I needed a new battery charger and from previous wisdom supplied on this forum, I selected a Xantrex Truecharge 10TB. Thanks to all who provided input. I bought a Catalina Capri 26 that had an existing (inoperable) charger that was wired (presumably) from the factory. The DC side was wired from the charger to the battery selector switch (the boat has 2 group 24 deep cycle wet batteries). I just unhooked the old charger, located a better spot for the new one and connected the DC and AC sides (used the existing wires...all propely sized). The Xantrex owners manual says "Caution - battery connections must be made direct to the battery (or battery fuses if installed) and must never be made to a DC distribution panel or to a battery isolator or similar device." Now my questions - 1.) is a battery selector switch the same as a battery isolater? 2.) Is the exisitng wiring to the selector switch proper? 3.) to charge the batteries do I put the selector switch on "both" to charge? Your answers are appreciated.
Battery charger installation
- Thread starter Stephen K
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you can wire the charger
directly to the house battery because thats the one that normally needs to be recharged. If you want to charge both batteries you can put the selector switch on "both" and that will connect the start and house banks together. What you don't want to do is run the charger without a battery connected, which is what could happen wiring it thru the selector switch. The reason they don't want you to wire thru an isolator is that the diodes in an isolater block current flow from the individual battery(s) back to the common terminal. the charger would never read the battery voltage that way. The trucharge is a smart charger and needs to read actual battery voltage before it will charge.
directly to the house battery because thats the one that normally needs to be recharged. If you want to charge both batteries you can put the selector switch on "both" and that will connect the start and house banks together. What you don't want to do is run the charger without a battery connected, which is what could happen wiring it thru the selector switch. The reason they don't want you to wire thru an isolator is that the diodes in an isolater block current flow from the individual battery(s) back to the common terminal. the charger would never read the battery voltage that way. The trucharge is a smart charger and needs to read actual battery voltage before it will charge.
I have a two bank
charger that is able to charge at 10 amps saturate at 2 amps and then float the batteries. I don't recall the name but I bought it from West about eight years ago on the strength of the report in practical sailor.
charger that is able to charge at 10 amps saturate at 2 amps and then float the batteries. I don't recall the name but I bought it from West about eight years ago on the strength of the report in practical sailor.
Do not use the battery selector switch
Stephen: Do not wire your charger through the selector switch. This switch is supposed to be used for battery control when you are off shore power. I see that there could be a problem if you turn on the charger and have the battery selector set to OFF! I do not know about your model but the Statepower 20 & 40 monitor your battery condition and adjust the charging pattern accordingly.
Stephen: Do not wire your charger through the selector switch. This switch is supposed to be used for battery control when you are off shore power. I see that there could be a problem if you turn on the charger and have the battery selector set to OFF! I do not know about your model but the Statepower 20 & 40 monitor your battery condition and adjust the charging pattern accordingly.
Thanks Steve
That makes sense. My initial post / question was too lengthy. In shorter terms, the Xantrex unit has 2 DC positives...question is can I leave them connected to the battery selector switch (as done at the factory) or should I move them directly to each battery?
That makes sense. My initial post / question was too lengthy. In shorter terms, the Xantrex unit has 2 DC positives...question is can I leave them connected to the battery selector switch (as done at the factory) or should I move them directly to each battery?
Read up on the topic first!!!
Here is an excellent place to learn all about batteries / chargers / battery selector switches etc.
Here is an excellent place to learn all about batteries / chargers / battery selector switches etc.
Go directly to the batteries.
Stephen: I would go directly to the batteries as recommended by Xantrex. They make some of the best low end chargers on the market. There is no reason not to hook directly to the batteries. Besides you will have a better hookup and will not void your warranty. Why would anyone what to hook up through the battery switch?
Stephen: I would go directly to the batteries as recommended by Xantrex. They make some of the best low end chargers on the market. There is no reason not to hook directly to the batteries. Besides you will have a better hookup and will not void your warranty. Why would anyone what to hook up through the battery switch?
Charger connects directly to battery.
To answer you question specifically. 1.. NO, the battery selector switch is not the same as an isolator. A selector switch directs current. An isolator is like a one-way valve that prevents a stronger battery discharging to a weaker one on the same circuit. 2..NO, the existing wiring is not proper for your new unit. Follow the manufacturer's directions explicitly. Don't assume that the previous setup was correct. 3.. NO...NO...NO... do not use the battery selector switch to control the charging process.... the new unit will control all of that automatically... Turn the charger on or off from the AC side (I have a circuit breaker for that)...not on the DC side. Here's a picture of my set up, it's pretty self explanatory. AC enters on lower right from circuit breaker, 12 volt exits on lower left directly to batteries. The mini-controller was disconnected when I put in the smart charger. My system, with two - four position switches, one for house, one for motor, allows more options between batteries 1 and 2. There's some good info in the west marine advisor.... catalogue or online.
To answer you question specifically. 1.. NO, the battery selector switch is not the same as an isolator. A selector switch directs current. An isolator is like a one-way valve that prevents a stronger battery discharging to a weaker one on the same circuit. 2..NO, the existing wiring is not proper for your new unit. Follow the manufacturer's directions explicitly. Don't assume that the previous setup was correct. 3.. NO...NO...NO... do not use the battery selector switch to control the charging process.... the new unit will control all of that automatically... Turn the charger on or off from the AC side (I have a circuit breaker for that)...not on the DC side. Here's a picture of my set up, it's pretty self explanatory. AC enters on lower right from circuit breaker, 12 volt exits on lower left directly to batteries. The mini-controller was disconnected when I put in the smart charger. My system, with two - four position switches, one for house, one for motor, allows more options between batteries 1 and 2. There's some good info in the west marine advisor.... catalogue or online.
Battery Charger Setup
All good advice. I'd add the caution that the Xantrex Truecharge DC side must be protected with fuses. I believe my Xantrex 20 is the same as the 10 amp unit except it charges two batteries at once. As I recall, the line leading to the battery requires a fuse. Check your instructions. Here's a simple diagram of my setup: http://kobernus.com/hunter260/electric1/target1.html More at this link: http://kobernus.com/hunter260/electric1/electric1.html
All good advice. I'd add the caution that the Xantrex Truecharge DC side must be protected with fuses. I believe my Xantrex 20 is the same as the 10 amp unit except it charges two batteries at once. As I recall, the line leading to the battery requires a fuse. Check your instructions. Here's a simple diagram of my setup: http://kobernus.com/hunter260/electric1/target1.html More at this link: http://kobernus.com/hunter260/electric1/electric1.html
Just think In
Stephen The charger puts juice INTO the batteries. Connect the charger to the batteries. The switch directs how power comes OUT of the batteries, i.e., it selects which battery is used to provide power to your DC loads. Other advice above is all very good. Stu
Stephen The charger puts juice INTO the batteries. Connect the charger to the batteries. The switch directs how power comes OUT of the batteries, i.e., it selects which battery is used to provide power to your DC loads. Other advice above is all very good. Stu
good information
that makes this a lot clearer. Thank you Stu, Goerge, Joe and Steve...I guess I know where my time will be spent this weekend. George, you are correct that Xantrex recommends using a DC fuse on the positive side of each battery.
that makes this a lot clearer. Thank you Stu, Goerge, Joe and Steve...I guess I know where my time will be spent this weekend. George, you are correct that Xantrex recommends using a DC fuse on the positive side of each battery.
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