Charging 3 battery banks from a single alternator

[davethedog]

Evening all, Attach files

We are having to repower our boat and the new engine will come with a single 115A alternator as standard. Old engine had 2 alternators (60 amp each), with one feeding the engine start and bow thruster and the other alternator feeding the house bank (via a Mastervolt Alpha 3 smart regulator). The engine start and bow thruster batteries are AGM and the house bank is Gel.

As the engine we are getting installed will be new and with a warranty, I am not sure we can use the Mastervolt Alpha 3 with the new 115A alternator as would void the warranty.

So, what is the best way to charge the 3 battery banks from the single 115A alternator on the new engine? I know a second alternator would be the best idea but over £1000 just for the mounting kit but possibly something for the future.
Am thinking of something like a Victron Argofet?

 

[PaulRainbow]

Evening all, Attach files

We are having to repower our boat and the new engine will come with a single 115A alternator as standard. Old engine had 2 alternators (60 amp each), with one feeding the engine start and bow thruster and the other alternator feeding the house bank (via a Mastervolt Alpha 3 smart regulator). The engine start and bow thruster batteries are AGM and the house bank is Gel.

As the engine we are getting installed will be new and with a warranty, I am not sure we can use the Mastervolt Alpha 3 with the new 115A alternator as would void the warranty.

So, what is the best way to charge the 3 battery banks from the single 115A alternator on the new engine? I know a second alternator would be the best idea but over £1000 just for the mounting kit but possibly something for the future.
Am thinking of something like a Victron Argofet?

That would be my choice Dave.

 

[Refueler]

Why would the Mastervolt void the warranty ? Surely if the installation of charging setup is done correctly - it should be accepted ?

3 outlets ... just commenting ... not suggesting ... but interesting that the Victron Bluesmart Charger I have just fitted to 2 of my boats has 3 outputs on each !!

 

[davethedog]

Why would the Mastervolt void the warranty ? Surely if the installation of charging setup is done correctly - it should be accepted ?

3 outlets ... just commenting ... not suggesting ... but interesting that the Victron Bluesmart Charger I have just fitted to 2 of my boats has 3 outputs on each !!

To use the mastervolt external regulator the alternator will have to be modified and that could void the warranty.

Regarding the 3 outlets, I am only talking about the single alternator charging the battery banks as the mains charger we have is already connected to all the banks (100a mass combi)

 

[Refueler]

To use the mastervolt external regulator the alternator will have to be modified and that could void the warranty.

Regarding the 3 outlets, I am only talking about the single alternator charging the battery banks as the mains charger we have is already connected to all the banks (100a mass combi)

Understood ... was just interested in this whole aspect ...

I'm a terrible person that tries to avoid expensive bits of kit .. usually trying with various relays etc. But I only run old boats !!

 

[PaulRainbow]

To use the mastervolt external regulator the alternator will have to be modified and that could void the warranty.

Regarding the 3 outlets, I am only talking about the single alternator charging the battery banks as the mains charger we have is already connected to all the banks (100a mass combi)

Worse case scenario is that you void the alternator warranty. Why not email the engine supplier, they should be fine with the simple mods needed, but get it in writing. Fit the Argofet anyway.

 

[davethedog]

Once we have the new engine fitted and see what the total cost will be may well look at getting the new alternator modified and use the alpha 3 . But that can wait for a few reasons:

1. No idea how much the engine swap is going to cost in total as will be unseen extras needed.
2. Time is against us as we were meant to be on way to the canary islands now.

Once the new engine is in will get an argofet to share the alternator output, even if an interim solution , as ideally would like a second alternator as better for the gel house bank to have a different charge profile but that can wait!