Proper way to charge 2 batteries with a single outboard??

[walden75]

I have a 96 DT 150, I use a single starting battery, and then I have an accessory battery also, currently they are both completely independant of each other, this is a new outboard to me, and I would hope has enough power to charge 2 batteries. What is the proper way to hook them up? Would a battery switch help? like a Perko or something? Thanks for any help.<br />Brad

 

[Semloh]

Re: Proper way to charge 2 batteries with a single outboard??

Yes, installing a battery selector switch is the proper way. <br />You can do the connection manually. Just don't leave the two batteries connected to each other for long periods of time(days). One will drain the other.

 

[tony_cliffy]

Re: Proper way to charge 2 batteries with a single outboard??

Semloh,<br /><br />Do you mean a manual battery selector switch such that I switch out which battery is conencted to the alternator output of the engine? Or do you mean one of those automatic things that is supposed to sense this for you? I use a lot of juice from my non-starter battery and am wondering how much of a charge I can put back in it if I charge it from the motor during a 15 to 30 minute run between fishing spots.<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[Vitamin Sea]

Re: Proper way to charge 2 batteries with a single outboard??

battery switch works but has to be changed from time to time to charge each battery a battery combiner is a sure shot way its automatic but more expensive

 

[barstow]

Re: Proper way to charge 2 batteries with a single outboard??

All you need is a diode in series with at least one (or both to equalise the charge in the 2)of the batteries. ie: 12V rectified from the motor goes to a busbar, or terminal strip, and a diode to each of the +ve terminals of the batts. That's pretty much all a combiner is. Just get diodes that are power rated above the output of your charging system.<br /><br />Disclaimer - make sure you know what you're doing beforehand...