I have 2 group 27 deep cycle batteries wired in parallel for a house bank. I do not yet have a separate starting battery, and when I install it, I don't see a real need to monitor it. Can I use the Link 10 to monitor the 2 parallel group 27s (or any size/combination in the house bank) as 1 battery bank? Can I use one side of the Link 20 (Bat 1) to monitor the same 2 parallel group 27s (any size house bank), and save the other side (Bat 2) for a future bank (or starting battery)?
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Your plan is fine
You can use a link 10 to monitor your parallel setup fine. But if you use the 2 batteries independently to run your electrics, like I do (i.e. one powering the stuff now, one as backup when the first gets low), then you'll need a link 20. I bought a link 20 in March to monitor the two group 24's. The link 10 monitors one "bank", which can be one battery alone, or any number wired together in parallel. You need a link 20 to monitor 2 "banks" used independently of each other, like mine.
You can use a link 10 to monitor your parallel setup fine. But if you use the 2 batteries independently to run your electrics, like I do (i.e. one powering the stuff now, one as backup when the first gets low), then you'll need a link 20. I bought a link 20 in March to monitor the two group 24's. The link 10 monitors one "bank", which can be one battery alone, or any number wired together in parallel. You need a link 20 to monitor 2 "banks" used independently of each other, like mine.
Using the Link 10
Gregg We use the Link 10 in the same configuration as you, except we have an independant starting battery that is not monitored, for the given reasons. Just FYI, we are doing it that way and like it.
Gregg We use the Link 10 in the same configuration as you, except we have an independant starting battery that is not monitored, for the given reasons. Just FYI, we are doing it that way and like it.
Link 10
I use a Link 10 to monitor two group 24 batteries in parallel. Since my aux engine is a 9.9 horse with an alternator, I don't need a starting battery. If I mess up and somehow drain the two batteries, I can pull-start the motor and do some charging. It's always worked fine for me, never drained the bank below about 50%. I just bought a new Hunter 260 and will install two group 27s with a Link 10. David Hoch S/V Abundance Las Vegas, NV
I use a Link 10 to monitor two group 24 batteries in parallel. Since my aux engine is a 9.9 horse with an alternator, I don't need a starting battery. If I mess up and somehow drain the two batteries, I can pull-start the motor and do some charging. It's always worked fine for me, never drained the bank below about 50%. I just bought a new Hunter 260 and will install two group 27s with a Link 10. David Hoch S/V Abundance Las Vegas, NV
Low Battery Alarm
HI, Gregg, I have a sailing vessel with two house batteries and one starting battery I was in the search for a low battery alarm Ifound this item on the internet its ( www.batterycellmate.com) I got it and it works out fine now I know when my house batteries are at a low voltage . I had them set the alarm to go off at 11 volts this is a another thought its WWW.BATTERYCELLMATE.COM Frederick Pierce
HI, Gregg, I have a sailing vessel with two house batteries and one starting battery I was in the search for a low battery alarm Ifound this item on the internet its ( www.batterycellmate.com) I got it and it works out fine now I know when my house batteries are at a low voltage . I had them set the alarm to go off at 11 volts this is a another thought its WWW.BATTERYCELLMATE.COM Frederick Pierce
Link 10
Gregg, With the Link 10 installed there's no need to have two house banks. I'd reconmend you combine your two 27's for your house bank and then install a sperate starting battery. The Link 10 will monitor voltage and amp hours on the house bank and monitor voltage only on the starting battery. Voltage only should be sufficent for your starting battery due to the limited amp hour activity. Voltage will give you a rough indicator on how the starting battery is doing. You will want to put some type of switch in place to allow you to combine your house bank with your starting bank should you need to do so to start your engine.
Gregg, With the Link 10 installed there's no need to have two house banks. I'd reconmend you combine your two 27's for your house bank and then install a sperate starting battery. The Link 10 will monitor voltage and amp hours on the house bank and monitor voltage only on the starting battery. Voltage only should be sufficent for your starting battery due to the limited amp hour activity. Voltage will give you a rough indicator on how the starting battery is doing. You will want to put some type of switch in place to allow you to combine your house bank with your starting bank should you need to do so to start your engine.
Link 10 Monitor
You are on the right track. On our 32' sailing vessel, I use two Link 10s. One located at the main panel to monitor the house bank (2-Group 29s). The other Link 10 is mounted in the cockpit at the helm to monitor voltage on the starter bank. Actually I could have simply installed a digital voltmeter as the other Link 10 functions are meaningless on a starter bank, but the price on the second Link 10 was right and it fit an existing cutout. Good Luck!
You are on the right track. On our 32' sailing vessel, I use two Link 10s. One located at the main panel to monitor the house bank (2-Group 29s). The other Link 10 is mounted in the cockpit at the helm to monitor voltage on the starter bank. Actually I could have simply installed a digital voltmeter as the other Link 10 functions are meaningless on a starter bank, but the price on the second Link 10 was right and it fit an existing cutout. Good Luck!
One other benefit...
...of a Link 20 is that, along with providing a voltage reading for your engine start battery, it can be used later if you add an alternate energy source (wind, solar) by showing 'amps in', 'cum amps' and such. Jack
...of a Link 20 is that, along with providing a voltage reading for your engine start battery, it can be used later if you add an alternate energy source (wind, solar) by showing 'amps in', 'cum amps' and such. Jack
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