1, 2, Both, Off Switch Problems ???

[CPD]

Over the weekend I had an unusual problem. Engine battery (2) kept fully charged and isolated, domestic (1) used for lighting etc as usual. Came to Sunday morning to set off, selected engine battery and . . .nothing yet voltage showed 12.9 on battery monitor. Selected domestic (11.1v) and there wasnt enough oomph to start. Ended up physically disconnecting engine battery and connecting to domestic terminals - that worked fine and we got home. BUT, on removing connections etc, I fully expected to see a degree of corossion somewhere that had caused the problem, but I didnt. Each battery is +ve isolated and all those connections looked fine too. My question is therefore, has anyone had any problems (other than the well documented forgetting to select the correct one etc) with the actual 1,2,both,off aswitch itself ??. Other than the fix to get us home, I didnt have long to look at it, but the switch at the moment is the suspect. Any comments as usual, happily and gratefully received. Many thanks /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[ShaunG]

Does sound like the switch is faulty, very easy to test though. Put your multimeter on resistance and check if there is continuity between position 1 and the common terminal and the same with position 2 and common and finally position 1+2 and the common post. I would suggest that the make position on the engine start side will be open circuit even when selected. not much to really go wrong with a switch although there is a certain model ( will remain nameless) who use a plastic mounting point for the switch locating pin which breaks if more than a feather is used to turn the switch.

 

[MoodySabre]

Hi Alan.
I had a switch problem on my last boat. In one position it did not work unless it was jiggled slightly off the mark. Stripped it down - it is very simple - put it back and still had the problem.
Didn't trust it after that. Never did solve it. New switch, bingo.
Roger

 

[FWB]

When you take the switch apart you will probably find the contact has moved. This is caused by turning the switch anticlockwise. Its just held on by a nut which can undo itself. At least that's what I found when I discovered that my switch wouldn't actually switch off.