MINESAPINT2
Well-Known Member
Battery charging advice please
- Thread starter MINESAPINT2
- Start date
PaulRainbow
Well-Known Member
Unless i am mistaken, they are black.
MINESAPINT2
Well-Known Member
Images are of my charger (12v 20 amp 3 outlet) connected to a Sure Power multi battery isolator model 702 and my 3 X 110 amp lead acid batteries (2 banks). I am sure you realised all that. The thin blue and brown wires in the battery box are from a solar panel.
There are 3 terminals on the isolator. The centre is from the alternator and the outer 2 to the battery banks. You will also note there are 2 feeds from the charger connected to the outer terminals on the isolator.
I guess as the charger is 20 amp and has 3 outlets it is 6.66 amps per outlet. The thought occurred to me that the spare outlet on the charger could have been connected to the terminal on the isolator which provides charge to the battery bank with 2 x 110 amp batteries. As it is the single battery is receiving a 6.66 amp charge as is the bank with the 2 x 110 amp batteries.
Anyway the charger is broken (blowing fuses instantly) so needs replacing.
Should I just replicate the current installation with the new charger or is there a better way of doing it. In particular I do think the bigger bank should receive a bigger charge.
Look forward to your wisdom
Thanks
Mike
There are 3 terminals on the isolator. The centre is from the alternator and the outer 2 to the battery banks. You will also note there are 2 feeds from the charger connected to the outer terminals on the isolator.
I guess as the charger is 20 amp and has 3 outlets it is 6.66 amps per outlet. The thought occurred to me that the spare outlet on the charger could have been connected to the terminal on the isolator which provides charge to the battery bank with 2 x 110 amp batteries. As it is the single battery is receiving a 6.66 amp charge as is the bank with the 2 x 110 amp batteries.
Anyway the charger is broken (blowing fuses instantly) so needs replacing.
Should I just replicate the current installation with the new charger or is there a better way of doing it. In particular I do think the bigger bank should receive a bigger charge.
Look forward to your wisdom
Thanks
Mike
PaulRainbow
Well-Known Member
Doesn't work like that, it's a max of 20a on each outlet. Basically, it's a 20a charger with diodes to separate the 3 outlets, in the same way you Sure Power diode "splits" the alternator charge. You could have linked two outlets, it may or may not have made a difference, depends on the charger.
There is nothing wrong with how the existing charger is connected. I'd suggest a Victron charger, like this one: Victron Energy Blue Smart IP22 Charger 12/30(3) 230V UK - BPC123048022
Other suppliers are available.
Last edited:
ithet
Well-Known Member
There seems to be a common misconception that a two or three output charger somehow behaves like two or three separate chargers. They don't, as Paul says they just split the output with diodes. As you have the external diodes you can use the type suggested by Paul (single output) but I think it would need wiring to the centre post?
PaulRainbow
Well-Known Member
My mistake, i meant to link to the 3 output version, i've amended the link.
MINESAPINT2
Well-Known Member
Thank you for replies,
I communicated with a supplier of battery chargers and posed the very same question you have just answered. On a 30 amp 3 outlet charger if I use only 2 outlets do I get 10 or 15 amps per outlet?. The charger in question was the one you suggested which is only available in 1 or 3 outlets. Their answer was 15. Being a cynical old git I was not sure whether they were telling me what I wanted to hear in order to sell me one. I beg their forgiveness.
Although they did point out the Victron Blue Smart 12v 30a 3 outlet charger is recommended for battery banks of max 300 amp.
My banks add up to 330 amp. Would this be a problem?. Of course I realise the boat was built 26 years ago with a 20 amp charger.. May have just stumbled upon the reason why the old Cavalier charger has only lasted 26 years!.
The other thing about the Victron is at IP22 it not as waterproof as for example the Sterling Aquanautic at IP67.
Additionally I do not have a mobile phone so will not be able to use some of the features of the Victron.
Look forward to further advice.
Mike
I communicated with a supplier of battery chargers and posed the very same question you have just answered. On a 30 amp 3 outlet charger if I use only 2 outlets do I get 10 or 15 amps per outlet?. The charger in question was the one you suggested which is only available in 1 or 3 outlets. Their answer was 15. Being a cynical old git I was not sure whether they were telling me what I wanted to hear in order to sell me one. I beg their forgiveness.
Although they did point out the Victron Blue Smart 12v 30a 3 outlet charger is recommended for battery banks of max 300 amp.
My banks add up to 330 amp. Would this be a problem?. Of course I realise the boat was built 26 years ago with a 20 amp charger.. May have just stumbled upon the reason why the old Cavalier charger has only lasted 26 years!.
The other thing about the Victron is at IP22 it not as waterproof as for example the Sterling Aquanautic at IP67.
Additionally I do not have a mobile phone so will not be able to use some of the features of the Victron.
Look forward to further advice.
Mike
lustyd
Well-Known Member
If you need an IP 67 rated charger then I’d suggest sorting out your leaks before your electrics!
PaulRainbow
Well-Known Member
That's nonsense, i already told you the correct answer in post #4
It's not going to be a problem.
The current charger isn't even remotely waterproof and it is mounted in a dry area, why on Earth do you think you need IP67 ? Victron also do IP67 chargers, but that would just be a waste of money.
As for not being able to use the features, they are usable on iOS and Android devices, so a cheap tablet can be used, or don't use them. Not using them won't do any harm, you just lose out on the ability to monitor the charger or to change any of its settings.
