I like the idea behind the battery combiners and have read nothing but positive comments about them, but are they necessary with a 3-step charger? If they are, how would the wiring sequence lay out? I will be using one large house bank and a seperate starter battery with two ON-OFF switches and an energency parallel switch. rl
Battery Combiner Used With 3-Step Charger?
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I like the idea behind the battery combiners and have read nothing but positive comments about them, but are they necessary with a 3-step charger? If they are, how would the wiring sequence lay out? I will be using one large house bank and a seperate starter battery with two ON-OFF switches and an energency parallel switch. rl
Batt. Combiners
A Battery Combiner is a relay that automatically combines 2 batteries together (parallel) when either battery is accepting a charge (analogous to a “Both” selection on a manual Selector Switch). It closes when it senses voltages over about 13.3V. The Combiner has 3 Terminals (+1, +2, & Neg), two of which are connected to the Battery Positive Posts, and the third to the Main Ground Bus. Each of the “On-Off” Battery Switches are installed between the Alternator Pos. Output (Starter Pos.) and the Battery Positive Post. An Emergency Battery Parallel Switch (“On-Off”) is often (recommended) connected between the 2 On-Off Switches. Multi-Bank Battery Charger outputs are connected directly to each battery. Single Bank chargers are connected to the house battery bank. In either case, select both Battery Switches to “Off” when utilizing the Charger (engine off). A Three-Step “Smart” Charger varies the charging output voltage according to the (sensed) Battery Voltage, and is switched exactly the same as any other charger. HTH Gord
A Battery Combiner is a relay that automatically combines 2 batteries together (parallel) when either battery is accepting a charge (analogous to a “Both” selection on a manual Selector Switch). It closes when it senses voltages over about 13.3V. The Combiner has 3 Terminals (+1, +2, & Neg), two of which are connected to the Battery Positive Posts, and the third to the Main Ground Bus. Each of the “On-Off” Battery Switches are installed between the Alternator Pos. Output (Starter Pos.) and the Battery Positive Post. An Emergency Battery Parallel Switch (“On-Off”) is often (recommended) connected between the 2 On-Off Switches. Multi-Bank Battery Charger outputs are connected directly to each battery. Single Bank chargers are connected to the house battery bank. In either case, select both Battery Switches to “Off” when utilizing the Charger (engine off). A Three-Step “Smart” Charger varies the charging output voltage according to the (sensed) Battery Voltage, and is switched exactly the same as any other charger. HTH Gord
Batt. Combiners
A Battery Combiner is a relay that automatically combines 2 batteries together (parallel) when either battery is accepting a charge (analogous to a “Both” selection on a manual Selector Switch). It closes when it senses voltages over about 13.3V. The Combiner has 3 Terminals (+1, +2, & Neg), two of which are connected to the Battery Positive Posts, and the third to the Main Ground Bus. Each of the “On-Off” Battery Switches are installed between the Alternator Pos. Output (Starter Pos.) and the Battery Positive Post. An Emergency Battery Parallel Switch (“On-Off”) is often (recommended) connected between the 2 On-Off Switches. Multi-Bank Battery Charger outputs are connected directly to each battery. Single Bank chargers are connected to the house battery bank. In either case, select both Battery Switches to “Off” when utilizing the Charger (engine off). A Three-Step “Smart” Charger varies the charging output voltage according to the (sensed) Battery Voltage, and is switched exactly the same as any other charger. HTH Gord
A Battery Combiner is a relay that automatically combines 2 batteries together (parallel) when either battery is accepting a charge (analogous to a “Both” selection on a manual Selector Switch). It closes when it senses voltages over about 13.3V. The Combiner has 3 Terminals (+1, +2, & Neg), two of which are connected to the Battery Positive Posts, and the third to the Main Ground Bus. Each of the “On-Off” Battery Switches are installed between the Alternator Pos. Output (Starter Pos.) and the Battery Positive Post. An Emergency Battery Parallel Switch (“On-Off”) is often (recommended) connected between the 2 On-Off Switches. Multi-Bank Battery Charger outputs are connected directly to each battery. Single Bank chargers are connected to the house battery bank. In either case, select both Battery Switches to “Off” when utilizing the Charger (engine off). A Three-Step “Smart” Charger varies the charging output voltage according to the (sensed) Battery Voltage, and is switched exactly the same as any other charger. HTH Gord
Battery Combiners
Our Beneteau 321 is setup as you have described with the addition of a Xantrex Pathfinder battery combiner. The major plus for the Pathfinder is that you can modify your battery wiring to isolate each battery bank. The Pathfinder can then be installed to combine both battery banks only in the presence of a charging source. You will never have worry about whether a large house load has drained your starting battery. With the pathfinder manual override, you can always combine battery banks and start your engine from the house bank if your starting battery goes south. (It is essentially a remote operated emergency switch) You can accomplish the same thing by installing an emrgency combiner switch and remembering to dissconnect your starting battery when you kill the engine, but with the Pathfinder (or similar combiners) its automatic-- no worries!
Our Beneteau 321 is setup as you have described with the addition of a Xantrex Pathfinder battery combiner. The major plus for the Pathfinder is that you can modify your battery wiring to isolate each battery bank. The Pathfinder can then be installed to combine both battery banks only in the presence of a charging source. You will never have worry about whether a large house load has drained your starting battery. With the pathfinder manual override, you can always combine battery banks and start your engine from the house bank if your starting battery goes south. (It is essentially a remote operated emergency switch) You can accomplish the same thing by installing an emrgency combiner switch and remembering to dissconnect your starting battery when you kill the engine, but with the Pathfinder (or similar combiners) its automatic-- no worries!
