1,2 Both switch and Mastervolt Batterymate

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RobBrown

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I am in process of purchasing a secondhand Mastervolt Batterymate, which is a reduced voltage drop battery isolator plus extra functions. I had assumed I could then take the old 1,2,B switch out of the circuit but having a more detailed look at the design, I am not sure that is so. I can't see how it would allow the circuits to be completely turned off without retaining the switch.

Has anyone fitted one of these devices or can otherwise give some advice on the wiring set up? Also have a two battery smart charger currently with sets of leads to both banks, but only one connector into the Batterymate unit, for both alternator & charger. Added puzzlement!:confused:
 
You appear to be confused by different Mastervolt devices


Battery Mates
The Battery Mate is the ultimate solution for charging several batteries simultaneously and is compatible with any type of alternator/battery charger, in both existing and new systems. As the voltage loss between the alternator and battery is negligible, the Battery Mate performs far better than conventional battery isolators. This ensures fast and complete charging of your batteries without having to make additional adjustments to the alternator.

While Battery Isolators are conventional diode splitters, the Battery Mate's technology is electronic and includes mosfets (transistors). Its components compensate for variations in voltage and ensure that charging continues at the right voltage level, even with several battery banks. The input side on the Battery Mate is connected to the alternator and/or battery charger, while two batteries are connected to the output side. The Battery Mate is easy to install on a DIN rail (industry standard).The Mastervolt battery mate can be used in any application even if the standard alternator need external excitation or voltage sensing. In this case the additional IG contact can be connected.​


Battery isolators
Many on board installations consist of two or more batteries which supply power to 12 or 24V equipment separately from each other. Naturally, this means that the charge system also has to be divided. This makes a charger system more complicated because either the Mastervolt alternator or battery charger will have to recharge the batteries individually.

Best and safest results can be achieved by using a high-quality Mastervolt battery isolator for the tailored supply of charge current to several batteries. This reliable solution allows simultaneous charging of two batteries from an alternator and/or battery charger without connecting the batteries together. Because of this the charge current becomes isolated, meaning it is prevented starter batteries and the ones supplying the lightning and bowthruster drain each other while output is optimal.

At the same time dangerous situations are avoided. The distribution of the charge current takes place with minimum energy loss. The design of the equipment and the applied technology guarantee you optimum safety and extremely reliable operation, even under the most difficult conditions. You can also use the electronic Battery Mate which has minimal voltage drop.

​

Battery Watch
The Battery Watch is an essential part of any well-equipped battery system, offering you an electronic 600-gram watch dog that ensures a much longer life-span for your batteries. The unit monitors the optimum condition of your batteries and can also be used as a main battery isolation switch.

This appliance consists of a high current electronic switch capable of switching loads of up to 150 amps. If the battery voltage drops below a previously set value (the on and off values are set by easy to use DIP switches), the load is disconnected automatically. When any of these set points are reached a warning LED will light up in addition to an audible alarm. In this way it is prevented a service and/or starter battery being discharged below a user adjustable preset voltage. Remote monitoring and operation is possible if the Battery Watch is linked to the main panel.

The unit has an in-built hysteresis to allow for a short-term voltage drop caused by switching on a heavy load. The Battery Watch has an extremely low current drain of only 4mA in off mode and 5mA in on mode. A remote switch can also be wired enabling the unit to function as a battery isolator. The Battery Watch is easy to install on a DIN rail (industry standard).​

You should be able to find the aboive and download manuals from the Mastervolt website although it all seems a bit temperamental :(
 
Assuming you want to end up with a dedicated engine starting battery which can't accidentally be discharged, and a system which automatically charges both batteries, your ideal set-up would be:-

* Wire the engine start battery through a simple on/off switch to the engine circuit.

* Wire the domestic battery/batteries through a simple on/off switch to the domestic circuits.

* Wire the output from the alternator to the BatteryMate; wire separate leads from the output terminals of the BatteryMate to the start and domestic batteries.

* Wire the 2 outputs from the mains charger to the start and domestic batteries. (If it has 2 isolated outputs, you might as well wire them direct to the batteries rather than through the BatteryMate).

* Remove the 1/2/Both switch.

* You should size the cables appropriately, and fuse them at the battery end.
 
