Ever Had A Battery Switch Go Bad?

sasto

sasto

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A friends battery switch is showing resistance thru it. Input at 12.5V. Output is 6V.

The Perco switch is located in a dry location. with no visible damage.

My first time seeing this. Is this common and just like any other electrical part on a boat?

The switch is 5 years old.

Thanks!
 
Silvertip

Silvertip

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Re: Ever Had A Battery Switch Go Bad?

How are you doing this test? If you measure 12.6 volts into the switch with the switch set to OFF, that says current is getting TO the switch. If you set the switch 1, 2, or BOTH and measure 6 volts at the COM terminal you did not prove the switch has resistance. You connected a load to the battery(ies) which may be sucking the battery voltage down. In other words, that 6 volts may represent a bad battery(ies). Do the test with the COM terminal wires disconnected. If it now measures the same in and out it is not the switch. If you measurements were made with the loads disconnected from the COM terminal, then there is resistance in the switch.
 
SparkieBoat

SparkieBoat

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Re: Ever Had A Battery Switch Go Bad?

yes they can go bad, the connections can become broke or corroded
 
sasto

sasto

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Re: Ever Had A Battery Switch Go Bad?

Silvertip said:
If you measurements were made with the loads disconnected from the COM terminal, then there is resistance in the switch.
Click to expand...

Yes Silvertip, this was the procedure. How often do you encounter a bad switch which appears in good working order?

Thanks!
 
Silvertip

Silvertip

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Re: Ever Had A Battery Switch Go Bad?

sasto said:
Yes Silvertip, this was the procedure. How often do you encounter a bad switch which appears in good working order?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

The switch cannot be bad yet functioning normally. If there is enough internal (contact) resistance to drop the voltage by one half then you should be able to measure it with a digital ohm meter.
 
sasto

sasto

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Re: Ever Had A Battery Switch Go Bad?

Silvertip said:
The switch cannot be bad yet functioning normally. If there is enough internal (contact) resistance to drop the voltage by one half then you should be able to measure it with a digital ohm meter.
Click to expand...

"appears to be in good working order" was refering to visual, not electrical. The switch was found to be bad, was replaced, and all is well. My friend is fishing today.

Thanks!
 
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