Archive for the ‘VSR’ Category

Manitou Pontoon Boat Wiring

June 10th, 2013 by Kevin Hannula

Kevin,

I am working on a 2005 22" Manitou Osprey Pro. Is there any source for obtaining a boat wiring diagram for this pontoon?

I just recently purchased this and have been trying to fix some electrical issues. Some are relatively straightforward.

Manitou Pontoon Boat

The pontoon's stereo speaker color codes matched the vendors color codes directly, but the stereo's power hookup did not - both yellow and red leads from the stereo were tied to a the pontoon's solid red wire. There was also a red wire with a yellow tracer in the same (stereo) wiring bundle of the pontoon but it was just clipped. Is one of the these a direct battery connection and the other one an on/accessory connection? The stereo wiring diagram shows two positive connections one labeled battery and the other labeled ignition - I don't want the stereo on all the time. The sun has faded all the indications of position for the ignition switch and all the switch/breaker functions. I don't even know if the ignition switch has an accessory function/position.

I don't know if the 5 function switch panel is a standard wiring. Is there a standard layout for the switches? Since the stereo speakers and power seem to follow the standard color codes for front -rear and power, is it safe to assume all the lights, horn and other accessories follow some standard of wiring? If so what are those standards and where can I find a standard schematic or wiring diagram for those standards?

I can't wait to get out fishing on this pontoon - it has an installation for a trolling motor battery in the console with direct wiring to an outlet mounted at the bow for the trolling motor (no battery installed yet) - there doesn't seem like a way to charge this battery from the engine's alternator/charger. Is there a way to connect this battery to the the engine's alternator but not allow the trolling motor battery to try to start the main engine? I don't what to run the higher gauge wiring for that. I just want to use the trolling motor battery for the trolling motor and accessories when the main engine is not running if that is possible.

I would like to develop a wiring diagram for this pontoon but I would hate to have to start from scratch and trace out the circuits by trail and error.

Any help would be really appreciated.

Hi,

It sounds like a previous owner was doing some wiring modifications. We know the Manitou crew very well, and it is not like them to have hidden wires clipped off in their harnesses.

The key switch accessory position question is based on the brand of the engine on your boat. The easiest way to tell is to turn the key switch. It will either have 3 positions (OFF-ON-START) or 4 position (ACC-OFF-ON-START). If the key has an accessory position, it will have an A or ACC on a tab on back of the key.

There is not a standard layout for the switches on your helm. I would consider calling Manitou in Lansing MI to see if they have replacement panels for your boat that would have the proper labeling for the panels.

Here is the common boat wiring color code used by most OEM boat builders, including Manitou. You should be able to use this to trace down any wires on the boat.

If you want to charge the trolling motor battery while the engine is running, you will need to run some larger wires between the starting battery and the trolling motor battery. This wire size is based on the size of the alternator on your engine. Most VSR smart battery switch systems are capable of handling 125+ amps but the limit is the size of your alternator. If you alternator is less than 20 amp, the VSR is almost a waste of money. You will need to run your outboard at full alternator output for nearly 3 hours to replace what the trolling motor can draw in less than 1 hour.

Hope this helps,

Kevin

Posted in Batteries, Battery Management, Boat Battery Wiring, Boat Lighting, Boat Wiring, Ignition Switch, Marine Battery Switch, Marine Electrical, Marine Engines, Marine Wiring, Navigation Lights, Panel Rewire, Pontoons, Power Boats, Trolling Motors, VSR | Comments Off

Wellcraft Wiring

April 3rd, 2012 by Kevin Hannula

Hi Kevin,

I’m considering a total redo of the marine electrical on my 1984 23ft Wellcraft Sportsman Walkaround.

I have a 200hp Mercury and the engine harness is fine as is the boat battery wiring and the switch wiring.

What I need to rewire is my navigation lights front and rear, anchor light, the two bilge pumps front and rear (with the option of adding one more in the rear) and docking lights also adding a few underwater lights on the transom. I also have a horn, washdown pump and trim tabs. I have one furuno 620 and two gps setups.Wellcraft Sportsman

What I want to know is if I order a boat wiring harness and switch harness from your sister marine electrical site, EzAcDc, will they cover everything I need? If not any help you could offer would be great.

Thank you

Tom

Hi Tom,

Thanks for considering some of the parts on our retail boat wiring site.

