Moonbeam
Active member
I have recently purchased a Bison 68 that I'm currently using with an old 12v 70Ah lead acid starter battery. But, I'm considering buying a 12v 100Ah LiFePO4 battery to use instead. But either way, I need to be able to charge the 12V battery on board when away from shore power as most time is spent at anchor for several days at a time.
I have a CTEK MXS 5 amp mains powered battery charger that I had hoped would work off my humble Maplins 150w inverter. But it does not (Inverter alarm goes off). So... I'm now in need of a decent charging solution.
The boat set up is 2 x Varta LFD 140 (280Ah total) 12V house bank that, when anchored, is charged via a single 260 watt solar panel via a Victron smart MPPT 100/20 charger. The main demands from that battery bank are a 110 litre 12V fridge running 24/7 plus other minor demands like fresh water pump, electric toilet, etc. By the morning the house battery bank is down to about 91% according the the Victron BMV-700. The solar usually has it back to 98% by about midday and in float/100% by about 2pm, but can be later if weather is dull or panel in shade etc.
What are my best options? From my research, they seem to be
1: A larger inverter (size?) to use mains chargers.
2: DC to DC battery charger, like an Victron Orion 12/12 18?
3: Some kind of switch to channel the Victron Smart solar charger to divert charging to another battery?
4: Something I've not thought of...
Considerations are: Keep costs low, and the trolling battery to be charged will need to sit in a removable and accessible location, being plugged in and out of the charging system easily (harness with Anderson plugs?)
The Victron Orion seems designed to work from the alternator/start battery set up rather than just a house battery bank to another battery. Is the Orion feasible?
Do I even have enough capacity in the house bank for this whole idea? Or do I need to get my dreaded petrol outboard up and running again!
Would love an epropulsion, but too pricey.
I have a CTEK MXS 5 amp mains powered battery charger that I had hoped would work off my humble Maplins 150w inverter. But it does not (Inverter alarm goes off). So... I'm now in need of a decent charging solution.
The boat set up is 2 x Varta LFD 140 (280Ah total) 12V house bank that, when anchored, is charged via a single 260 watt solar panel via a Victron smart MPPT 100/20 charger. The main demands from that battery bank are a 110 litre 12V fridge running 24/7 plus other minor demands like fresh water pump, electric toilet, etc. By the morning the house battery bank is down to about 91% according the the Victron BMV-700. The solar usually has it back to 98% by about midday and in float/100% by about 2pm, but can be later if weather is dull or panel in shade etc.
What are my best options? From my research, they seem to be
1: A larger inverter (size?) to use mains chargers.
2: DC to DC battery charger, like an Victron Orion 12/12 18?
3: Some kind of switch to channel the Victron Smart solar charger to divert charging to another battery?
4: Something I've not thought of...
Considerations are: Keep costs low, and the trolling battery to be charged will need to sit in a removable and accessible location, being plugged in and out of the charging system easily (harness with Anderson plugs?)
The Victron Orion seems designed to work from the alternator/start battery set up rather than just a house battery bank to another battery. Is the Orion feasible?
Do I even have enough capacity in the house bank for this whole idea? Or do I need to get my dreaded petrol outboard up and running again!
Would love an epropulsion, but too pricey.