just to clarify..........

[Essex29]

So do I hook up the power wire from the amps to the common (middle bolt) on the back of the perko or to either #1 or #2???
Do I hook the misc wires ...hatch arms, power remote (amp), and whatever to the batteries directly?
This s hit is getting confusing :confused:

[phebus]

Everything comes off the common on the Perko. Otherwise, there is no need for a switch. If you want to isolate the stereo off only one bank of your batteries, add a second Perko.

[probablecause]

Phebus is correct. However, how you control the power depends on how many Perkos you are going to run and where on the "run line" you put them. How are you going to turn your amps off once they are hooked up?
The easiest way would be to have the common power come out of your Perko to a mini-12volt panel with rocker switches on them. One switch for each amp, radio, etc.. You could control extra lights, a 12 cigarette lighter adapter for a blender, etc. Or you could put an electronic isolator between the two banks of batteries that only allows juice to be drawn from your starter battery while the motor is running. Once the motor is off, there would be no draw from the starter battery.

[Essex29]

Phebus is correct. However, how you control the power depends on how many Perkos you are going to run and where on the "run line" you put them. How are you going to turn your amps off once they are hooked up?
The easiest way would be to have the common power come out of your Perko to a mini-12volt panel with rocker switches on them. One switch for each amp, radio, etc.. You could control extra lights, a 12 cigarette lighter adapter for a blender, etc. Or you could put an electronic isolator between the two banks of batteries that only allows juice to be drawn from your starter battery while the motor is running. Once the motor is off, there would be no draw from the starter battery.
Can you draw a diagram of what you are saying????? :confused:

[ROZ]

How are you going to turn your amps off once they are hooked up?
Are you speaking of cutting power completely(main 2ga power cable) or are you speaking of a remote trigger that trips the amp on and off? Head unit's remote turnon via a relay switches/triggers the amps on and off...
The easiest way would be to have the common power come out of your Perko to a mini-12volt panel with rocker switches on them. One switch for each amp, radio, etc..
From the perko for main power cable, the switch and panel will have to be rated to pass up to 50amps per amp...... For the amps atleast... While many Marine circuit breaker panels are good for a cumulative 45 amps, most Marine 12/24 volt switches are up to 20amps... Perfect for all the accessories.
GG, what wires did you remove from the boat? Other than adding and wiring the extra perko's common to the beginning of your amps power run, everthing should have remained the same... From the 1st perko's common

[ROZ]

GG, What town do you live?

[probablecause]

From the perko for main power cable, the switch and panel will have to be rated to pass up to 50amps per amp......
Good Point. It sounds like GG wantsto hook everything up directly to his battery bank.

[Essex29]

GG, What town do you live?
I am in Ventura County, Camarillo to be exact..
I am making this sound way more complicated than it is......
I didn't remove any wires other than the 4 guage from the amp that was hooked directly to the bank of stereo batteries.
So it should go like this...
1...wire from stereo batteries to #1 on Perko
2...wire from starting batteries to #2 on Perko
3...amp remote to the positive on one of the starting batteries
4...amp power to the bolt marked common (middle bolt) on the Perko
5...all grounds the the block
6...hatch ram power wires hooked directly to the starting batteries
7...drink and hope the weekend is successful!

[Flyinbowtie]

GG;
Blue Sea Systems now has a combo switch/breaker that is available in ratings up to 150 amps, it is a surface-mount unit and it might be an alternative to the traditional perko switch for just switching the main amp feed on and off.
Here is a link if you are interested.
http://www.bluesea.com/product.asp?Product_Id=53863&d_Id=7407&l1=7407&l2=

[ROZ]

3...amp remote to the positive on one of the starting batteries
You can do this, but you'll need a switch..
The best way is to connect the remote turnon lead(blue w/white stripe) to the amp's remote turnon... When the deck turns on a low voltage signal is sent to the amp switching it on...
If you have more than 2 amps, you'll need a relay... The relay goes between the amps and headunit...
The relay has 4 spades(connections) that will be used.
1. Connects to the headunit's remote turn on (signals it on or off)
2. Ground
3. 12V constant( from battery or any hot lead)
4. Connects to all the amps (sends 12v from constant to multiple amp turnons)
This needs to be done because most decks only output between 250 and 800 milivolts. Just enough to power on one aux item. You can destroy the headunits 12 trigger if you don't do it...