Small Engine Start Battery and 1000w Lofrans winch

[RAI]

In what way different, could you please expand on this?
I have used a Red Flash as a starter battery for the last nine years, together with a house bank of ordinary leisure batteries, charged together from the alternator. Have not noticed any problems.

I would guess your alternator just puts out 14.4 volts and maybe your have splitting diodes, that' s a good compromise. But if so, your domestic batteries may end up with sulphation problems.

It's when you use a 3/4 stage charger that the bulk and equalization charges need to be matched to the battery type. My little Odyssey starter battery is on a different connection/charge to the wet celled domestic bank and it's instructions ( and those of the Sterling and Victron chargers) are specific about avoiding gassing/over pressure caused by over voltage. Whereas the wet cell domestic bank, now 11 years old, is going strong and thirsty on a fairly brutal charging regime.

 

[BabaYaga]

I would guess your alternator just puts out 14.4 volts and maybe your have splitting diodes, that' s a good compromise. But if so, your domestic batteries may end up with sulphation problems.

It's when you use a 3/4 stage charger that the bulk and equalization charges need to be matched to the battery type. My little Odyssey starter battery is on a different connection/charge to the wet celled domestic bank and it's instructions ( and those of the Sterling and Victron chargers) are specific about avoiding gassing/over pressure caused by over voltage. Whereas the wet cell domestic bank, now 11 years old, is going strong and thirsty on a fairly brutal charging regime.

Thanks for clarifying, I quite agree it's a bad idea to put over voltage (>14,4 v) to a small AGM battery. But as far as I understand, the OP now intends to use his new starter battery only for engine starting, so the charging of this battery could normally be left to the alternator + Adverc (which will limit voltage at 14,4 v).
If he intends using a mains charger that permits a "brutal charging regime" for his house bank and has a VSR for splitting charge he should be careful, but if this is not the case I think he will be fine.

 

[xeitosaphil]

I am suggesting that the bigger capacity of the house bank may be more appropriate. Sorry if my comment came off as aggressive; it certainly was not the intent.

Not a problem, I was only wondering what point you were making, or if had views on another option, as I had said previously that I was going to include the windlass into the domestic bank.

 

[xeitosaphil]

Thanks for clarifying, I quite agree it's a bad idea to put over voltage (>14,4 v) to a small AGM battery. But as far as I understand, the OP now intends to use his new starter battery only for engine starting, so the charging of this battery could normally be left to the alternator + Adverc (which will limit voltage at 14,4 v).
If he intends using a mains charger that permits a "brutal charging regime" for his house bank and has a VSR for splitting charge he should be careful, but if this is not the case I think he will be fine.

RAI and Baba Yaga,
Thanks for your posts and bringing my attention to the Mains charging side of things.As said the engine charging side of things is taken care of by the Adverc / Alternator / VSR
The mains side will use a Ctek M300 if required, which you can set to normal use ,

Setting NORMAL - Normal setting for wet batteries, maintenance free and for most Gel batteries. ( this is our usual setting for the charger)

There is however a Reconditioning Mode on the charger which I haven’t used which bumps charger up to 16v output for deeply discharged batteries. I’m glad you have mentioned that this will not be suitable for the little Red Flash battery as it is only a small AGM and acid loss will happen.

I do have the option though to isolate the engine battery from the VSR so could do that if wanting to use the recon facility on the domestic Bank.

I also have a M300 / CTEK XS 808 Engine Start Battery charger which was part of the package when purchased together which is suitable for charging all types of 12V lead-acid batteries: open batteries, MF, AGM and most GEL-batteries. Battery sizes from 1.2 to 32Ah. The charger can also maintain batteries up to 100Ah.

This was also permanently wired in when I did my rewire but never actually used so is another charging option for the Red Flash.

I must admit we have only just had the opportunity to use mains where we are moored, but after having the 100w Solar panel, have not found the need for it yet even with the Fridge /freezer running from March this year till last week ( converted cool box so not a large combination about 40Ltrs total)

Not a live aboard but had 4 weeks afloat for the Tall Ships, and several trips away this year.


Charger Manual here - http://www.ctek.com/Archive/ProductManualPdf/M 300 incl. STARTER_EN.pdf

 

[BabaYaga]

I do have the option though to isolate the engine battery from the VSR so could do that if wanting to use the recon facility on the domestic Bank.

You might consider doing this also in normal charger mode if you are hooked up to mains power for prolonged periods e g in order to keep the fridge running. Some chargers don't go down to float if there is big enough drain on the battery (maybe the Ctek does).
The above assumes that the VSR is dual sensing.

 

[xeitosaphil]

You might consider doing this also in normal charger mode if you are hooked up to mains power for prolonged periods e g in order to keep the fridge running. Some chargers don't go down to float if there is big enough drain on the battery (maybe the Ctek does).
The above assumes that the VSR is dual sensing.

Fridge probably turned off for the winter as extended cruising will probably cease now.
Not sure of the cut in voltage re float settings, but fridge only draws 4A max on start up cycle and uses approx. 12-15Ah in any 24hr period when reasonably full. VSR is a Bi directional one, so assume dual sensing.