Anybody have knowledge on a PERKO SWITCH ?

screaminsacs · Newbie Joined: 20 Sep 2004 Posts: 35 City: Sacramento

recently had a perko switch installed to my dual batteries in a 03 centurion air warrior. told by the service dept that this can void the warranty for the alternator, i'm pushing a 900 watt amp. i hear an alternator can run around $1200. any suggestions if what to use instead of perko?

gborgh · Criminal Joined: 18 Sep 2003 Posts: 55 City: IA

There is no reason that the perko switch should void any warranty. The only thing the switch does is direct the charge to the battery that you want to charge or run off of. I would read your warranty and that will tell you for sure. I think they are giving you a line so that you buy a more expensive switch from them or the boat builder.

Fishmaster · Posted: Sep 27, 2004 7:26 pm Post subject:

Chill, great investment, dual batteries save many hours of future problems.

wesgardner · Posted: Sep 28, 2004 4:19 am Post subject:

Hey screaminsacs,

Possibly if you turn your battery switch to "OFF" when running you might void a warrenty....but realistically it's like gborgh, says - sounds like a line....

Enjoy the amperage Very Happy

Wes

acurtis_ttu · Soul Rider Joined: 16 Aug 2004 Posts: 499 City: Houston

The Perko will not void the warranty. That's a load of garbage. A new altenator is no where near $1200 you can have a high output one built for less than half that, around $300 max. Try the stinger realy or hellroing relay. Both isolate each battery as well, w/o the supposed voltage drop. Some people on here will differ from that. Both manufacturers claim no voltage drop. The rlay works better than the switch because there's nothing for you to switch, its all automatic.

screaminsacs · Newbie Joined: 20 Sep 2004 Posts: 35 City: Sacramento

COOL THATS GOOD TO KNOW.

clubmyke · Criminal Joined: 05 Sep 2004 Posts: 56 City: so cal

would suggest 2 perko's and two batteries... total isolation...ask your installer...

intotheflats · Posted: Oct 02, 2004 9:36 pm Post subject:

as long as you don't turn the switch off while the engine is running you have nothing to worry about. A battery switch should not void a warranty reguardless of what brand it is. But in case you are wondering there are better switches than the perko, Blue Sea makes the best battery switch for boats as far as powerboat reports is concerned(PB reports is kind of like consumer reports for the boating world)

intotheflats · Posted: Oct 02, 2004 9:38 pm Post subject:

heres a link to the blue sea switch

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&productId=91533&catalogId=10001&classNum=297&subdeptNum=207&storeNum=9

DiyGuy · Soul Rider Joined: 26 Dec 2003 Posts: 460

As before, just don't run it in the OFF position, or in the BOTH position, unless you really need 'both' to start. Then go to A or B (1 or 2), then start recharge on each battery one at a time.

If you leave it in the BOTH postition, it won't hurt the alternator, but will get a very eneven charge on batteries.

Even if you smoke your alternator, it is usually just a diode that blows. Any alternator shop in town would do a rebuild for around $50 -$60 tops!

Easy way to tell if you blew it.....turn all unessential stuff off, the use a voltmeter. If it reads anything above 13v, it's working fine. (Engine running above 1500 RPM)