ACR or VSR switch a good upgrade?

[Raycaster]

I have a 2+1 switch now but wondering if a auto switch is worth it?

[CrowMan]

Not sure what you mean by "worth it" ? The advantage of an ACR is just that ...it's automatic, so you never have to worry about forgetting to switch the charging from one battery to another. It'll probably also increase your battery life, because they'll be all always kept at optimum charge.

On the other hand, if you're OK with remembering to switch them manually, then yes, save yourself $200. Personally, I like having the manual control, but for some boaters the more automated things are the better.

The only negative I've heard is that if you don't use your boat for an extended period, some ACR's can have a small parasitic current drain.

Edited July 25 by CrowMan

[AKRISONER]

im running an ACR and can absolutely say with certainty the blue sea ACR does have a parasitic drain...not particularly an issue if youre aware of it, but its there. Do i love having it though? For the kinda fisherman that wants to run 3 graphs plus livescope for a 10+ hour day on the water, the ACR to me is must have equipment at this point.

One thing I should maybe consider is just throwing a couple of switches into the boat to essentially isolate the ACR entirely when i have my boat parked for weeks at a time.

In general what I do do is if my boat has been sitting for a week, i just make sure to plug it in the night before I leave again to make sure my electronics battery is topped right up.

Do they work...Fished a tournament on wednesday and didnt drive a ton, had the battery down to 11.8volts by the end of the day...it sure was nice to see it back at 12.3 as I was driving back to weigh in.

Had a couple sketchy days on the water a few years back before I got the ACR, was out pre fishing and ended up being out there for 12 hours, 20 kilometers from home and my graphs all start going off telling me my voltage is low...not ideal to run Georgian bay, fishing new water and have to drive home in the evening with no graphs...made it back, but that sold me on the ACR.

Edited July 25 by AKRISONER

[Raycaster]

Thank you for the replies guys, could you suggest an appropriate model for a standard 18ft aluminum crank battery + DC house battery setup? 

[AKRISONER]

i personally went with the Blue sea, just because they are reputable. Make sure when you wire it up, that your using tinned copper wire in a very heavy guage (i ran 4) and that your terminal ends are also tinned and heat shrunk!

[Raycaster]

Thank you. Its on my list.