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[lesfac]

I plan to run my Severn with 2 Emax 4030 motors with 2 Hobbyking 90 amp esc's. I will use 2  5 cell lipo batteries linked in parallel.
I have put a fuse holder in the positive supply of each esc.
My query is what switch to use to isolate the batteries.
I have looked around and high power switches seem to be not too common.
I initially thought that switches suitable for say 600 volts AC at 20 amps (I have one) might be OK for more amps at 18 volts dc. But I am reading that it doesn't work like that.
As the main switch will always be thrown with the throttle off, ( barring mishap) there should be low amps as the switch is thrown but obviously high current will flow on full throttle.
Could you chaps with working solutions tell me what set up you run?
Thanks in advance
Les

[JimG]

As the main switch will always be thrown with the throttle off, ( barring mishap) there should be low amps as the switch is thrown but obviously high current will flow on full throttle.

Thanks in advance
Les

Hi Les
with a 5s Lipo you can expect quite a high current when you first switch on. This goes to charge the capacitors on the esc. You can see this if you just plug the esc to the battery, there will be a good spark as the connectors meet. Most switches don't like sparks between the contacts, this can cause pitting of the contacts increasing resistance.
Rather than using a switch I would just rely on a good battery connector, just connect the batteries before use and unplug when finished. Make sure the connector can take the maximum current from the motors.
e.g. XT60 is 60 amps, XT90 is 90 amps.

Jim

[lesfac]

Thanks Jim
I had it in mind that a switch was best practice. (Mainly because of some odd fuse blowing on my other boat which I never did understand. The fuse blew several times when I swopped battery. It went away when I turned off on a switch for the battery change)
That being said your comments made me think again about the necessity of a switch maybe most people don't use them?

If I do use a switch I have today found automotive battery isolator switches which are good for up to 200 amps.
Thanks
Les