timjet
Guru
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2009
- Messages
- 1,920
We are about to do more on the hook cruising and I need to upgrade my charging capacity. I currently have
Some considerations:
Add a new battery charger. In my notes I came across the following formula to determine the required amp out put of a battery charger; 25% of the total amp hours of the largest battery bank. In my case; (5) 105 AH batteries = 525 amps. 525 * 25% = 130 amps.
So if I can find a 130 amp battery charger I will connect it to my house bank and leave my current 30 amp charger connected to the engine start bank and genny start battery.
This would require a genny run time of 3 hours per day to replace the 300 amps used each day. I would probably run an hour and a half twice a day.
Please comment on my plans.
Questions:
Do I need an ACR? I am pretty good about selecting the Battery switch to the house bank when we anchor. This of course keeps the engine start bank isolated and unused. After engine start I reselect Both on the battery switch which then allows the engine alternators to charge both the engine start bank and house bank.
Battery monitor/SOC meter. Is this necessary?
I don't need an inverter, so where can I get a 130 amp or something close battery charger. One bank is sufficient and does the battery charger need to have a selection to charge AGM batteries?
- (5) 105 AH AGM house batteries connected in parallel to form the house bank
- (1) 105 AH AGM start battery that is the start bank
- (2) 100 amp alternators, one on each engine
- (1) Battery switch that isolates or combines the house and start banks.
- (1) 30 amp Charles 3 bank battery charger
- (1) Westerbeke 7.6 KW generator. AC power is divided into (2) 30 amp circuits. One circuit power 2 air conditioning units, the other circuit powers all other AC powered items.
Some considerations:
- I don't want to use the engine alternators as a primary way to charge the batteries
- My current 30 amp charger would require I run the genny 10 hrs a day to replace the 300 amps used. Actually much longer when you consider the charger goes to a float charger at 80% charge. 10 hrs of run time per day is not reasonable.
Add a new battery charger. In my notes I came across the following formula to determine the required amp out put of a battery charger; 25% of the total amp hours of the largest battery bank. In my case; (5) 105 AH batteries = 525 amps. 525 * 25% = 130 amps.
So if I can find a 130 amp battery charger I will connect it to my house bank and leave my current 30 amp charger connected to the engine start bank and genny start battery.
This would require a genny run time of 3 hours per day to replace the 300 amps used each day. I would probably run an hour and a half twice a day.
Please comment on my plans.
Questions:
Do I need an ACR? I am pretty good about selecting the Battery switch to the house bank when we anchor. This of course keeps the engine start bank isolated and unused. After engine start I reselect Both on the battery switch which then allows the engine alternators to charge both the engine start bank and house bank.
Battery monitor/SOC meter. Is this necessary?
I don't need an inverter, so where can I get a 130 amp or something close battery charger. One bank is sufficient and does the battery charger need to have a selection to charge AGM batteries?