In my Beneteau 400, I have to turn off the house battery (and turn ON starting) in order to start off the engine. That's because the house battery drains the juice off the starting battery when both switches are ON and the engine will not start. This is inconvenient sometimes because all other instruments (radar, GPS, etc) also get turned off. I am considering installing Balmar's Digital Duo Charge. Does anyone have experience on this? Or do I just need a battery isolator?
Battery isolation
- Thread starter ltinsay
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Batteries and Starting
You haven't described how your boat is wired, only that something doesn't work for you. You should stay away from isolators since they take almost a volt out of charging. Try the link and many other related boat electrical system articles, since you need to start to develop a system approach to your issues. Stu
You haven't described how your boat is wired, only that something doesn't work for you. You should stay away from isolators since they take almost a volt out of charging. Try the link and many other related boat electrical system articles, since you need to start to develop a system approach to your issues. Stu
Battery Charging System
The diagram included with Stu's post is nearly identical to the way our Beneteau OC321, Parrot Tales is configured. (I am still using 2-4Ds until they finally go south on me, when I plan to install 4 Trojans.) Since reconfiguring the electrical system about 1-1/2 years ago, I don't think that I have touched a switch or anything except monitor electrolyte levels. The starting battery is always topped off by the time I get back to slip. The only danger of this setup is that you will become a bit over-confident. If you still have some coins jingling in your pocket when are done, I would recommend the remote panel for the Pathmaker and a Link 10 monitor to watch over the house bank and system, install them so that you can see them from the helm. You will know exactly what is going on. Knowledge is power. Jon
The diagram included with Stu's post is nearly identical to the way our Beneteau OC321, Parrot Tales is configured. (I am still using 2-4Ds until they finally go south on me, when I plan to install 4 Trojans.) Since reconfiguring the electrical system about 1-1/2 years ago, I don't think that I have touched a switch or anything except monitor electrolyte levels. The starting battery is always topped off by the time I get back to slip. The only danger of this setup is that you will become a bit over-confident. If you still have some coins jingling in your pocket when are done, I would recommend the remote panel for the Pathmaker and a Link 10 monitor to watch over the house bank and system, install them so that you can see them from the helm. You will know exactly what is going on. Knowledge is power. Jon
Karl
Don't use a battery isolator...all diodes drop at least one volt across them and you'll never be able to fully recharge you batteries. You'll need to turn up your voltage regulator to compensate for the voltage drop. If what your doing now works, stick with it. You may however, have a bad battery.
Don't use a battery isolator...all diodes drop at least one volt across them and you'll never be able to fully recharge you batteries. You'll need to turn up your voltage regulator to compensate for the voltage drop. If what your doing now works, stick with it. You may however, have a bad battery.
Battery Trouble
Karl may be right about the bad battery, check you house battery or have someone do it for you. It sounds odd you should have to turn the house battery off to start the motor unless under the load of starting the motor the house battery is somehow shorting your starting battery. As for installing the Digital Duo combiner, your boat should already be setup to charge a house and starting battery seperately. In my ben323, the switches are used for selecting which battery to use as the house battery. Also check both batteries under load as they can show fully charged(voltage), yet not have the amperage needed for a heavy load, ex. starting. Any auto place that sells batteries can do a load test, usually for free. Sail on.... Terry
Karl may be right about the bad battery, check you house battery or have someone do it for you. It sounds odd you should have to turn the house battery off to start the motor unless under the load of starting the motor the house battery is somehow shorting your starting battery. As for installing the Digital Duo combiner, your boat should already be setup to charge a house and starting battery seperately. In my ben323, the switches are used for selecting which battery to use as the house battery. Also check both batteries under load as they can show fully charged(voltage), yet not have the amperage needed for a heavy load, ex. starting. Any auto place that sells batteries can do a load test, usually for free. Sail on.... Terry
battery woes
ltinsay; You should have a dedicated engine start battery that you never turn off except when you leave the boat in the slip. To charge from a single source and to isolate the engine start batt from the house batts, install a West Marine combiner.
ltinsay; You should have a dedicated engine start battery that you never turn off except when you leave the boat in the slip. To charge from a single source and to isolate the engine start batt from the house batts, install a West Marine combiner.
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