My s-2 8.5 meter has 2 agm 79 amp group 24 batteries and a yanmar 2gm engine, with a gantz 6 watt solar panel connected to each. If I add a third battery in parallel will I need to change the alternator? The third battery will also have its own solar panel. thanks, Tuner
add a third agm battery
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The alternator doesn't care how many batteries it charges. The only difference will be the charge rate, I.e., how long it takes to charge them
The problem is the new battery will not be the same age as the older batteries. So it's charging rate and at rest state maybe not the same as the older ones even though it is the same size and make.tuner said:
Here is an example .... I have two large 8 year old optima house banks. Last year the ground post connection failed on battery charger. I had left boat unattended for almost 3 weeks. My 12 volt freezer along with a few other loads depleted bank 2 down to about 3 volts. Once I repaired the circuit board ground . I followed the optima factory recommendations for bringing back a depleted bank. Bank 2 is now working fine and with in normal specs. But does not quite match number one bank now even though all optima batteries are of the same age size and amp hour ratings....Bank 2 now has a slightly different charging and at rest state then bank 1.....the deference is only slight so I can still combine them but only for a week end cruise or such. But never completely join the two battery banks together permanently ..... Not with out hurting the now slightly better bank.
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