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(Marko) wrote in
om:

Nothing worse than having plans to use my boat, only to find I left
the fish finder on or the kids left the stereo on. BATTERY DEAD, PLANS
CANCELED, ME CRABBY!

Does anyone have a shutoff switch on their boat battery to avoid this?
If so, what type?

Thanks, Marko

I've got the $25 Blue Seas switch. Mounted it flush. Looks great works
great. And the lever comes out like a key so you can have another layer of
anti-theft protection if you want. Although of course I might forget (and
have forgotten on occasion) to turn off the battery switch, its less likely
becasue I've made it part of my retrieve procedure (outdrive up, switch
off). I have to do this everytime, unlike other devices which I may or may
not have turned on, so it's easier to remember.

Also, there is no way to accidently flip it on or mistake whether its on or
off, unlike the rocker switches on my dash, which can be flipped on with a
knee and whose status of on or off aren't always readily apparent without
close inspection. Another side benefit is that a shutoff switch prevents
any parasitic drain whatsoever. I know I should periodically charge in the
off season, but I usually don't and it always starts up in the spring, even
after 4-6 months of non-use.

One last recommendation: Whatever way you go, get one of those portable
emergency starting batteries and keep it charged. Put it on the boat. It
doesn't need to be easily accessible, but when you need it, you'll be glad
it's there. Mine's under the bow seat as far forward as possible, since I
wanted the weight forward. One day at the lake I ran my battery down trying
to start because I had a fuel pump wire problem which took me a while to
find. By the time I corrected the problem, there was no more crank left in
the battery. Pulled out the portable system and found out there's a lot of
power in the little box. Turned right over and started right up. My old
boat had two batteries. My current boat only has one and I wanted a backup.
The portable is cheaper, easier (no installation or wiring, location
doesn't matter) lighter and more versitile (I can use it on the beach for
an pump, light etc.). Don't leave home without it!