Split charging diode pack

tiempo2010 · Apr 30, 2011

Better to use an ACR or an Echo Charge.

o2n7dcolin · Apr 30, 2011

Use your battery switch in the "both" position to charge both batteries. Colin...

tom_rutter · Apr 30, 2011

The trouble I had with 1/2/both switch is that my gps switched off if I
started the engine. I now have a voltage sensitive relay and it works really
well. I've not tried a split charger.

It depends on how you use the boat. For weekends, its not worth worrying
about the charging rate etc. Spend the money on rigging/sails etc! I lived
aboard off grid for a while and wanted to have a more efficient system.

Tom

mageekenneth · May 1, 2011

xantrex "duo charge"& a battery combiner regulates charge for both house and
sarting witrh digital readout the cost arouns$200usd and is worjt every penny
K.L.Magee

________________________________
From: Tom Rutter tom.rutter@...
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sat, April 30, 2011 9:07:00 PM
Subject: Re: [AlbinVega] Split charging diode pack

The trouble I had with 1/2/both switch is that my gps switched off if I
started the engine. I now have a voltage sensitive relay and it works really
well. I've not tried a split charger.

It depends on how you use the boat. For weekends, its not worth worrying
about the charging rate etc. Spend the money on rigging/sails etc! I lived
aboard off grid for a while and wanted to have a more efficient system.

Tom

tiempo2010 · May 1, 2011

The Duo Charge is a Balmar product. The Echo Charge is a Xantrex product.
They are both followers, applying charge current to the start or auxiliary
battery when it is present at the house bank. They will not overcharge the
start/aux battery. They are not combiners which parallel banks when a
charging voltage is present. They have nothing to do with regulating the
charge for the house battery.

They are both good products.

The EchoCharge supplies up to 15 amps to the start/aux battery. Usually
plenty as a start battery is seldom down 1 or 2 AH.

The more expensive Duo Charge supplies up to 30 amps of current to the
start/aux battery. It has the added benefit that it can be set for different
battery types, for example gel house and flooded start/aux.

tiempo2010 · May 1, 2011

Also, with either the Echo Charge or Duo Charge, all charging from
shorepower charger, alternator, and solar panels or wind gen goes direct to
the house bank. They make charging of both banks automatic. And the
1/2/both/off switch has nothing to do with charging, only use.

tom_rutter · May 2, 2011

I think the 1/2/both switch is normally wired to control charging both
batteries as well as which to use. Certainly was on my boat. Might differ
between boats though. It's the easiest system to install, as it doesn't
involve changing the wiring in the engine to separate the alternator wiring
from the starter wiring.

tiempo2010 · May 2, 2011

Tom

You're right, most boats were wired this way, and sadly some still are.

There are disadvantages to this.
You have to have the switch in "both" to charge all batteries.
If you forget and leave it in "both" you will drain all batteries.
If someone turns it to "off" while the engine is running you will probably
blow diodes in the alternator.
There is one advantage for a builder to wire this way - it is the cheapest
way to charge 2 banks.

The Echo Charge, DuoCharge or ACR and all charging going direct to the house
bank is the common way new boats are wired and the best way as well. It
makes charging automatic without human input required, takes good care of
the batteries making sure they are properly and fully charged, and leaves
the 1/2/both/off switch for use not charging.