24-12v Charger

Dino

Well-Known Member
Joined
27 Apr 2009
Messages
1,074
Location
Ireland
Visit site
Hi, I have been working my way through the electrics on my latest boat, a Broom 37 Continental. It appears that the 12v bow thruster is fed from one of the batteries in the starboard engine starting bank. This is not a good practice so I want to change it. There is also a very long cable run forward to the thruster.
I'm thinking that the best option might be to put a 110Ah batter in the bow with a short cable run. Then charge it using a 24-12v Converter charger.
Is this the best option? Has anyone got any experience of a converter charger that will do this job? I presume the charging part will have to be smart..
Thanks
 
Is there a specific problem with the thruster you are trying to solve?

All of my boats thrusters have been powered form the main battery bank without issue.

If you fit a forward battery make sure that it vents correctly or you will end up with an explosive mix in the bow ( which is one reason i dont fancy it!)
 
Thanks for the advice. I've heard a lot of reports that say you shouldn't take a 12v feed off one battery in a 24v bank as it will damage the whole bank.
I hadn't considered the gases issue in a sleeping cabin
 
On a 37 ft boat depending on the cables , say 70mm2 you could be seeing a 2+ volt drop at the thruster. I would go with a dedicated 110ah sealed battery at the bow. Run a 240v feed and let it have its own small (ctek) charger.
 
If you fit a forward battery make sure that it vents correctly or you will end up with an explosive mix in the bow ( which is one reason I don't fancy it!)

The bow thruster battery is under the forward cabin in my boat and is factory fitted.
There are many others with this arrangement . No specific provision for ventilation.
I have a sealed type battery which is required for the boat safety certificate.
 
Top