No longer smooth connection on transition of battery switch

[englishrobs]

If I take this apart is it possible the contacts need cleaning. Occasionally if I turn this while underway the power to nav drops before being re-established. This isn’t a massive problem but it only started happening by towards the end of last year.

 

[Iliade]

Yes.

But they are the work of the devil...

 

[KompetentKrew]

Crikey! Venus are a lot more expensive than the no-name competition, aren't they?

I was able to replace mine with an identical one for £20 - it was identical and I reckon the last one had lasted 25 years.

 

[Bodach na mara]

I had a Cheapo brand versoon and after one season there was a graunching noise when I turned the knob. I dismantled it and found that the plastic moulding that holds the contacts had disintegrated. Buy Cheapo, buy twice.

 

[Refueler]

If it is disconnecting power when turned - assuming not going through the OFF position .. then it is faulty and I would be inclined to replace it before you end up with Alternator regulator / diodes blown.
Cleaning etc may be possible - but do you want to trust it after ??

 

[Boater Sam]

Dump it and fit a VSR

 

[Refueler]

Dump it and fit a VSR

He will still need switches to isolate etc.

 

[PaulRainbow]

If I take this apart is it possible the contacts need cleaning. Occasionally if I turn this while underway the power to nav drops before being re-established. This isn’t a massive problem but it only started happening by towards the end of last year.

I would be inclined to fit separate switches and a VSR ROB, but if you want to stick with the 1-2-B switch i have just finished a Lithium installation on a boat at SYH which had a newish looking 1-2-B switch, replaced with single switches, if you're interested i can put you in touch with him.

 

[Malish]

I would be inclined to fit separate switches and a VSR ROB, but if you want to stick with the 1-2-B switch i have just finished a Lithium installation on a boat at SYH which had a newish looking 1-2-B switch, replaced with single switches, if you're interested i can put you in touch with him.

That was me - PM sent

 

[Stemar]

A 1-2-B switch is useful to allow starting from the domestic batteries if the starter battery is flat. On my previous boat, I had one that did that and acted as a starter battery isolator. The domestic battery had its own single isolator switch.

The alternator was connected directly to the starter battery, with a cube relay energised by the field terminal on the alternator to charge the domestic battery. Doing it again, I'd use a VSR, but they were expensive back then, and the budget was limited. Actually, doing it now, I'd probably have a LiFePO domestic bank and a B2B charger between starter and domestic to charge it.

It made for a simple, reliable system that served for many years.

 

[englishrobs]

I would be inclined to fit separate switches and a VSR ROB, but if you want to stick with the 1-2-B switch i have just finished a Lithium installation on a boat at SYH which had a newish looking 1-2-B switch, replaced with single switches, if you're interested i can put you in touch with him.

Yes, in touch. Thanks.