Yes spot on pvb. I have a single 660 CCA FLA start battery conventionally designated on Switch posn 1, with two paralleled 110 Leisure FLAs on 2 as the house bank. The start battery is a recent replacement for an old failing Leisure 110 and my fear was the danger of pulling the house bank down if switch left on Both for any length of time (which some times happens!). Having a new start battery, the Batterymate seemed a good opportunity to prevent that happening in the future. The improved alternator charging regime was really an unexpected bonus.

Obviously have some of your suggested set up in place currently, as the mains battery charger is already wired separately directly to the two battery banks, so I can just leave this as is- it was just that, as in the extract posted by VicS, both the alternator and charger are identified as being connected to the Batterymate and through only one terminal. It looks then as if I can't retain the 1,2 Both switch just to use as a simple on/off, but need to replace it with 2 separate switches.
 
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It is an improvement in as much as it will automatically charge both banks, and do so without the risks associated with using a 1,2,both type of switch.
It all but removes the chance of accidentally switching both off while the engine is running and toasting the alternator diodes. Likewise removes the chance of accidentally leaving both banks paralleled.
All the merits of a spilt diode charging system without the voltage drop!

Unfortunately none of the benefits of any advanced alternator/charging management system.
 
Thanks for your comments chaps. A pity no real charging improvement, but I had not really expected that initially- as per my original post, I took it to be essentially a low voltage loss isolator, a step from a simple split charger.

However reading comments in the Mastervolt info such as .. "The Battery Mate ensures that the batteries are quickly and fully charged without requiring adjustment of the alternator. With this system you can keep the standard alternator while improving the charge process dramatically" ... lead me to think it offered rather more than my inital expectation. I vaguely wondered if it might (somehow!) get round the problem with older style (battery sensed?) automotive alternators.(Mine is an old C.50A Paris Rhone on a Bukh 20). It sounds as if the advertising blurb was being a bit "economical with the verite"!

I need to get two isolator switches for my new set up- any recommendations, particularly if any come with a combiner for emergencies?
 
I need to get two isolator switches for my new set up- any recommendations, particularly if any come with a combiner for emergencies?
Click to expand...
A suggestion rather than a recommendation but take a look at what Merlin Powerstore have to offer.

http://www.power-store.com/?id=53

You'll find some neat packages of isolator switches with VSR there too. Might do you better that the Mastervolt thingy
 
RobBrown said:
However reading comments in the Mastervolt info such as .. "The Battery Mate ensures that the batteries are quickly and fully charged without requiring adjustment of the alternator. With this system you can keep the standard alternator while improving the charge process dramatically" ... lead me to think it offered rather more than my inital expectation.
Click to expand...

Although it doesn't specifically say so, the Mastervolt info implies a comparison with ordinary diode splitters, which create a voltage drop, and therefore reduce charging performance. By avoiding a voltage drop, the Mastervolt achieves better performance than using a diode splitter.
 
I've always added the necessary field connection to my alternators so that I could control the charge current manually. Getting older and lazier I just recently installed a STIRLING 'smart' regulator. I have to say that it does a splendid job, dropping to float charge just about as the domestic battery bank nears full charge. Just make sure your electronics don't mind 14.8v and that you keep an eye on battery electrolyte level!

I still use a 1-2-Both to add the dedicated starter battery in parallel after the charge has dropped to the float level (13.8v) to maintain it. Maybe I'll diode connect it with a silicon diode which should achieve a suitable charge regime......just in case I become forgetful!

Vic
 
I have already purchased the Batterymate, so I will try to make the best of this system and this will use up the funds pro-tem- an alternator regulator will have to wait a while, tho I too liked the look and overalll price of the Sterling smart regulator, tho in the end baulked at buying one because of the need to get at the alternator windings and the Sterling Alternator/Battery charger was too rich for my blood!

I have had a look at the Merlin site and have come across this double pole switch with emergency parallel & wonder if it would be suitable?

http://www.power-store.com/view-item.asp?itemid=671&id=110&

-the attraction being that I could probably site it where the current 1,2,B switch is and with only one switch covering both banks, making the fitting that much easier- a significant issue for an electrics duffer
 
That looks like a reasonable way forward. Bluesea is, I beleive, a good brand .

An advantage that separate switches would have, over this and an your present 1,2 both switch, is that they would enable you to switch the domestics and the engine electrics quite independently. Useful when doing engine maintenance, for example, to have your domestic systems usable but the engine electrics isolated
 
I think I shall go for a single switch, tho I understand the extra flexibilty that 2 separate ones would give. Again thanks to all for your input.

Rob
 
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