I bought a used 1992 passage 42 the starter battery is a gel cell and on a separate battery switch. the house batteries are wet cell and in two banks with there own 1-2-both selector switch. I have an inverter/ battery charger that has an equalization function. Reading the instructions it states that one should not equalize a gel cell battery. if I turn the starter battery switch to off will that isolate the gel cell so that I can eqaulize the wet cells or must I disconnect the cables to the starter battery.
- Status
Disconnect is correct.
The AC battery charger is going directly to your batteries. If you think you want to equalize the batteries you MUST disconnect the line from the charger to the batteries. My suggestion is to either get a second battery charger (if you want a mixed environement) or get rid of one of your batteries so you only have one type of battery aboard.
The AC battery charger is going directly to your batteries. If you think you want to equalize the batteries you MUST disconnect the line from the charger to the batteries. My suggestion is to either get a second battery charger (if you want a mixed environement) or get rid of one of your batteries so you only have one type of battery aboard.
equalization
Carisea, In deference to Steve's always valuable opinion, my 410 is wired so if I turn the start battery switch to off, its totally out of any circuit and the house bank can be equalized without disconnecting the start battery cable. However if you can't verify this I'd fiollow Steve's advice. Bryce S/V Spellbinder H410
Carisea, In deference to Steve's always valuable opinion, my 410 is wired so if I turn the start battery switch to off, its totally out of any circuit and the house bank can be equalized without disconnecting the start battery cable. However if you can't verify this I'd fiollow Steve's advice. Bryce S/V Spellbinder H410
Dumb Question
Here's a dumb question (on my part, of course!) What does it mean to "equalize" a battery? --Allen
Here's a dumb question (on my part, of course!) What does it mean to "equalize" a battery? --Allen
Bruce are you sure?
Bruce: Are you sure about the battery switch taking your battery out of the AC charging system? There was just a discussion on this subject over the last month or so. The verdict was that AC charger is totally independent of the battery switch. If I'm wrong that is fine, and I stand corrected.
Bruce: Are you sure about the battery switch taking your battery out of the AC charging system? There was just a discussion on this subject over the last month or so. The verdict was that AC charger is totally independent of the battery switch. If I'm wrong that is fine, and I stand corrected.
Not dumb!
Allen: Equalization is a form of cleaning the plates inside the batteries. "Periodic equalization of your batteries improves battery performance. Equalization is a controlled overcharge cycle that removes residual sulfate from lead battery plates. Over time, battery plates become sulfated. The acid settles and creates a composition that is stronger at the bottom than it is at the of the battery. An equalize charge cycle creates a uniform battery composition, enabling the battery to get as much electricity off the whole plate. Only flooded batteries can be equalized." Courtesy of Xantrex
Allen: Equalization is a form of cleaning the plates inside the batteries. "Periodic equalization of your batteries improves battery performance. Equalization is a controlled overcharge cycle that removes residual sulfate from lead battery plates. Over time, battery plates become sulfated. The acid settles and creates a composition that is stronger at the bottom than it is at the of the battery. An equalize charge cycle creates a uniform battery composition, enabling the battery to get as much electricity off the whole plate. Only flooded batteries can be equalized." Courtesy of Xantrex
Equalizing & Wiring
One of the many responses to this thread included: "Are you sure about the battery switch taking your battery out of the AC charging system? There was just a discussion on this subject over the last month or so. "The verdict was that AC charger is totally independent of the battery switch. If I'm wrong that is fine, and I stand corrected." The "verdict" may be as useful as the OJ Simpson jury's decision. It all depends on how this particular boat was wired. While I agree that the verdict sounds correct, and is reasonable based on how the boat should have been wired (AC into charger, charger output to batteries - DC switch is only on load - DC - output from batteries), I think we've all seen some strange things out there. Having two different types of batteries is "frowned upon," but not all that unusual. The main reason for this is that gel cells require different charging voltage than wet cells. With one charger, you can't get two different output voltages (at least not yet - how many folks have wanted gel cell house banks and wet cell starting batteries?). To equalize the wet cells, it would be prudent to simply disconnect the gel cells from the charger. The output settings on the charger would need to be adjusted. I wonder what it is set on now? Either one of the battery banks are getting either undercharged or overcharged on a regular basis. That said, however, what we don't know is whether or not the original questioner has a combiner, a single or dual or triple output charger, a charger with an echo charge, or any of the information necessary to make an informed decision for him. I would recommend that he personally trace his wires and understand basic battery management as it pertains to his individual situation. As always, Calder's Manual comes to mind, as well as another response who quoted Xantrex, a very reputable charger manufacturer. Another good source is the Ample Power Primer, available online fom Ample Power. Use Google search to find it, download it and read it.
