Battery Switches - you get what you pay for?

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adamlang

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Interested in whether anyone has a view on these battery switches (or other recommendations):

Single Pole Battery Isolator Switch 600 Amp (9.5-32V)
Continuous: 600A, Intermittent: 800A, Maximum: 2500A
£88.13

Marine Battery Isolation Switch With Removable Actuator - 300A, IP68
Max. continuous current: 300A; Max. intermittent current: 500A; Max. cranking current: 1000A
£19.96

MOPEI 2-Position Battery Isolator Disconnect Switch for Car Camper RV and Marine Boat, 12-48V DC, 275 Amps Continuous, Comes with Copper Terminals and Shrink Tubes: Amazon.co.uk: Car & Motorbike
Continuous rating of 275 amps, an intermittent rating of 455 amps and a crank rating of 1250 amps
£19.99

I'll be buying two and using them for a master switch for the leisure bank, and an emergency combiner between the two banks for engine starting (Yanmar 3YM30 - manual suggests Loaded Maximum Current of 250A for the 1400 watt starter motor), so I don't think I'll need the higher amp ratings of the more expensive one - we don't run any inverters or anything like that. But does anyone have any experience of the cheaper ones - would they last well?

Thanks.
 
I would think that either of the cheaper ones would do. The 12 volt planet one does seem to be better rated on the water resting front. I use the even cheaper £6 pound ones on my boat, but then my out board doesn't use much current for starting.
 
adamlang said:
Interested in whether anyone has a view on these battery switches (or other recommendations):
Click to expand...

I notice the ASAP one has a higher current rating and is more expensive. Do you need the 600 amps continuous rating ? Presumably not if you are also looking at much lower rated switches

I would look at the reputable makes such as BEP, Blue Sea, and Durite where I am sure you will find quality items with a lower current rating at more reasonable prices only marginally more that the cheaper ones

To which end look at what Furneaux Riddall have to offer in the way of BEP switches .. BEP Contour Battery Switches - Boats & Marine

I think you will find Furneaux Riddall competitive , even on a like for like basis, with 12Volt Planet
 
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This is where you need to do a maximum current draw analysis.

I.e. workout all the electrical items at various types of useage

Sailing, Motoring, moored and anchored overnight.

Also look what heavy draw items you have (windlass, Bow thruster, engine start) and consider for how long they run on a continuous basis.

Not sure what the difference between intermittent and cranking is in terms of operational time.

Mine is a cheap chinese with a rating similar to the last one you posted and I do run a 600 Amp Bower thruster but only for a short operating time.
 
PaulRainbow said:
Please don't fit any old cheap and nasty switches.

The BEP switches inked to in post #3 are excellent quality, i have fitted lots of these and not had a failure of any kind: BEP Contour Mini Battery Switch 275A - 701

Durite are also good quality, such as: Durite 0-605-11 Battery Isolator Switch 300amp
Click to expand...

Paul

Both of the links you posted give what the duty cycle of the switches are and in my view the duty cycle / current flow time is as important a the current rating

Amp Rating: 275A (Continuous), 455A (Intermittent 5 min), 1250A (Intermittent 10 sec)
 
I've installed BEP clusters on both my boats, never had an issue. To my mind this is one area where good quality outweighs saving a few £ - an electrical fire next to the batteries is not something I wish to encounter.
 
If you only need a on/off battery switch one of these is supposed to be rated at 1000 amp

1000 Amp Fixed Key Battery Isolator Cut Off Kill Switch 12v /24v Heavy Duty | eBay

or one of these of you need a removable key

Battery Cut Off Kill Switch Master Isolator Heavy Duty 180 Amp 12v 24v Universal | eBay

I have one of these on my Mobo and I had one on my Jensen which was fitted as standard.

This one is claimed to be 2500 Amp may be 10 second rating not continuous.

24v Heavy Duty Max Load 2500A Battery Isolator Cut Off Kill Switch Truck Lorry 701160652886 | eBay
 
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