My Beneteau came from the factory (2002) with two 6D batteries, each with an on/off switch. The previous owner wired in a 3rd battery (starting amperage type) in parallel with one of the 6Ds. There is no on/off switch for this battery. He used the same gauge wire as the rest of the battery wiring. He also connected a charge wire from the Heart 2000 inverter charger to the smaller battery. Since this battery can't be isolated from the 6D it is wired to, it really doesn't do me any good...I can't use both 6Ds on anchor and save the smaller battery for starting the engine. I'm thinking about adding another switch between the 3rd battery and it's parrallel 6D so that I can isolate it for starting the Yanmar diesel. Any body got a clue why the previous owner would have done it this way? Any advice on the switch idea? Thanks! Agaliha
3rd battery
- Thread starter agaliha
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The P.O. didnt have a clue
The P.O. didnt have a clue as to what he was doing. With 2 different batteries in parallel, they wont wear down or charge properly. I would put the matching 6D's in parallel for house bateries and use the starting battery as , well, a starting battery. Tony B
The P.O. didnt have a clue as to what he was doing. With 2 different batteries in parallel, they wont wear down or charge properly. I would put the matching 6D's in parallel for house bateries and use the starting battery as , well, a starting battery. Tony B
Quick and easy
Solution and its on sale http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/270541/377%20710/0/battery%20swich/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/0/0?N=377%20710&Ne=0&Ntt=battery%20swich&Ntk=Primary%20Search&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&Nao=0&Ns=0&keyword=battery%20swich&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=5002&subdeptNum=9&classNum=297
Solution and its on sale http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/270541/377%20710/0/battery%20swich/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/0/0?N=377%20710&Ne=0&Ntt=battery%20swich&Ntk=Primary%20Search&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&Nao=0&Ns=0&keyword=battery%20swich&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=5002&subdeptNum=9&classNum=297
Two Banks
Sounds like you actually have two battery banks. There are probably two big red switches and one black (Battery on-off switches). The two batteries that are wired together in parrallel should both be the same type and size (they should be deep-cycle). That is your house bank and they are both controlled by one of the red switches. If two batteries are wired together they are controlled by the same switch. You do not need a separate switch for each battery. The other battery should be a cranking or dual purpose that is used for starting the engine. If when both red switches and the black are turned off (Horizontal position)there should be no power to the switch panel (12 volt switch panel). Turn the battery switches to the off position and then try turning on some cabin lights. If the lights do not turn on then the wiring is correct and all batteries are running through the battery on-off switches. Which model Beneteau is this? Most of the Beneteaus come with two battery banks that each have one battery. Most owners will add the extra battery to the house bank as you have described. My guess is that it is done correctly and you are just thinking that each battery needs it's own switch. You could have 10 batteries all wired in parralel and they would only need one switch for that particular bank. I hope this makes sense. Good luck.
Sounds like you actually have two battery banks. There are probably two big red switches and one black (Battery on-off switches). The two batteries that are wired together in parrallel should both be the same type and size (they should be deep-cycle). That is your house bank and they are both controlled by one of the red switches. If two batteries are wired together they are controlled by the same switch. You do not need a separate switch for each battery. The other battery should be a cranking or dual purpose that is used for starting the engine. If when both red switches and the black are turned off (Horizontal position)there should be no power to the switch panel (12 volt switch panel). Turn the battery switches to the off position and then try turning on some cabin lights. If the lights do not turn on then the wiring is correct and all batteries are running through the battery on-off switches. Which model Beneteau is this? Most of the Beneteaus come with two battery banks that each have one battery. Most owners will add the extra battery to the house bank as you have described. My guess is that it is done correctly and you are just thinking that each battery needs it's own switch. You could have 10 batteries all wired in parralel and they would only need one switch for that particular bank. I hope this makes sense. Good luck.
My Setup
I have a 2007 Hunter 36 that came from the factory with 2-4D's with a switch to isolate each one. I since changed that so that the 2-4D's are in parallel for house and added a separate start battery wired directly to the starter and will be charged by 2000 inverter. The house bank will be charged by the inverter when using shore power or my GEN and the start battery will be charged by the echo charge of the inverter,this is what I did at the end of last year on the hard. Nick
I have a 2007 Hunter 36 that came from the factory with 2-4D's with a switch to isolate each one. I since changed that so that the 2-4D's are in parallel for house and added a separate start battery wired directly to the starter and will be charged by 2000 inverter. The house bank will be charged by the inverter when using shore power or my GEN and the start battery will be charged by the echo charge of the inverter,this is what I did at the end of last year on the hard. Nick
Depends on how you're wired
which only you can determine. Your description indicates that the "third battery" -- seemingly a start battery -- was wired into one of the two 6Ds. If you want a separate start bank, you should parallel the (2) 6Ds into a robust house bank, and have the start battery (bank) separate. How you choose to wire it is your decision, since there are many ways to do this. WM suggests three switches, as does ample Power. WM's description is here, with an ACR: http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/westadvisor/10001/-1/10001/BatteryCombinersRelays.htm WM also suggests the dual circuit switch and newer isolation devices, in another of their advisors. Go to the top fo the WM page under Product Advice, and scroll down to electrical, read the other threads. Or read their catalog. Ample's is in their Ample Power Primer at www.amplepower.com, download and read it. You can also continue to use your existing 1-2-B switch. If you do have one, the alternator output, shown in WM's going to a switch, should go to the house bank instead with a combiner or the newer technology charging the start bank. If you do that, only run a single output from the charger to the house bank and the combiner (or equivalent) will charge the start bank. The 1-2-B switch is then used ONLY for drawing power OUT of the batteries, rather than having the alternator power going to the 1-2-B switch first and then to the house bank. The new dual circuit switch package from WM is essentially a combiner with a glorified 1-2-B switch. Good for you for noting your issue. Your boat, your choice.
which only you can determine. Your description indicates that the "third battery" -- seemingly a start battery -- was wired into one of the two 6Ds. If you want a separate start bank, you should parallel the (2) 6Ds into a robust house bank, and have the start battery (bank) separate. How you choose to wire it is your decision, since there are many ways to do this. WM suggests three switches, as does ample Power. WM's description is here, with an ACR: http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/westadvisor/10001/-1/10001/BatteryCombinersRelays.htm WM also suggests the dual circuit switch and newer isolation devices, in another of their advisors. Go to the top fo the WM page under Product Advice, and scroll down to electrical, read the other threads. Or read their catalog. Ample's is in their Ample Power Primer at www.amplepower.com, download and read it. You can also continue to use your existing 1-2-B switch. If you do have one, the alternator output, shown in WM's going to a switch, should go to the house bank instead with a combiner or the newer technology charging the start bank. If you do that, only run a single output from the charger to the house bank and the combiner (or equivalent) will charge the start bank. The 1-2-B switch is then used ONLY for drawing power OUT of the batteries, rather than having the alternator power going to the 1-2-B switch first and then to the house bank. The new dual circuit switch package from WM is essentially a combiner with a glorified 1-2-B switch. Good for you for noting your issue. Your boat, your choice.
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