split diode charge unit

[halcyon]

A simple system would be,

Port engine running from engine battery.

Starboard engine running from service bank.

Port engine charges bow and stern batteries.

Link start / charge relay between port and starboard batteries.

This means that both engines charge the primary batteries with no external item, i.e. no relays or diodes, giving max reliability and min volt drop.

Once the port engine had bought up the bow and stern batteries it would link into the service bank as well. Allows more available power to supply service loads when under way, and battery charging. It will also provide alternator redundancy if a alternator fails or belt fails.

Link start allows starting either engine from either bank, whilst also covering the charge side.

The mains battery charger is connected to the service battery, once this reaches it's set point, the charge link start/chjarge relay engages to charge the engine battery. After this the bow nad stern batteries are charged.

If you have sensitive equipment, then a supply can be added to power them of the best engine or service bank.

Connections would be a cable from engine and service isolators to link relay. Then ta cable from bow, stern relays to each bank, plus a negative control, and two wires to link switch.

Brian

 

[Observer]

[ QUOTE ]
A simple system would be,

Port engine running from engine battery.

Starboard engine running from service bank.

Port engine charges bow and stern batteries.

Link start / charge relay between port and starboard batteries.

This means that both engines charge the primary batteries with no external item, i.e. no relays or diodes, giving max reliability and min volt drop.

Once the port engine had bought up the bow and stern batteries it would link into the service bank as well. Allows more available power to supply service loads when under way, and battery charging. It will also provide alternator redundancy if a alternator fails or belt fails.

Link start allows starting either engine from either bank, whilst also covering the charge side.

The mains battery charger is connected to the service battery, once this reaches it's set point, the charge link start/chjarge relay engages to charge the engine battery. After this the bow nad stern batteries are charged.

If you have sensitive equipment, then a supply can be added to power them of the best engine or service bank.

Connections would be a cable from engine and service isolators to link relay. Then ta cable from bow, stern relays to each bank, plus a negative control, and two wires to link switch.

Brian

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks for explaining all that Brian. I'm afraid I still don't see that such a system offers a clear advantage over what is installed on Fair Prospect.

We have thee charging sources (two engine alternators and AC charger) each feeding two diode splitters/isolators with outputs to four battery banks (there could be two more as one output on each isolator is unused) permanently and simultaneously. Each battery is drawing charge to the extent of its own need.

I accept the voltage drop issue (although I haven't actually measured voltage at the diode outputs so can't be certain what it is). But, the installation is 6 years old and still on original batteries (apart from one bow thruster battery), so the batteries have outlasted their expected minimum life anyway, despite possible undercharging.