for a use for that empty space! :redface:
 

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mitiempo

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Sep 28, 2008
922
Canadian Sailcraft CS27 Victoria B.C.
I don't think it would make sense to run the monitor through a switch. The Linkpro does monitor voltage on a secondary (start or emergency) battery as is.

The switch is a double pole double throw switch. It has 2 "on" positions for each direction with "off" in the middle. Could be used for nav lights - sail/power for example, with the steaming light and running lights on one end and just running on the other end.
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

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Feb 26, 2004
23,360
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Scott, the last thing you want to do with your monitor is to turn it off. If you do, you lose the amount of charge that is being put back by a shorepower (if you're connected when away from the boat) or solar charger and lose your battery "status" information. You have to think about what the monitor is there for in the first place: what comes out AND what goes back in.

You should also read this: http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4922.0.html
 
Scott T-Bird

Scott T-Bird

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Oct 26, 2008
6,432
Catalina 320 Barnegat, NJ
Thanks for that link, Stu! I remember reading that thread in the past when you posted it. I will have to print it. I was very certain that a switch was not the thing to do, I just thought I might ask the stupid question just to confirm. I'm not on shore power at this time, but am installing a solar charger, and we may be on shore power next year. For now, we simply charge by alternator which undercharges the batteries for sure. I am confused a little by terminology. The monitor references 'main' and 'auxilllary'. I think in terms of 'start' and 'house' batteries. I consider my house battery the 'main' (I just have one - not a house bank) and the start battery the 'aux' however, the start battery is an auxillary house battery in reality (not that I ever run it down by using it as a house battery). I have not customized the menu for the LinkPro yet, but the standard menu seems to have fewer options for the 'aux' battery.

On that switch - nice suggestion for that use - I can free up 2 switches ... so the 6 blades are for 3 pos leads and 3 neg leads?? I'm pretty dense when it comes to electrical. I can't see any difference and they don't seem to be marked. Don't I need to know which are pos and which are neg?
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

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Feb 26, 2004
23,360
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Scott, do what I suggest in that thread, download the Link 2000 manual so you understand more about the LitePro and its algorithms.
 
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