Battery Switch Relocate

[Simonsen]

Hi All,

We should hopefully closing on our boat purchase this coming week if all the repairs are done and 2nd successful sea trial is performed.

My question is - owners that have 2855 Ciera have you relocated your battery on/off switch anywhere more convenient? It's not super easy to get to in the engine room especially if you have carpet in the cockpit. Where did you move yours?

Thanks!
Derek

[builderdude]

Cant speak for the 2855 owners but moving the MBSS somewhere easily accessible from inside the cabin has been fantastic.

[MonteVista]

On my 2013 285 cruiser the MBSS is located inside the cabinet which is accessed from the swim platform.

[fritzman]

Don't know your lay out, but I moved my switch in to the back and side of the helm seat, simple to reach.

[Spyderweb2]

My 2007 285 was in storage accessed from swim platform, same as MontVista. Never thought that was a bad spot.

[watchthis]

I moved mine to the cabinet just aft of the helm seat. A buddy of mine has a 1999 2855 and he moved his to behind one of the circular twist off access ports.

[talman]

There is usually enough extra wire to mount the switch in the boat next to you.

[Simonsen]

Thanks everyone! I appreciate the feedback as always. I'll let you know what we decide!

[LOVERMAN]

Our 2855 came with this access port installed in the engine room cover. I assumed it was standard before seeing others online. It is not too bad to use.

[2850Bounty]

My take:

In my opinion, our MBSS should never be mounted within the engine bay.
Why.... because we not only want convenience, we also want the ability to access it quickly in the event of a major 12 vdc electrical issue.
If there is an electrical fire, we don't necessarily want to open the hatch to reach in and turn the MBSS off!

Now...... some will support the idea of the MBSS being within the engine bay under the guise that routinely opening the hatch (to access the MBSS) gives us an inspection opportunity.
I say bunk to that............ we should be in the habit of doing that anyway.


.

[MonteVista]

+1 to Rick about setting the MBSS such that the engine compartment need not be opened to access the MBSS.

On my boat I implemented an additional feature that some others may find complicated, unnecessary or even prone to failure yet I find it to be very convenient. After 7 years of use I had no problem with it. That feature is to implement 2 RBS (Remote Battery Switch/Relay) devices that are coupled to each other and the MBSS. The RBS devices are controlled via manual switches located on the helm dashboard. The overall result is that upon arrival at the boat I turn the MBSS (inside the locker accessed via the swim platform) to the #1 position. This allows me to use the dashboard switches to engage/disengage the RBS devices so I can select either the HOUSE or START battery for use. After the engine is started I use the dashboard switches to switch to the HOUSE battery. Upon my return back to the marina my last action is to use the MBSS to disconnect both batteries. The third switch seen on the dashboard controls the ACR so I can engage or disengage it manually, if desired.

[2850Bounty]

Bulent.... why do you have to complicate things? LOL 😁 That's my job! LOL

[MonteVista]

Rick, I am lazy! I don't want to keep walking between my cockpit seat and the swim platform to manipulate the MBSS. I do a lot of day trips where I travel to a favorite spot, drop anchor, spend the whole day there and then come back to the marina. Sometimes I spend a few nights at anchor before I move on. I am very disciplined that as soon as I drop anchor I want to switch the MBSS to HOUSE and also switch the battery to ENGINE for starting the engine. When I have guests in the cockpit I don't want to say "'cuze me, 'cuze me" to pass among them between the swim platform and the cabinet. Also. sometimes I forget to change. With my set up I have a routine that I go through checking switches, etc. before I start. The cockpit switches make it simple for me. I would probably not install the relay switches f I had the MBSS under the dashboard. So, my option was (a) relocate the MBSS or (b) add this complexity. Ever the tinkerer I chose the latter. I will not ever claim this is what everyone should do.

Enjoy!

[2850Bounty]

Rick, I am lazy! I don't want to keep walking between my cockpit seat and the swim platform to manipulate the MBSS. ..................

Enjoy!

I was kidding you.
I agree..... let's make it easy.

I've done something similar with the use of the Blue Sea 7622 ML-ACR Automatic Charging Relay with Manual Control