Our boat wiring harnesses contain wiring for an automatic bilge pump, a livewell pump, courtesy lights, navigation lights, docking lights, and a boat horn.

When combined with our switch panels, it is simple to connect additional electronics like your Furuno and your GPSs. Additional bilge pump wiring can be run from the pump to the switch panel.

We offer several boat battery switch systems to fit your needs. Our most popular is the smart marine battery switch system. Your 200 HP Merc will work great with this system.

Hope this helps. Thanks again.

Kevin

Posted in Batteries, Battery Management, Bilge Pump, Boat Battery Switches, Boat Battery Wiring, Boat Lighting, Boat Wire, Boat Wiring, Circuit Protection, Engine Harness, GPS, Horns, LEDs, Livewell Pump, Marine Battery Switch, Marine Electric, Marine Electrical, Marine Engines, Marine Wire, Marine Wiring, Navigation Lights, Outboard Engines, Panel Rewire, Power Boats, Pumps, Smart Battery Switch, Switch Panels, VSR | Comments Off

Smart enough for different batteries?

January 23rd, 2012 by Kevin Hannula

Kevin,

I am considering adding one of the new Automatic Smart Battery Switches to my Smokercraft fishing boat wiring setup.

My understanding is that you designed the system. If that’s correct, is it compatible with gel batteries? Can it be used with one lead/acid battery and one gel battery?

Thank you.A voltage sensitive relay is the smart part of a boat's smart battery switch.

John

Hi John,

I did configure the system for our partner boat wiring site, but the actual engineering was done by the component companies.

The smart part of our smart battery switch system is the BEP Voltage Sensitive Relay – or VSR. It makes the connection between the batteries when either battery rises about 13.7 volts and breaks the connection when the system drops below 12.8 volts. The VSR does not care what battery type is connected to either side.

The charging curves for Gel cells and lead acid are typically quite different. Our smart system will combine the batteries together and allow the two batteries to be charged by the engine alternator at the same time. If you are using one lead acid and one gel cell and the VSR as your only charging means, the lead acid will be under-charged and the gel cell will be over charged.

Hope this helps,

Kevin

Posted in Batteries, Battery Management, Boat Battery Switches, Boat Wiring, Marine Electrical, Pontoons, Power Boats, Smart Battery Switch, Trolling Motors, VSR | Comments Off

Trojan Trauma

January 9th, 2012 by Kevin Hannula

Kevin

I was on the Internet and saw your site with boat wiring questions and answers. So here is my nightmare:

I have just purchased a 1978 Trojan F28 Sedan Bridge with twin Chrysler 318s and a Onan MCCK generator.

In my salon I have the two OEM battery switches and on my instrument panel an emergency start momentary button. However, there is a factory crossover “system” in the engine compartment that is a incredible tangle of wires, CBs, solenoids and well, a disaster.

My question is this:Trojan F28

Do you know of a system of battery switches, etc to eliminate that OEM system to a more modern design? I have and plan to install a NOCO Genius GEN4 charger in the engine compartment. This boat has had a few previous owners who thought they were electricians…’nough said.

There has to be a better, “cleaner” way to crossover the batteries……….IF even needed at all.

Bernard

Hi Bernard,

How many batteries do you have? How automatic do you want the system?

There are some updated components that exist that will greatly simplify your battery switch system.

The dual pole battery switch combined with a VSR is a system that I put together for our partner site, EzAcDc, would be great for a two battery system (One engine and one house).

When you start adding a second starting battery and generator battery, it gets much more complex.

My friends at BEP also have a series of motorized battery switches to help reduce extra copper.

The ON/OFF 701-MD can be mounted in the engine room between the battery and the engine and greatly reduce the battery cable length. The switch can be remote operated by any toggle switch on your dash.

The 720-MDO-EP combines an emergency start with a VSR (voltage sensitve relay) to automatically parallel the batteries when charging and break the connection when not. The emergency start can be manually operated or controlled by a simple push button on the dash.

All of the these solutions will greatly decrease confusion in your engine room.

Kevin

Posted in Batteries, Battery Chargers, Battery Management, Boat Battery Switches, Boat Battery Wiring, Boat Wiring, Marine Electrical, Marine Engines, New Products, Smart Battery Switch, VSR | Comments Off

Tender Time

December 5th, 2011 by Kevin Hannula

Hi Kevin,

I recently bought one of those slick Smart Battery Switch VSR systems from your boat wiring store.

