Guest Battery Switches

[SKYCHENEY]

I replaced all of mine when I bought the boat in 2004 as the plastic knobs were all broken. Now I just broke another one. Seems like a weak point. I see the new 2303A switch has a different knob on it. Is it any better?


old one

new one:

 

[captddis]

I have replaced some with the new switches, so far ok.

 

[SeaEric]

The old one's are amazing in their ability to work fine right up until the moment that they crumble in your hand.

 

[Beckytek]

Wow, this is crazy, mine just broke when I was winterizing yesterday. It worked fine until I turned it to off then on again. Couldn't start the engine.

 

[bobk]

What sort of shaft does the switch have? It might be possible fit some other knob to it.

Bobk

 

[Maynard Rupp]

It has a hex shaft. You can still operate it with a crescent wrench. The only issue is identifying the off position.

 

[Avenger]

Yep, they do have a remarkable ability to fail:

The other one split the housing so that everything looked fairly normal except the contacts weren't living up to their name. Obviously this wasn't the first time one of them quit either, because the two switches were different. One had a plastic shaft, the other was metal. Considering the history of problems my solution was Blue Seas Heavy Duty switches.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Yep, they do have a remarkable ability to fail:

The other one split the housing so that everything looked fairly normal except the contacts weren't living up to their name. Obviously this wasn't the first time one of them quit either, because the two switches were different. One had a plastic shaft, the other was metal. Considering the history of problems my solution was Blue Seas Heavy Duty switches.

Do the Blue Seas fit in the box?

 

[captddis]

It has a hex shaft. You can still operate it with a crescent wrench. The only issue is identifying the off position.

and the brass stud sticking out is energized...

 

[Avenger]

Do the Blue Seas fit in the box?

The Blue Seas are more compact, so you may need to make an adapter plate to fit your panel. Blue Seas has dimensioned drawings on their website.

 

[MikeP]

I hate it when parts that were guaranteed for 12 months only last 30+ years...

A small pair of vice grips and you have a permanent repair! Might look a little funny...paint 'em black

 

[Beckytek]

The knob on my switch is fine, it's the rest of the switch that fell apart. Yah, only lasted 27 years.

Maynard, if you need a knob I can send you my old one. Ron

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I hate it when parts that were guaranteed for 12 months only last 30+ years...

A small pair of vice grips and you have a permanent repair! Might look a little funny...paint 'em black

My original switches lasted 15 years. These are failing after 10.

And,
We all know that you wouldn't really permanently fix them with vice grips. Heck, you wouldn't even replace just one switch it if looked different. You'd have to replace them all if they didn't match.

 

[MikeP]

And,
We all know that you wouldn't really permanently fix them with vice grips. Heck, you wouldn't even replace just one switch it if looked different. You'd have to replace them all if they didn't match.

All true!

 

[Beckytek]

Tried to remove my Guest battery switch today. Wow, what a terrible job to do. One of the screws in the lower right hand side of the panel is fused into the aluminum cabinet. I couldn't remove the panel all the way just push it aside. I'll have to use a cold chisel on it to remove the head. Took all the screws out of the top panel and it wouldn't budge. All the large battery cables are connected and tied very neatly in bundles.You have to cut all the ties to get some play to move the switch and there is no room to get your hand in there. The switch has 7 or 8 huge cables on it. I was able to get the switch loose enough to loosen the cables. I'll remove the cables once I get the replacement. all this while being bent like a pretzel in the bilge. Not looking forward to putting the new one in.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Tried to remove my Guest battery switch today. Wow, what a terrible job to do. One of the screws in the lower right hand side of the panel is fused into the aluminum cabinet. I couldn't remove the panel all the way just push it aside. I'll have to use a cold chisel on it to remove the head. Took all the screws out of the top panel and it wouldn't budge. All the large battery cables are connected and tied very neatly in bundles.You have to cut all the ties to get some play to move the switch and there is no room to get your hand in there. The switch has 7 or 8 huge cables on it. I was able to get the switch loose enough to loosen the cables. I'll remove the cables once I get the replacement. all this while being bent like a pretzel in the bilge. Not looking forward to putting the new one in.

Yeah, I replaced all 4 of mine 10 years ago. It was tough then and I'm not getting any younger. At least I only have one to do right now.

 

[fissioneng]

I replaced all of mine when I bought the boat in 2004 as the plastic knobs were all broken. Now I just broke another one. Seems like a weak point. I see the new 2303A switch has a different knob on it. Is it any better?

I replaced both of mine in 2007 with the new knob type. Hole pattern is identical. No problems so far and the visual cue they provide is great.

And yes, the bolt under the knob is hot! This was perhaps the worst job I have done since owning the boat. I also had to replace the paralleling relay which is in the same panel.

I labeled everything, practically memorizing the drawings and took LOTS of pictures.