Perko 8603DP 380A Heavy Duty Battery Selector Switch with AFD
- Brand:
- Perko
- Part no:
- 8603DP
Image: Fisheries Supply
Where to buy
Specifications
- Continuous rating
- 380 A
- Intermittent rating
- 850 A (5 minutes on, 5 minutes off)
- Alternator field disconnect
- Yes
- Ignition protection
- Ignition protected
Perko's 8603DP is a heavy duty battery selector switch rated 380 amps continuous, with 850 amps allowed intermittently on a cycle of 5 minutes on and 5 minutes off. It is for systems under 50 volts and for setups with a pair of batteries or more running one or two engines. It includes an alternator field disconnect, which guards the alternator if the switch is accidentally moved to OFF while the engine runs. The terminals are 1/2 inch diameter brass and the housing is red fiber-reinforced polycarbonate.
Our take
The alternator field disconnect is the detail to note: it guards the alternator if the switch is moved to OFF by accident with the engine running. The 380 amp continuous rating, with 850 amps allowed for 5 minutes at a time, sets the load ceiling.
From our buying guide
Perko says its selector switches can be switched between 1, ALL and 2 with the engine running, and that they let you put batteries in parallel for emergency starting. Battle Born advises against that connection with its LiFePO4 batteries.
Check before you buy:
- Its continuous and 5-minute ratings suit your system. Perko rates its medium-duty 8501 at 250 A continuous.
- It has an alternator field disconnect if you need one. Perko says its AFD models protect non-unitized alternators if the switch is turned OFF with the engine running.
- If it's going in a gasoline engine space, the maker lists it as ignition protected.