Charging probs again

[Sirus]

Could anyone help,I have two battery banks in the boat 1 domestic 1 starter the problem I have is the only one that is charging is the starter I have to charge the other buy connecting a jump lead from the alternator to the battery,I have traced the wire from the alternator and it goes to a connector then on to two amp meters then back to a battery switch 1 2 & both. What I dont understand is if it goes to the switch and this is on both why is it only sending a charge to 1 battery is the switch knackered.
Have looked into Adverc controller but untill this is sorted can't fit one,Also what is a shunt..

 

[steffen]

Hi Sirus,
Have tried to figure out your schematic. From what you give it looks either the switch is knackered or the wiring from the domestic battery to the switch.
Are to two Amp meters in parallel? and for what do you have two??

A shunt is a very, very small resistor. When current flows through it a small voltage drops over the shunt. This voltage can be measured and is a measure for the current in Amps through the shunt. Is better then to have the full current through an Amp meter.

Happy sailings, Steffen

 

[Sirus]

Thanks for the reply,with regards to the amp meter got one inside and one on the flybridge basically it goes alternator to amp meter inside then on to the flybridge then back to the switch then there are two wires to each battery and two wires to the services.If you switch between the batteries it does isolate each battery but why will it only charge one...BUGGER BUGGER BUGGER

 

[Chris_Stannard]

I guess you only have one engine. Usually there is something like a relay in the circuit, which senses that the alternator is running and the parallels the batteries so that both charge. The idea of this is that when the alternator is not running the batteries are kept seperated and, if the domestic batteries are flat, you do not discharge the engine battery into them when you go to start the engine. The engine battery does not require much to charge it.

Chris Stannard

 

[Guest]

Try checking the continuity between the alternator and the relevent battery. Should isolate the problem area. Adverc controller ? superb bit of kit. Fit one tomorrow.

 

[philip_stevens]

I know you say you have two battery banks and a 1/2/both isolator switch.

First question:- Can you start the engine from only the engine battery or will it also start from the domestic battery if the 1/2/both is on the "1" or "2"?

Second question:- after the first is answered.

As for Adverc, also look at Driftgate 2000 at www.dg2k.co.uk
I've had a DG2K charge booster for 5 years with no problems.

regards,
Philip

 

[jfkal]

Set switch to 1&2 measure voltage before running the engine at each battery. Run the engine and test again. If voltage rises on ony one battery the wiring to the one which does not rise is the problem. Check for continuity and any other gadgets such as battery isolators, diodes etc in the path.
If voltage rises on both batteries the one which is not accepting charge goes to the junk yard (oops recycling station) and you buy a new one )

 

[hugh_nightingale]

but why will it only charge one...BUGGER BUGGER BUGGER

Agree with above, sounds like one is buggered.