The battery switch is a battery-management component that allows you to charge and run your boat’s electrical components from a single battery. If you’re like most boaters, you have a battery charger and you run lights, electronics, and other appliances from your batteries, even when the engine is not running. That’s why you need one of these battery switches. A battery switch automatically disconnects one battery from being used to start the engine and allows you to run lights, electronics, and other appliances from a single battery, even when the engine is not running.
To help you select the best boat battery switches for your needs, we’ve turned to customer reviews on Amazon, where thousands of boaters have left ratings and rave reviews for their favorite products. These best-selling items not only have near-perfect ratings, but they also have dozens of glowing reviews describing why they’re so great.
Read on for the best boat battery switches.
Our Editor’s Best Boat Battery Switches Reviews
- Selector 4 Position. Switches isolated battery banks to all loads or combines battery banks to all loads
- Ignition protected—safe for installation aboard gasoline powered boats
- IP66 waterproof, ISO 8846 and meets ABYC requirements
- Terminal Stud Size: 3/8" - 16
- Continuous rating: 350A, Maximum voltage: 32V DC
- Blue Sea Systems Battery Switch m-Series ON/OFF with Knob, part number 6006, is a Single Circuit ON-OFF switch. Switches a single battery to a single load group
- IP66 waterproof, ISO 8846 and meets ABYC requirements. Ignition protected—safe for installation aboard gasoline powered boats
- Make before break contact design allows switching between battery banks without power interruption
- Continuous Rating: 300A, Maximum Voltage: 48V DC
- Robust redesign done in July 2017. Premium warranty & support
- Heavy Duty: ABS plastic housing, durable made for safety use, rear cover insulates terminals against any short of circuits, equipped with 4 sets of bolts.
- Operation: On/Off 2 positions, 275 A continuous at DC 12V, 455 A intermittent at DC 12V, 1250 A momentary at DC 12V.
- Compatible: used for DC 12 - 48V systems to isolate and secure the electrical system, can stand alone or be locked together with other switch.Its purpose is to eliminate any power draw from the battery when vehicle or boat is not in use, disconnects the battery safely.
- Widely used for car, marine boat, RV, camper, travel trailer, truck, ATV, UTV, battery banks and other devices.
- Package include:1x On/Off battery switch,4 bolts incuded.
- Permits selection between batteries for starting, charging or operation in parallel
- For use with two or more batteries and systems under 50V
- UL listed, ignition protected and CE approved
- Capacity: 250A continuous, 360A intermittent
- Size: 5-1/4 inch x 2-5/8 inch
- Great Product
- Item Package Dimension: 7.52L x 5.83W x 3.31H inches
- Item Package Weight - 0.86 Pounds
- Item Package Quantity - 1
- Product Type - ELECTRONIC SWITCH
- Ideal Power Switch: With tinned copper inner studs, the boat battery switch has better contact performance and good conductivity, greatly reducing power consumption. Studs Size: 2 x 3/8" (10mm). Furthermore, the housing of battery kill switch is made of flame-retardant plastic for safer use in messy or moist environment
- 2 Position & Ignition Protected: This battery shut off switch is single circuit ON/OFF design, simply turning the knob to ON or OFF position to realize the control of the power circuit. Of course this car battery switch has ignition protection as its crank rating that withstands 900A for 30 seconds, 500A for 5 minutes, and 300A continuously
- Easy to Install: The battery disconnect switch is euipped with mounting screws for easy installation which could save your time and money on extra accessories. The 12V switch shell is easily disassembled, and the space inside the shell is large to complete the wiring tasks. Moreover, the switch base has partition design to reduce interference between wires
- Safe and Practical: This battery cut off switch is suitable for 12-48V DC systems, often used for the control and protection of electrical systems. When the battery is not in use for a long time, this car battery switch can safely disconnected the power supply so that can prevent leakage and reduce energy consumption
- Wide Compatibility: The marine battery switch is usually used with the battery box, fuse block which can isolate and protect the electrical system. This battery switch is widely applied to marine, boat, yacht, car, RV, camper, travel trailer, truck, ATV, UTV, etc. When your RV, boat or car is not in use, the power switch can safely disconnect the battery power, reducing the additional loss of battery power and extending the battery life
- Heavy Duty: ABS plastic housing, durable made for safety use, rear cover insulates terminals against any short of circuits, equiped with 4 sets of bolts.
- Specification: On/Off 2 positions, 275 A continuous at DC 12V, 455 A intermittent at DC 12V, 1250 A momentary at DC 12V.
- Compatible: used for DC 12 - 48 V systems to isolate and secure the electrical system, can stand alone or be locked together with other switch.
- Purpose: eliminate any power draw from the battery when vehicle or boat is not in use, disconnects the battery safely.
- Copper terminal stud size: 3/8" (10 mm) x 2, very easy to install, universal used for car, vehicle, Rv and boat, also electrical equipment's switch.
- Switches a single battery to a single load group Ignition protected - safe for installation aboard gasoline powered boats
- IP66 waterproof, ISO 8846 and meets ABYC requirements
- Accepts two 4/0 AWG (95mm²) battery cables.
- Terminal Stud Size: 1/2"
- Continuous Rating: 600A, Max Voltage: 32VDC
- ENHANCED POWER MANAGEMENT: The Battery switch has a Continuous rating of 350A, and a maximum Operating Voltage is 32V. The Battery Switch enables swift transitions between two batteries for accessory power, ensuring one remains at full capacity for rapid engine starts. Alternatively, it allows for combining two batteries to enhance available power, addressing any power-related challenges.