So, can I use a battery tender in conjunction with my new system?

Thanks. Boat Wiring Store offers complete Smart Battery Switch systems

Ralph

Hi Ralph,

Yes you can.

If you leave the battery switch in the ON position, the VSR will make the connection at 13.7 volts and charge both batteries. The VSR will open and close until the combined battery voltage stays about 12.6 volts for more than a few seconds.

Another option is to turn the switch into the Combine position. The battery tender will charge both batteries together and the VSR will not turn off and on.

Hope this helps,

Kevin

Posted in Batteries, Battery Chargers, Battery Management, Boat Battery Switches, Boat Wiring, Isolators, Marine Electrical, Outboard Engines, Panel Rewire, Pontoons, Smart Battery Switch, VSR | Comments Off

VSR Questions

November 21st, 2011 by Kevin Hannula

Kevin,

I am considering getting one of the Smart Battery Switches that you feature on your other boat wiring site. But, I have a few questions about the VSR and using it on my boat.Motorguide is the world's top manufacturer of trolling motors for your boat wiring project

I saw your boat wiring diagram and Smart Battery Switch tutorial – they were both very informative.

But, why is it necessary to put a dual battery switch in the mix? I am assuming that I would run normal with the switch open to both batteries. This way the VSR can manage the dual batteries, correct? When will I ever isolate and only use battery 1 or battery 2? I am assuming in this second scenario, i would be defeating the VSR, correct?

Thanks,

George

Hi George,

The two main reasons for the battery switch are to allow for a complete power down of your system and to give the ability for an emergency start by paralleling the batteries.

We use a Blue Seas Dual Circuit plus switch instead of the normal dual battery switch. It acts as an ON/OFF battery switch for both your engine and house battery. In the normal ON position, the batteries are only connected together by the VSR. If you rotate the switch to PLUS, it mechanically parallels the batteries in an emergency.

Hope this helps,

Kevin

Kevin,

Thanks for the explanation, I understand it better now. But this leaves me to new questions.

  • Is the “safe starting level” programmable/customizable?
  • Does it matter if I have two different batteries, ie: a starting battery, and a deep cell trolling motor/entertainment “House” Battery?  Or, should the batteries be identical?

Thanks,

George

Hi George,

The safe starting level on the VSR is not programmable. It engages at 13.7 volts and opens at 12.8 volts.

As long as both batteries have the same basic chemistry, it works great. Using a lead acid starting battery with a lead deep cycle house is a very common application.

Please let me know if you have any other questions,

Kevin

Posted in Batteries, Battery Management, Boat Battery Switches, Boat Wiring, Marine Electrical, Marine Engines, Panel Rewire, Pontoons, Power Boats, Smart Battery Switch, Trolling Motors, VSR | Comments Off

Combine and Tape

June 13th, 2011 by Kevin Hannula

Hello Kevin,

I just received my “Hours More Power” smart battery switch system from EzAcDc last week. I understand that you helped design this and have a question for you before I wire it up.

I have a Mercury 150 main motor and a Honda 8 kicker motor.

On the boat wiring diagram it shows the big motor positive connected to #1 on the battery switch, would I also place my kicker motor positive here? Or should I wire my kicker directly to my house battery? My kicker is electric start, but has no harness. It just has a positive and negative cable.Attwood liquid electrical tape

Thanks for your help.

Jason

Hi Jason,

You’re right. The smart battery switch system was configured by me for our boat wiring partner site, EzAcDc.

As for your question, I would connect the Kicker motor to the exact same terminals as your 150 main. My preference is to limit the number of wires that are directly connected to the battery.

Please let me know if you need any additional information.

Kevin

Kevin.

One more thing. Do you recommend liquid electrical tape on VSR and Battery Switch connections?

Thanks again.

Jason

Hi Jason,

Yes.

Anything you can do to help prevent water intrusion will reduce the chance of corrosion and increase the life of your marine electrical system.

Thanks

Kevin

Posted in Batteries, Battery Management, Boat Battery Switches, Boat Wiring, Corrosion, Cruisers, Marine Electrical, New Products, Outboard Engines, Pontoons, Power Boats, Smart Battery Switch, VSR | Comments Off

Outboard Isolator?

