Ignition - Perko Switch - Constant Power?
 

Finally got my new to me boat wired and started up. I used the existing 2 battery Perko switch and added a BEP VSR and wired all as described in the directions as well as following the factory wiring diagram for wiring the motor as the motor was out when I got it. What I find is when the Perko switch is on OFF the stereo has power and works, I can turn on the ignition key and it will kick the solenoid but not start the motor, no other things seem to work like the trim/tilt and all of this is draining the number 1 battery (starting). All seems fine for power to start if I switch to #2 or common if the #1 is drained. I did see there is a 14 gauge wire from the common terminal on the Perko that runs into the wiring loom and goes to the front of the boat but I do not know where that goes.

Is the Perko "Off" truly not a battery cutt-off? This is an older boat and has been sitting for some time.
thanks
http://vid393.photobucket.com/albums/pp15/burnout1969420/20170528_124108_zps5httpyjr.mp4

The only thing that has power on my boat with the switch in the off position is the drive trim pump.

Sounds like something is not wired correctly.

The only thing that should have power. Depends where your switches are. Bilge pump and float switch. And power hatch

Yes I forgot about the bildge pump. That is also powered all the time on mine.

thanks for the responses guys. I guess I am going to have to go back and look everything over and check to see if the bilge pump works as I know the trim/tilt does not in the off position.

I have drive trim and bilge pump. IMO that is correct.

Padraig

What's the advantage of trim pumps being direct? Bilge pump and float switch are the only items not switched on mine.

Tahoe

I'd trace that 14 g common wire to make sure it isn't inadvertently "crossing" circuits/items.

Just my opinion but if you forget to trim up or down it is nice to do so without having to get under rear seat and turn switch on.

Padraig

Gotcha- that makes sense!

I think the stereo has a wire so you do not loose the channel memory when power is turned off - maybe that is connected to the main radio power

I did figure it out my issue. Everything was hooked up correctly except I had wired the new 6 gauge alternator wire to the batteries instead of the common on the Perko switch. After I did this everything works as planned. I did find that that it is wired to allow the tilt, blowers, bilge pump and stereo with no ignition switch.