Re: Boat battery wire smoking...HELP!
I wouldn't go out and get a new Perko switch, as from what I understand you really don't need it, is that correct? Is your battery charger a multi-bank charger with independent outputs? IE: they can be connected to separate batteries in a 24V or 36V bank. If so, then just ditch the Perko switch and hook up your charger. If your charger is a single output then you will have to figure something out, but I don't think the Perko switch is a good idea, from what you have seen.
Most likely, the Perko switch is a "make before break" type of switch where it connects both of the inputs, before switching between them. It's designed that way because alternator damage can be caused by disconnecting the battery when an engine is running. The way the switch is being used in your application (what it was not designed for) there is a possibility of shorting out the battery, by design of the switch.
One question, what does your switch look like; Off, 2, Com (1+2 or BOTH) and 1 at 12 o'clock, 3, 6 and 9,,, or all of these switch selections on the top of the switch. If it's a switch with the selections 90* apart it might work if you only go from 1>OFF>2 or 2>OFF>1,, and never to move the switch towards the Com/1+2/both terminal,, though I wouldn't advise it. If the switch has all of the settings close together on the top of the switch, I don't see it working as the switch HAS TO travel through the area where both inputs are combined, while switching between 1 and 2. HAS TO short out the battery to go from 24V to Charge.
Personally, I'd ditch the Perko switch as it's a fire hazard in this application. Get a mutli-bank charger, or use the one you have if it's a multi-bank charger with independent outputs. Or, on the cheap, if your charger is a single bank charger, get another single bank charger for the other battery.
I wouldn't go out and get a new Perko switch, as from what I understand you really don't need it, is that correct? Is your battery charger a multi-bank charger with independent outputs? IE: they can be connected to separate batteries in a 24V or 36V bank. If so, then just ditch the Perko switch and hook up your charger. If your charger is a single output then you will have to figure something out, but I don't think the Perko switch is a good idea, from what you have seen.
Most likely, the Perko switch is a "make before break" type of switch where it connects both of the inputs, before switching between them. It's designed that way because alternator damage can be caused by disconnecting the battery when an engine is running. The way the switch is being used in your application (what it was not designed for) there is a possibility of shorting out the battery, by design of the switch.
One question, what does your switch look like; Off, 2, Com (1+2 or BOTH) and 1 at 12 o'clock, 3, 6 and 9,,, or all of these switch selections on the top of the switch. If it's a switch with the selections 90* apart it might work if you only go from 1>OFF>2 or 2>OFF>1,, and never to move the switch towards the Com/1+2/both terminal,, though I wouldn't advise it. If the switch has all of the settings close together on the top of the switch, I don't see it working as the switch HAS TO travel through the area where both inputs are combined, while switching between 1 and 2. HAS TO short out the battery to go from 24V to Charge.
Personally, I'd ditch the Perko switch as it's a fire hazard in this application. Get a mutli-bank charger, or use the one you have if it's a multi-bank charger with independent outputs. Or, on the cheap, if your charger is a single bank charger, get another single bank charger for the other battery.
It has 3 seperate wires coming out of it.