- SUPERIOR QUALITY: Our Battery switches feature durable heavy-duty plastic housing with Nickel Plated Copper studs, providing excellent weather resistance and an extended service lifespan. With an IP66 waterproof rating, ISO 8846 compliance, and adherence to ABYC requirements for the Boat, this Battery Switch is also ignition-protected, ensuring safe installation on gasoline-powered boats. These features make it an intelligent choice for your needs.
- WIDE APPLICATION: Our battery switch is universally used for Boat, Ship, and Yacht batteries, making it an effortless job to switch between the batteries. Always remember to turn off your engine before disconnecting the battery.
- EASY TO OPERATE: Battery disconnect switch with 4 positions. switched 1 or 2 to accessory power while keeping one at 100% for fast engine starts; Switched 1+2 to boost available power by combining two batteries to solve any power situation; Switched OFF to disconnect the circuit from power.
- 100% LIFETIME PROTECTION: Enjoy reliable performance with our lifetime protection, ensuring that your product will always be covered for any defects or issues that may arise.
- Versatile; use for 6-volt to 32-volt D. C. (direct current) systems
- Rated for 300 amps continuous use at 6 volts and 150 amps continuous use at 12 volts
- Includes an automatic alternator field circuit disconnect to prevent surges and so, protect your valuable boat electronics
- Rugged build features Bakelite housing, copper washers, and solid brass terminals and nuts
- Attwood products are both compatible and reliable, engineered and built with a never-fail attitude
Best Boat Battery Switches Buying Guide
Before choosing the best boat battery switches you should consider following options:
1. Automatic Switches: Automatic switches are designed to turn ON the battery bank when the shore power is disconnected. This is achieved by sensing the voltage of the incoming AC from the shore and switching ON the battery bank when the voltage falls below a preset limit.
Advantages:
a. Prevents the battery bank from over-discharging.
b. Reduces the need for maintenance.
c. Aids in keeping the batteries fresh when they are not in use.
Disadvantages:
a. The automatic switch may not detect the loss of AC power if it is disconnected slowly.
b. The battery bank may not be able to power essential items in an emergency if the automatic switch is set too low.
2. Manual Switches: A manual switch is used to connect the battery bank to the loads when the AC power is disconnected.
Advantages:
a. Allows the battery bank to be used when AC power is disconnected, even if the automatic switch is set too low.
b. Easy to set to the desired voltage level.
Disadvantages:
a. Requires regular checks and adjustments.
b. Potentially dangerous, as the battery bank may be connected to the loads even when AC power is connected.
3. Non-Disconnectable Switches: This manual switch is designed to control the battery bank in the event of AC power failure. The switch can be turned ON only when the AC power is switched off.
Advantages:
a. The switch is easy to operate.
b. Prevents the battery bank from being accidentally connected to the AC loads.
Disadvantages:
a. May not be able to power essential items in an emergency.
b. Requires regular checks and adjustments.
4. Dual Battery Bank: This setup uses two 12-volt batteries in series to form a 24-volt battery bank. The dual battery bank is connected to essential loads, while the starter battery bank is used to start the engine and run the auxiliary equipment.
Advantages:
a. Provides enough power to run essential loads even when one of the batteries is discharged.
b. Easy to wire.
c. Cheaper than a larger battery bank.
Disadvantages:
a. Potentially dangerous, as both batteries are used at the same time.
b. Battery bank may not last as long as two single batteries connected in parallel.
c. Requires regular checks and adjustments.
5. Parallel Bank: This type of battery bank uses two 12-volt batteries in parallel to form a 24-volt bank. The parallel battery bank is connected to the essential loads.
Advantages:
a. Longer battery life.
b. Less maintenance.
c. Cheaper than a dual battery bank.
Disadvantages:
a. Potentially dangerous, as both batteries are used at the same time.
b. Requires regular checks and adjustments.
c. Takes up more space than a dual battery bank.
What else you should know about boat battery switches
1. What is a boat battery switch?
A boat battery switch is a switch that is used to turn the battery on and off.
2. How does a boat battery switch work?
A boat battery switch is a device that is used to turn the power on and off to the boat battery. It is usually located in the engine compartment or near the battery.
3. Why is a boat battery switch important?
A boat battery switch is important for several reasons. First, it allows you to isolate the battery so that you can work on it without having to worry about electrical shocks. Second, it prevents the battery from accidentally being discharged, which could damage the boat. Finally, it makes it easier to keep track of the battery’s charge level so that you can ensure it is always ready to go.
4. How do I install a boat battery switch?
There are many ways to install a boat battery switch, but the most common and recommended way is to use marine-grade battery terminals. First, disconnect the negative (-) terminal of the battery. Next, using a battery terminal wrench, remove the positive (+) terminal from the battery. Now, take the battery switch and connect the negative (-) terminal of the battery to the negative (-) terminal of the switch. Finally, connect the positive (+) terminal of the battery to the positive (+) terminal of the switch.
5. What are the benefits of having a boat battery switch?
There are many benefits to having a boat battery switch. A boat battery switch allows you to easily and quickly change between different batteries, which can be helpful if one battery dies or if you want to use a different battery for a different purpose. A boat battery switch can also help to prevent battery theft, as it can be difficult for someone to steal a battery if it is not easily accessible.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best boat battery switches. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best boat battery switches will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.