One of the many responses to this thread included: "Are you sure about the battery switch taking your battery out of the AC charging system? There was just a discussion on this subject over the last month or so. "The verdict was that AC charger is totally independent of the battery switch. If I'm wrong that is fine, and I stand corrected." The "verdict" may be as useful as the OJ Simpson jury's decision. It all depends on how this particular boat was wired. While I agree that the verdict sounds correct, and is reasonable based on how the boat should have been wired (AC into charger, charger output to batteries - DC switch is only on load - DC - output from batteries), I think we've all seen some strange things out there. Having two different types of batteries is "frowned upon," but not all that unusual. The main reason for this is that gel cells require different charging voltage than wet cells. With one charger, you can't get two different output voltages (at least not yet - how many folks have wanted gel cell house banks and wet cell starting batteries?). To equalize the wet cells, it would be prudent to simply disconnect the gel cells from the charger. The output settings on the charger would need to be adjusted. I wonder what it is set on now? Either one of the battery banks are getting either undercharged or overcharged on a regular basis. That said, however, what we don't know is whether or not the original questioner has a combiner, a single or dual or triple output charger, a charger with an echo charge, or any of the information necessary to make an informed decision for him. I would recommend that he personally trace his wires and understand basic battery management as it pertains to his individual situation. As always, Calder's Manual comes to mind, as well as another response who quoted Xantrex, a very reputable charger manufacturer. Another good source is the Ample Power Primer, available online fom Ample Power. Use Google search to find it, download it and read it.
thanks to all
All your responses are certainly appreciated and sound very authoritative. Since there does seem to be some debate I guess I will call the boat builder and see what they have to say. The wiring diagram is not very clear and I will try to trace the wiring myself and create a diagram. The inverter/battery charger is a hart-1800 with battery charger including an equalization mode/ float charge /all the bells and whistles. I do agree that I would have preferred all wet cells since the house banks are rolls and very expensive. I would certainly like to maintain them the best I can
All your responses are certainly appreciated and sound very authoritative. Since there does seem to be some debate I guess I will call the boat builder and see what they have to say. The wiring diagram is not very clear and I will try to trace the wiring myself and create a diagram. The inverter/battery charger is a hart-1800 with battery charger including an equalization mode/ float charge /all the bells and whistles. I do agree that I would have preferred all wet cells since the house banks are rolls and very expensive. I would certainly like to maintain them the best I can
Get another charger.
I think you can also get another charger. You could have one charger for the wet cells and one for the AGM/Gel. Then if you would use and Echo Charger in the system, I THINK it can handle the charging from the alternator.
I think you can also get another charger. You could have one charger for the wet cells and one for the AGM/Gel. Then if you would use and Echo Charger in the system, I THINK it can handle the charging from the alternator.
410 start battery
Steve, Yes i'm sure thats how my start battery is wired. With the start switch off, the voltage on the start battery stays around 12.6V regardless of whether the charger is in bulk, absorption or float phase. Bryce S/V spellbinder H410
Steve, Yes i'm sure thats how my start battery is wired. With the start switch off, the voltage on the start battery stays around 12.6V regardless of whether the charger is in bulk, absorption or float phase. Bryce S/V spellbinder H410
- Status