Battery Switch?

Does anyone have any tips for wiring up a switch for two batteries?  It would seem to require a special switch...   wondering if anyone has done it.

so you wanna have two batteries and be able to switch between 2/All/1/Off? Like a PBers do? They have switches for that. I believe its a perko battery switch. May not be an issue for our small batteries.

I want to be able to run one til it dies, then switch to the other...  so I have to pop my hatch half as often.

I saw the PB switches, but was wondering the same thing.

You don't need a H-D switch like the PB's use, just get a 2 circuit switch. Your amperage and voltage only needs a little toggle or rocker type switch.

I've looked at a lot of them online for the same reasons Eric.  They have some nice waterproof ones too!  Look for switches that have two positions and three poles.  I think the center is ground and two positives on the outside (but could be wrong, so look at it first).

Did you consider wiring your batteries in parallel?  You could eliminate the switch and have the full capacity to run your electronics.

Oooh, I hadn't considered that, thanks!

I can do it with an on/off/on switch, too.... 

You might consider one of the 12 volt computer back up batteries.  I use one and can run my FF/GPS for many days between recharges.  I have installed it in a small dry box that I Velcro to the inside of the hull.

I have considered that option, thanks. 

The major factor is weight.  Even two 10AA battery packs in a Lock n Lock container weigh about half of any of those type batteries I've seen.

The problem with the rechargeable AA's is after about a season they start to hold a charge for less time, (a day or so, instead of the 4-5 days' charge they hold initially)...  so now I've got a few battery packs of various age and I'm trying to find a way to get the most out of them.

I've got it wired parallel now, but I wonder if the weaker pack will suck a charge from the fresh one, trying to charge itself?

eric, what you need is to buy higher quality rechargeables.  best choice is sony eneloops or duracell pre charged.  these batteries are better made and will hold a charge up to a year with little degradation.

also, what type of battery charger are you using for your AAs?  if you are using a normal fast charger it will hurt your batteries in the long run. I recommend purchasing a lacrosse technology bc-700 or bc900 charger. they also have a "refresh" function that will bring some of your older batteries back to life.

dude, im telling ya, try the small lipo battery, i use on, weighs nothing, will last a few trips no prob.

I've got it wired so I can run off one battery, or two and that's been working great.

But my upgrade will be this battery:
http://www.batteryspace.com/lifepo418650battery128v4050mah5184wh7aratewpcb.aspx

And, Ben, I'm using one of these chargers:

Eric B,

Correct me if Im wrong, but the battery your looking at buying is a "Li-Ion"

The Super Brain 959, is a great little charger, BUT, I believe it is meant to charge JUST "NiCd"or "NiMH" from 3 - 8 cells..

Im not trying to be a part pooper,  but save you a headach and a potential mess... Ive played with a lot of these batteries, and i have seen Lithium batteries explode or shoot fire like a blow torch when connected to a "NiCd"or "NiMH" only charger.....

Now, your super brain may be capable of charging Lithium, but im pretty sure its "NiCd"or "NiMH"... check your instructions.

Like I said, not trying to be a party pooper, but these things can start fires if hooked up to the wrong type of charge!

Id still look at a "LiPo" (Lithium Polymer)  battery, its the new improved version of the "Lithium-Ion"

"The advantages of Li-poly over the lithium-ion design include lower cost manufacturing and being more robust to physical damage. Li-Po batteries started appearing in consumer electronics around 1996."

"Li-poly batteries are also gaining favor in the world of radio-controlled aircraft as well as radio-controlled cars, where the advantages of both lower weight and greatly increased run times can be sufficient justification for the price."

Great batteries, i use them for a lot.

Also you can get them in almost any shape, and they are SMALL! and POWERFULL!

anyway, check your charger, make sure its Li-Ion compatiable before you plug that Li-Ion battery in o ryou could have yourself a fire..

Porky

Thanks, Porky.  I had no idea it made a difference.  I figured the only variables were charge rate and time.

Just when I thought I was getting dialed in...

yeah man, no problem.... I just didnt want to hear your garage burned down!!

always check for battery/charger compatibility.

I recently sent Jedmo some links to a good lipo set up and a charger...

its a great little set up, my tiny battery has never failed me, even on a 3 day trip to tahoe, and i left it onn all night the first night I was there.