Isolating batteries in Beneteau switches

[dworob]

I'm currently working on updating my electrical system to accommodate new Odyssey batteries. I've looked at a number of threads that talk about the challenge of isolating the house and reserve batteries, but none that are specific to the Beneteau set-up. I'm looking for help with the following questions:

1) how to "unparallel" the two red +ve switches

2) ensuring that all loads are off the reserve battery

3) using the Nav station volt meter for only monitoring the reserve (have Victron 600 monitor for the house system)

Thanks in advance for any responses and advice.

 

[joker460]

Not sure what you mean by reserve battery.

You have your house and engine batterys and the connection between the two (at the switches) allows the charging of either battery with the alternator. If you disconnect that jumper you can't charge the house battery with the alternator.

If you mean you want to add a reserve battery see attached 373 schematic.

Maybe I'm not reading this correctly

 

[dworob]

Not sure what you mean by reserve battery.

You have your house and engine batterys and the connection between the two (at the switches) allows the charging of either battery with the alternator. If you disconnect that jumper you can't charge the house battery with the alternator.

If you mean you want to add a reserve battery see attached 373 schematic.

Maybe I'm not reading this correctly

I should have been clearer. I'm refering to my "engine" battery. My intent is to have all my charging capacity connected to my house battery bank and an EchoCharge handling the engine (or reserve) battery charging. That's why I want the 2 systems completely isolated from one another. The house bank will be doing all the work.

 

[joker460]

Ok

First schematic shows existing system.
Second shows what you want to do.

Remove the jumper, move the alternator wire over to the House battery.

Attach charger to Engine battery.

This removes some of the flexiblity that the exsisting system has.

Also if the motor is running and the house battery is off the alternator will not be generating any power.

 

[Ron20324]

This question comes up every month or so- most recently on April 17- so the info is there. We who respond always wonder why anyone wants to take apart his switch system and render it less flexible. If you don't want the batteries paralled, just leave the red engine switch OFF. Done. But you retain the ability to start the engine from the house battery if/when the "engine" battery dies just by turning the red engine switch "ON". Simple. Add the ACR if you want, but I wouldn't mess with the factory setup.

 

[Ron M]

I have a B331. An electrical redesign was my winter project. Now I have 2 house batteries (Group 31) and a start battery (Group 27). I changed the ON/OFF handles to be Start / Combine / House. All charging (Shorepower and Alternator) go to the House bank and an EchoCharger charges the Start Battery. I also added a LinkLITE to monitor the system. Tonight I will post a diagram of my system and some notes.

 

[dworob]

That's exactly the set-up I'm looking for. Thanks.

 

[Ron M]

Attached is a diagram of my B331 DC electrical system. Also included is a list of the various changes. I also designed a platform for the second battery. Space was at a premium on my boat. You might not have the same problem. Email me if you would like more information or photos.

 

[joker460]

Maybe I'm missing something but my house and start batteries can be charged from my Xantrex charger and/or from the Alternator.

I can start the motor from the Start battery and/or the house batteries.
I can run the panel from the start battery and/or the house batteries.

All this with the standard Beneteau setup.

What advantage do you gain from the Xantrex Echo Charger

 

[Ron20324]

Maybe I'm missing something but my house and start batteries can be charged from my Xantrex charger and/or from the Alternator. I can start the motor from the Start battery and/or the house batteries. I can run the panel from the start battery and/or the house batteries. All this with the standard Beneteau setup. What advantage do you gain from the Xantrex Echo Charger

I added a third nattery and third switch. I'm with you, Joker, as to why anyone would spend money and end up with a less flexible system. Considering the shore charger has 3 outputs, I don't see the ACR need. I guess it's too much trouble to operate a switch

 

[Bob Mack]

Beneteau 373 Electrical

I'm currently working on updating my electrical system to accommodate new Odyssey batteries. I've looked at a number of threads that talk about the challenge of isolating the house and reserve batteries, but none that are specific to the Beneteau set-up. I'm looking for help with the following questions:

1) how to "unparallel" the two red +ve switches

2) ensuring that all loads are off the reserve battery

3) using the Nav station volt meter for only monitoring the reserve (have Victron 600 monitor for the house system)

Thanks in advance for any responses and advice.

Dworob:

I also have a 373 (2007 #26). Attached is another interpretation of the image attached by Joker 460. It is a rough diagram of my setup modifications when I installed a Xantrex Echo-Charge, along with a new, normally opened, bypass switch and an in line fuse.

I concurrently installed a Balmar ARS-5-H programmable regulator and an Amptech S125Se 125 amp externally controlled alternator. All have worked well.

The blue square is the Echo-Charge. Note the removed tie between the two existing switches and the removed line between the starter and the alternator. I used a standard Beneteau switch for the new tie. The new fuse was a ANL 150A. All new wires were 2/0 battery cable.

 

[Ron M]

It was asked.... "why end up with a less flexible system?" Actually, I believe that my system is more suited to cruising than the original Beneteau system. Now, there are separate switches for "Start" and "House" with a "Combine" switch. Upon boarding the boat I can turn ON both Start and House. Each battery bank provides power for it's designated system, yet they stay electrically separate. Especially, no fear of depleting the Start battery through over use by the House. No requirement to constantly fiddle with the switches to maintain isolation of the Start battery. Additionally, while I'm underway I always have a fully charged start battery ready for a start should the need arise. Lastly, it is electrically possible to parallel Start and Engine with the Combine switch, however, this would likely be only under an emergency situation.