Battery Switches

[LAGOS]

Does anyone know where one can find "attractive" battery switches? Everywhere I look, it's the same old big ugly things. My helm station is begging for something nice.

[JimConlin]

There are some compact ones from Blue Seas which can be mounted behind panels.

[Adker]

Have you considered using a remote mounted solenoid swith controlled by a key or toggle switch? This also allows running a lighter gauge wire from the control switch to the solenoid, limiting the length of the expensive battery cable.

[Figment]

I've been wrestling with the same dilemma, but on a broader scope. I can't seem to find any electrical devices (battery switches, meters, breakers, etc..) that look even remotely appropriate to a classic boat. I have a handful of those great old knobby-ended little brass toggle switches, but not enough to meet my needs, and I haven't been able to lay my hands on any more.

I've given up. I'm just buying the most economically priced devices I can find, those godawful red-lit "sea-dog" things, and hiding it all behind a well ventilated wooden panel.

[Bob Cleek]

Send for a copy of the Cole-Hersee catalog. That's about as good as it gets. Far as I know, they are the only ones still making things like honest to God real brass jeweled indicator lights and the like. Their battery selector switch is the best on the market in my book. I believe they do sell those classic toggle switches, too.

[LAGOS]

Thanks to everyone,

Bob- great info. I went to the website and found what I needed. Many Thanks.

[stevenovascotia]

I'm probably too late but here's my 2 cents worth. When I needed to put an electrical system on the Margarite T, a 1800's Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter for her owner I faced the same problem. My solution was to build battery switches. I was able to get a quantity of old knife blade switches from the local power utility - they use them in metering cabinets for disconnecting the current transformers. I mounted the knife switches on a piece of 3/8" phonelic insulation board (reddish brown color), its available from any electric motor shop. I did the distribution panel the same way with smaller switches. The phonelic face plate was hinged on a wood frame with the fuses behind it.
All in all it turned out well and suited the boat. The switches were all copper with brass screws. Good luck.

[Bob Cleek]

While most of us with old boats have lived with them, knife switches are a major no-no under the NPFA (Nat. Fire Protection Assn.) standards. A knife switch will spark when it makes contact, which may ignite explosive fumes in the enclosed spaces of a boat. The new Perko and Cole-Hersee rotary battery switches are vapor proof to avoid this danger.

[Steve McMahon]

Thanks Bob.
You are correct of course.
I neglected to say that I use them only for the house battery disconnect and distribution panel, mounted in the nav station. In the enclosed space of the engine compartment I do use the spark proof type switch for the engine battery disconnect / emergency parallel. I guess you would have to confirm with local authorities, but here the Coast Guard has no issues as long as the knife switches are a couple of feet up off the cabin sole and in the open - well ventilated.