Split charging system

[fionn1432]

Hi all I was wondering is there any such thing in charging a lesuire battery from the outboard engine. Like a campervan split charging system

Thanks

 

[B27]

Depends on the outboard engine.
Old small outboard with a 'lighting coil' is quite different from a big modern electric start outboard.

In principle the answer is yes though.

A lot of small outboards have fairly low power alternators, and as people don't tend to motor for hours on end, there isn't much energy to be harvested. You might do better with solar or a lithium power bank you charge at home.

 

[wonkywinch]

I am new to solar panels but impressed with a Renology 200W folding panel and Victron 75/15 MPPT controller that can top up my house batteries for a budget under £300 inc cables.

First attempt saw it pushing 10A into the batteries with the panel pointing at late afternoon sun in the Hamble.

SmartSolar MPPT 75/10, 75/15, 100/15 & 100/20 - Victron Energy

Renogy 200W Portable Solar Panel

 

[noelex]

It can be done even with some relatively small outboards. Our first yacht had a two stroke 8 hp outboard. Adding a simple bridge rectifier we were able to extract a useful amount of electrical energy to charge our house battery.

However, this was before solar panels. These days the energy we used when cruising would be considered laughable, so "useful" has to seen in this context.

It sounds like you have a larger outboard with electric start. It will already have a means of charging a start battery so it should be easy to split this charge (for example using a VSR, or DC to DC charger), but I have never personally done this.

 

[fionn1432]

It can be done even with some relatively small outboards. Our first yacht had a two stroke 8 hp outboard. Adding a simple bridge rectifier we were able to extract a useful amount of electrical energy to charge our house battery.

However, this was before solar panels. These days the energy we used when cruising would be considered laughable, so "useful" has to seen in this context.

It sounds like you have a larger outboard with electric start. It will already have a means of charging a start battery so it should be easy to split this charge (for example using a VSR, or DC to DC charger), but I have never personally done this.

Thank you

 

[fionn1432]

It can be done even with some relatively small outboards. Our first yacht had a two stroke 8 hp outboard. Adding a simple bridge rectifier we were able to extract a useful amount of electrical energy to charge our house battery.

However, this was before solar panels. These days the energy we used when cruising would be considered laughable, so "useful" has to seen in this context.

It sounds like you have a larger outboard with electric start. It will already have a means of charging a start battery so it should be easy to split this charge (for example using a VSR, or DC to DC charger), but I have never personally done this.

Thank you

Depends on the outboard engine.
Old small outboard with a 'lighting coil' is quite different from a big modern electric start outboard.

In principle the answer is yes though.

A lot of small outboards have fairly low power alternators, and as people don't tend to motor for hours on end, there isn't much energy to be harvested. You might do better with solar or a lithium power bank you charge at home.

Thank you

 

[fionn1432]

Depends on the outboard engine.
Old small outboard with a 'lighting coil' is quite different from a big modern electric start outboard.

In principle the answer is yes though.

A lot of small outboards have fairly low power alternators, and as people don't tend to motor for hours on end, there isn't much energy to be harvested. You might do better with solar or a lithium power bank you charge at home.

Thank you

 

[William_H]

One would presume if you have a split 2 battery system then you rely on electric start for out board. Hence you have a decent battery charging outboard engine. So a voltage sensing relay would be ideal to connect the o/b charger to domestic battery when start battery has been topped up. Or just use a switch to parallel both battery systems when charging.
As said older o/bs with "lighting " coil can provide a little charge. The recifier block can be replaced with schotky diodes which have a lower inherent volt drop so can give more charge. Make a 4 diode bridge with AC in and dc out. It would be simple then to wire in 2 extra diodes for isolated battery cahrging. (though highly unlikely to be needed. ol'will

 

[[199490]]

I am new to solar panels but impressed with a Renology 200W folding panel and Victron 75/15 MPPT controller that can top up my house batteries for a budget under £300 inc cables.

First attempt saw it pushing 10A into the batteries with the panel pointing at late afternoon sun in the Hamble.

SmartSolar MPPT 75/10, 75/15, 100/15 & 100/20 - Victron Energy

Renogy 200W Portable Solar Panel

That portable panel is interesting. I had a Victron MPPT installed as part of our upgrades as it was easier/cheaper to do then than add it later but am struggling to find a place where a permanent panel would fit

 

[wonkywinch]

That portable panel is interesting. I had a Victron MPPT installed as part of our upgrades as it was easier/cheaper to do then than add it later but am struggling to find a place where a permanent panel would fit

It sits nicely on the coachroof with it's fold out legs. Just working out other methods to angle it towards the sun.

I only bought it to recharge the ePropulsion battery on an ad hoc basis but suggestions here convinced me to use any spare energy for the house battery. For an additional cost of £45, I fitted the Victron MPPT.

 

[fionn1432]

View attachment 181474

It sits nicely on the coachroof with it's fold out legs. Just working out other methods to angle it towards the sun.

I only bought it to recharge the ePropulsion battery on an ad hoc basis but suggestions here convinced me to use any spare energy for the house battery. For an additional cost of £45, I fitted the Victron MPPT.

That's deadly

 

[wonkywinch]

That's deadly

Deadly as in neat/cool or potentially fatal?

 

[fionn1432]

Deadly as in neat/cool or potentially fatal?

Maybe all
Cool