Battery Combiners
Our Beneteau 321 is setup as you have described with the addition of a Xantrex Pathfinder battery combiner. The major plus for the Pathfinder is that you can modify your battery wiring to isolate each battery bank. The Pathfinder can then be installed to combine both battery banks only in the presence of a charging source. You will never have worry about whether a large house load has drained your starting battery. With the pathfinder manual override, you can always combine battery banks and start your engine from the house bank if your starting battery goes south. (It is essentially a remote operated emergency switch) You can accomplish the same thing by installing an emrgency combiner switch and remembering to dissconnect your starting battery when you kill the engine, but with the Pathfinder (or similar combiners) its automatic-- no worries!
Our Beneteau 321 is setup as you have described with the addition of a Xantrex Pathfinder battery combiner. The major plus for the Pathfinder is that you can modify your battery wiring to isolate each battery bank. The Pathfinder can then be installed to combine both battery banks only in the presence of a charging source. You will never have worry about whether a large house load has drained your starting battery. With the pathfinder manual override, you can always combine battery banks and start your engine from the house bank if your starting battery goes south. (It is essentially a remote operated emergency switch) You can accomplish the same thing by installing an emrgency combiner switch and remembering to dissconnect your starting battery when you kill the engine, but with the Pathfinder (or similar combiners) its automatic-- no worries!
PathMaker
YES - The Xantrex “PathMaker” is a battery combiner that automatically connects 2 or 3 battery banks for simultaneous charging and isolates them during discharge. A toggle switch allows the user to manually parallel battery banks for emergency starting power. Like most Xantrex gear, the PathMaker is an excellent device (not cheap @ basic $200 +). “PathMaker” Manual: http://www.xantrex.com/support/docserve.asp?id=92 Gord
YES - The Xantrex “PathMaker” is a battery combiner that automatically connects 2 or 3 battery banks for simultaneous charging and isolates them during discharge. A toggle switch allows the user to manually parallel battery banks for emergency starting power. Like most Xantrex gear, the PathMaker is an excellent device (not cheap @ basic $200 +). “PathMaker” Manual: http://www.xantrex.com/support/docserve.asp?id=92 Gord
PathMaker
YES - The Xantrex “PathMaker” is a battery combiner that automatically connects 2 or 3 battery banks for simultaneous charging and isolates them during discharge. A toggle switch allows the user to manually parallel battery banks for emergency starting power. Like most Xantrex gear, the PathMaker is an excellent device (not cheap @ basic $200 +). “PathMaker” Manual: http://www.xantrex.com/support/docserve.asp?id=92 Gord
YES - The Xantrex “PathMaker” is a battery combiner that automatically connects 2 or 3 battery banks for simultaneous charging and isolates them during discharge. A toggle switch allows the user to manually parallel battery banks for emergency starting power. Like most Xantrex gear, the PathMaker is an excellent device (not cheap @ basic $200 +). “PathMaker” Manual: http://www.xantrex.com/support/docserve.asp?id=92 Gord
Pathfinder Combiner!
As Gord mentioned, the Pathfinder does eliminate the need for an emergency switch. I also have the optional remote display and control for the Pathfinder since I have the unit mounted in a location not easily accessible. You did not mention the type of vessel that you have. Be sure and carefully review your current wiring setup. Some vessels (like our Beneteau 321) require that you make some modification to your wiring plan. On the 321, both battery banks are combined when the individual selector switches are closed. (Don't you love those French engineers.) You will need to do what ever is necessary to ensure that your battery banks are isolated when they are both on (ie: in the BOTH position if you have a three way switch). Then, use the Pathfinder to interconnect the two banks. Hope this helps. If you need additional info, drop me a line at jmcclain@southshorelabs.com Jon
As Gord mentioned, the Pathfinder does eliminate the need for an emergency switch. I also have the optional remote display and control for the Pathfinder since I have the unit mounted in a location not easily accessible. You did not mention the type of vessel that you have. Be sure and carefully review your current wiring setup. Some vessels (like our Beneteau 321) require that you make some modification to your wiring plan. On the 321, both battery banks are combined when the individual selector switches are closed. (Don't you love those French engineers.) You will need to do what ever is necessary to ensure that your battery banks are isolated when they are both on (ie: in the BOTH position if you have a three way switch). Then, use the Pathfinder to interconnect the two banks. Hope this helps. If you need additional info, drop me a line at jmcclain@southshorelabs.com Jon
Pathfinder Combiner!
As Gord mentioned, the Pathfinder does eliminate the need for an emergency switch. I also have the optional remote display and control for the Pathfinder since I have the unit mounted in a location not easily accessible. You did not mention the type of vessel that you have. Be sure and carefully review your current wiring setup. Some vessels (like our Beneteau 321) require that you make some modification to your wiring plan. On the 321, both battery banks are combined when the individual selector switches are closed. (Don't you love those French engineers.) You will need to do what ever is necessary to ensure that your battery banks are isolated when they are both on (ie: in the BOTH position if you have a three way switch). Then, use the Pathfinder to interconnect the two banks. Hope this helps. If you need additional info, drop me a line at jmcclain@southshorelabs.com Jon
As Gord mentioned, the Pathfinder does eliminate the need for an emergency switch. I also have the optional remote display and control for the Pathfinder since I have the unit mounted in a location not easily accessible. You did not mention the type of vessel that you have. Be sure and carefully review your current wiring setup. Some vessels (like our Beneteau 321) require that you make some modification to your wiring plan. On the 321, both battery banks are combined when the individual selector switches are closed. (Don't you love those French engineers.) You will need to do what ever is necessary to ensure that your battery banks are isolated when they are both on (ie: in the BOTH position if you have a three way switch). Then, use the Pathfinder to interconnect the two banks. Hope this helps. If you need additional info, drop me a line at jmcclain@southshorelabs.com Jon
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