Unhappy with my 2023 R30 Battery switches...
-
Acercpilot
- Lieutenant

- Posts: 34
- Joined: Mon Feb 20, 2023 9:40 pm
- Location: Leawood, KS
- Contact:
Unhappy with my 2023 R30 Battery switches...
As the title states I have a 2023 R30 that we absolutely love but I am very unhappy with the push button battery switches. I was talking to my dealer the other day and expressing my displeasure and he mentioned the newer Cobalts have gone back to a more conventional switch and are no longer push button. Has anyone swapped out the push button type and gone to a more conventional battery switch? In sunlight you are unable to tell if that little red light ring is illuminated. Thanks for hearing me out.
Hap, wit dakine whine from KC, Maguire
Hap, wit dakine whine from KC, Maguire
Re: Unhappy with my 2023 R30 Battery switches...
I have never seen such switches. Can you post a picture?
2017 R5 350HP Mercruiser Bravo III
Northridge, CA
Big Bear Lake, CA
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Northridge, CA
Big Bear Lake, CA
South Lake Tahoe, CA
- jhnmdahl
- Vice Admiral

- Posts: 2321
- Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2015 5:11 pm
- Location: Twin Cities, MN
- Contact:
Re: Unhappy with my 2023 R30 Battery switches...
The standard has always been the Blue Sea or Perko rotary dial battery switch. I've never seen a push button one either.
Administrator of the www.cobaltchat.com Cobalt boats community forum
2015 210 (Volvo Penta 5.7L V8-225)
2015 210 (Volvo Penta 5.7L V8-225)
-
Acercpilot
- Lieutenant

- Posts: 34
- Joined: Mon Feb 20, 2023 9:40 pm
- Location: Leawood, KS
- Contact:
Re: Unhappy with my 2023 R30 Battery switches...
I won't be near my boat for about 2 weeks. When I do get there I will take some pics to show.
Hap, wit dakine no show from Lake of the Ozarks, Maguire
Hap, wit dakine no show from Lake of the Ozarks, Maguire
Re: Unhappy with my 2023 R30 Battery switches...
2017 R5 350HP Mercruiser Bravo III
Northridge, CA
Big Bear Lake, CA
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Northridge, CA
Big Bear Lake, CA
South Lake Tahoe, CA
-
Acercpilot
- Lieutenant

- Posts: 34
- Joined: Mon Feb 20, 2023 9:40 pm
- Location: Leawood, KS
- Contact:
Re: Unhappy with my 2023 R30 Battery switches...
No, not those. they are polished aluminum or chrome with a ring of red colored light around the part you push in.
Re: Unhappy with my 2023 R30 Battery switches...
If you need a remote battery switched, I would install those Blue Sea ones I posted.Acercpilot wrote: Thu Oct 16, 2025 10:39 am No, not those. they are polished aluminum or chrome with a ring of red colored light around the part you push in.
2017 R5 350HP Mercruiser Bravo III
Northridge, CA
Big Bear Lake, CA
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Northridge, CA
Big Bear Lake, CA
South Lake Tahoe, CA
-
Titaniumboy
- Rear Admiral

- Posts: 646
- Joined: Sun Jul 19, 2020 12:55 am
- Location: California
- Contact:
Re: Unhappy with my 2023 R30 Battery switches...
I think he may be talking about helm switches?
2007 Cobalt 240 with Merc 496 MAG Bravo 3
1977 18’ Beachcraft with Ford 302 V8 OMC 190
Whiskey Slough Marina
Holt, CA
1977 18’ Beachcraft with Ford 302 V8 OMC 190
Whiskey Slough Marina
Holt, CA
Re: Unhappy with my 2023 R30 Battery switches...
Yes...I am thinking the same thing.
2017 R5 350HP Mercruiser Bravo III
Northridge, CA
Big Bear Lake, CA
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Northridge, CA
Big Bear Lake, CA
South Lake Tahoe, CA
-
leanderag82
- Ensign

- Posts: 1
- Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2025 2:55 pm
- Location: Lake Travis
- Contact:
Re: Unhappy with my 2023 R30 Battery switches...
I have a, new to me, 2018 R30. It has the traditional battery switches in a rear port compartment. It also has these helm switches.
Not to derail this thread....My R30 has the battery charging device you plug into shore power. The previous owner stated he left the batteries on all the time. I'm hesitant to leave the helm switches on as it leaves a lot of items powered up all the time. Does anyone know the best practice?
Not to derail this thread....My R30 has the battery charging device you plug into shore power. The previous owner stated he left the batteries on all the time. I'm hesitant to leave the helm switches on as it leaves a lot of items powered up all the time. Does anyone know the best practice?
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
- jhnmdahl
- Vice Admiral

- Posts: 2321
- Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2015 5:11 pm
- Location: Twin Cities, MN
- Contact:
Re: Unhappy with my 2023 R30 Battery switches...
I was unfamiliar with this setup, but it looks like it's covered in pages 3-31 and 3-32 of the owner's manual:
https://cobaltboats.com/art/manuals/2018_R30_OM.pdf
I think as long as you're using the boat I'd leave it how you have it set, but shut them off when docked or moored. The manual explains it better, but maybe others with R30 or similar will chime in.
https://cobaltboats.com/art/manuals/2018_R30_OM.pdf
I think as long as you're using the boat I'd leave it how you have it set, but shut them off when docked or moored. The manual explains it better, but maybe others with R30 or similar will chime in.
Administrator of the www.cobaltchat.com Cobalt boats community forum
2015 210 (Volvo Penta 5.7L V8-225)
2015 210 (Volvo Penta 5.7L V8-225)
Re: Unhappy with my 2023 R30 Battery switches...
.
So glad you found us, ld82.
Can’t help with your R30 question but jmd’s manual link is a great place to start.
And welcome aboard mate.
.
So glad you found us, ld82.
Can’t help with your R30 question but jmd’s manual link is a great place to start.
And welcome aboard mate.
.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
2002 Cobalt 262
&
2005 Cobalt 263
496 MagHO
(sold )
Erie, PA
Currently boatless (for now)
will fly for food
(CChat moderator)
&
2005 Cobalt 263
496 MagHO
(sold )
Erie, PA
Currently boatless (for now)
will fly for food
(CChat moderator)
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest
