I believe the proper wiring setup is to have the foot switches control a solenoid with low amperage while the solenoid passes the high current to the appropriate motor terminal.  It also eliminates the possibility of passing the power to both terminals simultaneously (ie, pressing both foot switches at same time won’t damage anything).  I recall seeing the wiring diagram somewhere, perhaps in the Maxwell manual.

Tim
C380 #199

Tim++,

Yes, the most “proper” method is to use the solenoid/switch box, not because the high current is switched by a heavy solenoid/relay, but because it avoids the caution you and I mentioned..actuating both up and down simultaneously.  As I also mentioned, I’ve never had this problem in about 12 years of anchoring, at least several times/year.

This could also be accomplished by a separate spdt switch, but unsure if an appropriate one is available.

The solenoid/switch box approach does

Firstly, let me state that in my past I’ve built and flown 3 full size aircraft, built and maintained several race cars…and am still on this planet to talk about it.
I mention this because what I intend to do requires some switch modifications that I have the ability and resources to accomplish.

Not making these mods and using the switch improperly could have serious consequences.

So, as they say, but not in Latin…Buyer be aware.

As stated earlier I went to boat this morning, and as Warren mentioned in his post, the motor will reverse if power is put to the spare terminal. This was easy to test.

Did an Internet search for heavy duty battery switches, and kept coming back to a battery selection switch as we all have in our boats. Stopped at West on way home and for about $40 picked up a Blue Sea m-Series