I have read and think I understand the basics of battery combining. However the previous owner of my 37 seems to have had a unique set up. I'm not sure how to proceed and am hoping for some guidance.
There are 2 batts under the steps, 2 under the sole, 2 under the nav station and 2 in the far aft. There is an isolator and three large cables(4 gauge) from the alternator into the batt box under the steps. 3 smaller wires(number 10) out from the batt box. One large wire out of the batt box to the floor batts, which combines to the batts under the nav station, and to the panel. One large cable to the aft batts. 2 of the smaller wires out of the batt box go to the floor batts.
I have a new 3 bank charger that is located next to the nav station. Will be installing solar panel soon.
So should I have a 'central' charging point in the batt box which has the batts separated, and has input from the alternator, batt charger, and solar?
I'm confused why there would be large cables out and smaller cables. I would assume the smaller would be for charging. But why are there also large cables out. I also assume that his plan was to separate the areas of the boat. Aft being for the cockpit, batt box for starting, and floor and nav for house. Which actually seems good to me. There is one batt switch, so I don't know how you would separate/add the other banks together, or if you would want to.
Opinions and ideas appreciated.
There are 2 batts under the steps, 2 under the sole, 2 under the nav station and 2 in the far aft. There is an isolator and three large cables(4 gauge) from the alternator into the batt box under the steps. 3 smaller wires(number 10) out from the batt box. One large wire out of the batt box to the floor batts, which combines to the batts under the nav station, and to the panel. One large cable to the aft batts. 2 of the smaller wires out of the batt box go to the floor batts.
I have a new 3 bank charger that is located next to the nav station. Will be installing solar panel soon.
So should I have a 'central' charging point in the batt box which has the batts separated, and has input from the alternator, batt charger, and solar?
I'm confused why there would be large cables out and smaller cables. I would assume the smaller would be for charging. But why are there also large cables out. I also assume that his plan was to separate the areas of the boat. Aft being for the cockpit, batt box for starting, and floor and nav for house. Which actually seems good to me. There is one batt switch, so I don't know how you would separate/add the other banks together, or if you would want to.
Opinions and ideas appreciated.