Another 2 bank/isolator but different question.

[elmwood]

Hi all,
Ok I'm completely updating my batteries, charger and switch. I'm adding the Blue Sea 7650 (add a battery) switch, Lifeline AGM Batteries and new charger. The old charger died, I have always killed batteries every year and didn't like the old 1/2 off switch. I have a Four Winns 258 Vista cruiser and enjoy spending time on the boat. The batteries I've added are starting battery and 2 6v 220 amp house batteries. The charger is a Xantrex Truecharge 2 40 amp capable of charging 3 banks. Now for the question. From the way it is stated on the Blue Sea data sheets is that the 7610 (AGR) will combine the two banks for charger purposes but I'm wanting to have the batteries separate for charging (from the electric charger) and only the batteries combined while charging from the alternator. Blue Seas diagram shows only having to connect the charger to one bank and both will charge, hence the combiner. I would like to control the two banks as to which one will and won't be charged while plugged into shore power.

Am I wrong in thinking about separating the two banks for the charger? If it is a good idea then how would I separate the AGR from the system while charging from shore power. Would a disconnect switch for the negative connected to the batteries be the answer? Should only one switch be needed or both batteries have a disconnect and then connect the charger directly to the batteries and not connecting to the positive on the battery switch.

I believe I've read every thread on this board concerning batteries and switches and chargers and could not find one remotely talking about something like this. Tell me if I'm wrong if I am but then the charger would only be needed to be placed on one positive on the switch and that then would charge both banks. In the future I'm planning on putting a battery monitor such as the Xantrex Pro Monitor to manage and keep track of my house bank. I will also be adding as soon as it becomes available the remote panel for the charger.

Thanks for any help,
Eric (elmwood)

 

[flargin]

Re: Another 2 bank/isolator but different question.

I'm wanting to have the batteries separate for charging (from the electric charger) and only the batteries combined while charging from the alternator. Blue Seas diagram shows only having to connect the charger to one bank and both will charge, hence the combiner. I would like to control the two banks as to which one will and won't be charged while plugged into shore power.

Eric,
don't overthink it, the truecharge is a good charger, and it will be ok if the batteries are connected. The AutoConnect Relay will connect them up, but that is not a big deal.

Just let the TrueCharge do what it needs to do, unless there is something else in the picture I don't understand.

If you really want to keep them isolated, then you would have to put a diode in or a switch... way to many parts.

 

[flargin]

Re: Another 2 bank/isolator but different question.

Hi all,


I believe I've read every thread on this board concerning batteries and switches and chargers and could not find one remotely talking about something like this. Tell me if I'm wrong if I am but then the charger would only be needed to be placed on one positive on the switch and that then would charge both banks. In the future I'm planning on putting a battery monitor such as the Xantrex Pro Monitor to manage and keep track of my house bank. I will also be adding as soon as it becomes available the remote panel for the charger.

Thanks for any help,
Eric (elmwood)

To wire it, you would put 1 bank onto your starting battery, and 1 bank onto the positive of the 6volt that is going to the house (that ones negative goes to the postive of the other 6volt) I presume you understand that you would not use the 3rd bank on the other 6v... but I wanted to make sure nobody thought that would work.

 

[elmwood]

Re: Another 2 bank/isolator but different question.

Yes I understand parallel and series connection on batteries. The charger was not decided on because of the 3 bank capability but because of other features of the charger. Thermal shut down of the charger if batteries are too hot via the batter temp sensor, remote panel for ease of charger usage.

What you are stating in your first posting to use a two bank setup for charging. Each battery then would be charged separately. This is one of the questions however. Maybe I didn't make it clear enough. If I place the chargers bank 1 onto the starting battery and the bank 2 to house would then the ACR combine the two batteries?? Or does the Blue Sea 7610 (ACR) only work to connect the two batteries for charging during the alternator charge. The diagram that is shown from Blue Sea shows placing a charger to only one battery with a two bank setup.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Another 2 bank/isolator but different question.

The ACR will connect if either batter is charged. With your 7610 ACR there is a starter disconnect mode you can use to disable the ACR. You may want to use that input hooked up to a switch to allow disconnect during charging.

 

[elmwood]

Re: Another 2 bank/isolator but different question.

After finally getting Blue Seas to say yes that the Xantrex battery charger does not charge a single battery at a time but does charge both batteries at the same time I was pointed to a Tech Bulletin on their web site that I had not seen. Even the TB talks about the Xantrex chargers and recommends placing a relay to your shore power and the negative of the ACR. The relay is normally open so it will allow charging from the alternator but when your battery charger is turned on with AC power the relay trips and closes and turns off the ACR from the battery charger, thus allowing it to do its thing. The relay used is made by Omron part number G4B-112T1-C-US AC120. The relay is sold by a few different suppliers look around they only cost about $10 or less but watch everyone?s shipping and handling charges. Those selling cheaper are charging more in the long run.

elmwood

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Another 2 bank/isolator but different question.

That would work well. Just make sure you are careful mounting that relay. Should be in a panel devoted to AC.