Another Wiring Diagram-Feedback Please

[woodster]

i have installed 3 of theses in the last year and i put them on the 1-both-2 switch...they all had #2 wire going from the switch to both batteries and so far there hasn't been any problems that i have found...i think as long as you hook it up to large cables you will not loose anything in the charging feater....

regards

woody


ps if i am doing this wrong...... i feel sure that some will help me correct it .....

 

[Solstice]

Hi -

I have been reading Maine Sail's musings on battery switches, etc. and am going to install a Xantrex Echo charger on my H36.

I want to clarify something about the physical location of the echo charger.

The Xantrex manual says it comes with 2' connectors, and to locate the unit as close as possible to both the house bank and starting bank.

On my H36, the house bank (4 T-105's) is in the lazarette, while the starter battery is below the aft cabin berth, behind the engine.......these are clearly not within 2' of each other.

So the question is - what is more important for the echo charger to be closest to - the house bank, or the starting battery ?

And - what if I locate the Echo unit in the salon settee with the inverter and shore charger - which is about 10-12 cable-feet from both the house bank and the starting battery ?

The Xantrex Manual is not exactly the best document I have ever read thru !

Thanks in advance for answering yet another (in a zillion) post about charging and switches !

Paul

Paul,

Ideally the unit should go as close to the house Bank as possible. You can extend the wires as long as you need. Although Xantrex suggests using 12 AWG, you may want to go up a size or two if your round trip length is any more than 8-10 feet. Also remember that for the EC to work properly, ALL charging sources must be sent to your house bank. This typically means Alternator and removing shore power leg from starting battery.

 

[Bob S]

I did the same as Woody four years ago with no problems

 

[PKFK]

Thanks a lot guys for the info. That simplifies things for me somewhat.

Cheers,

Paul

 

[Maine Sail]

I did the same as Woody four years ago with no problems

The nice thing about an Echo Charger or Duo Charger is that they can often be fitted directly behind a battery switch thus picking up the large gauge battery wiring. ACR's can too but often with the large gauge wiring you lack the room on the battery switch studs for the larger cables..


If you have a battery monitor just be sure the neg for the Echo is on the load side of the house bank shunt.

 

[woodster]

If you have a battery monitor just be sure the neg for the Echo is on the load side of the house bank shunt.

thanks for the tip...i have been lucky on all three as none had a monitor but i will be using one on my boat come panel wiring time in the near futer....

regards

woody