May 31st, 2011 by Kevin Hannula

Hello Kevin,

I am adding a Guest 2503 battery isolator to the boat wiring on my 1991 Boston Whaler Offshore – and a dedicated house battery, which the boat currently does not have.

The boat currently has two batteries, and two 1998 200 hp Mercury Optimax outboards.

I have a couple questions:

  1. I am told by a knowledgeable person that the boat wiring diagram included with the isolator is for inboard motor applications, not outboards. If that is the case, do you know where I might find a boat wiring diagram for outboard motors?
  2. I would like to include Guest battery switches in the new marine electrical setup to allow
    • all batteries to be on or off
    • each motor battery run independantly, or, together
    • the house battery to be independant of the motor batteries

Thanks for the help!Boston Whaler Offshore

Tom

Hi Tom,

Battery isolators work great on inboard engines, but are a real challenge to add to an outboard’s boat wiring. Usually, they don’t have a dedicated alternator output that you can tap into.

Before you begin this project, I would do some research to see how the alternator output is wired on your Opti’s. I don’t know.

If an isolator is not the solution, VSR based smart battery switches work great and do not rely on alternator output.

Please let me know what you learn on the engine alternator wiring and if I can help you design a smart battery switch system that will work for you.

Kevin

Posted in Batteries, Battery Management, Boat Battery Switches, Boat Wiring, Isolators, Marine Electrical, Marine Engines, Outboard Engines, Pontoons, Power Boats, Sailboats, Smart Battery Switch, VSR | Comments Off

Needs Boat Wiring Diagram

May 9th, 2011 by Kevin Hannula

Hi Kevin,

On your other boat wiring website you have a really nice schematic for a boat wiring system with two batteries, a VSR smart battery switch, a marine electrical ground bus, and a battery switch. Mercury Verado 150

My question is; could you please draw a schematic for the same situation but add second motor?

I have a 17 Smokercraft with a 150 hp Mercury Verado and a 9.9 hp Bigfoot kicker.

I have just purchased two Tournament Walker downriggers, so I mounted them on the boat and instead of a bunch of rigger wiring hanging all over I mounted an outside spring loaded coverplate over a receptacle just underneath the two rear fold down seats. This is to plug the riggers into.

Now obviously the back of the receptacle is in both of the battery enclosures. With the two downriggers, it also calls for a 30 amp fuse. If you could draw a schematic for this application I would greatly appreciate it.

Is this application ok with the Verado? Is it neccesary to include the marine electrical ground bus and would you recommend any other ways to properly configure this boat wiring?

I also purchased an onboard battery charger. How would I incorporate this into the equation and could you please tell me what and how to use this portable charger to charge the system when I get home without harming any of the marine electrical components?

Thanks. You guys are awesome!!!!

Scott

Hi Scott,

Thank you for all of the kind words about our boat wiring sites.

I believe that this boat wiring configuration should work great for your marine electrical setup.

Hope this helps,

Kevin

Posted in Batteries, Battery Chargers, Battery Management, Boat Battery Switches, Boat Wiring, Circuit Protection, Gauge Panels, Ground issues, Jon Boats, Marine Electrical, Marine Engines, Panel Rewire, Pontoons, Power Boats, Voltage Drop, VSR | Comments Off

Can Smart Switch Handle Verado?

March 14th, 2011 by Kevin Hannula

Kevin,

I have a newer bass boat with the 300 Mercury Verado.

I was wondering can you tell me if this smart battery switch system’s components are big enough for the alternator in my boat and if this single system will work with my boat wiring?Mercury Verado works great with smart battery switch system

Thanks,

Randy

Hi Randy,

I’m not sure how you managed to find our new partner site, Boat Wiring Store. We haven’t even got it all posted yet!

But, to answer your question, the smart battery switch will work great on your Mercury Verado. The included battery switch has a continuous rating of 350 amps and a 10 second rating of 1,000 amps. This is definitely adequate to start your engine.

The VSR that comes with the system has a continuous rating of 125 amps and an intermittent rating of 150 amps. This will allow you to charge a completely dead house battery while running all of your DC equipment at the same time.

Hope this helps.

Please let me know if you have any other questions,

Kevin

Posted in Batteries, Battery Chargers, Battery Management, Boat Battery Switches, Boat Wiring, Marine Electrical, Outboard Engines, Pontoons, Power Boats, Voltage Drop, VSR | Comments Off
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