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Old 06-14-2016, 07:21 AM   #1
mike66
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City: Warwick, RI
Vessel Name: Susan Helena
Vessel Model: Albin40
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 523
Battery charging question

I want to check this out with the group... seems like there are wrinkles to everything. My battery setup is 1 group 27 starting for the genny, 1 4D starting for the main engine, 2 4D house. From memory the 4D's are about 100ah each. All are flooded lead acid. Shore power charging is a Magnum 40 amp with three legs.
My question is about charging away from shore. Generally the house batteries run down to about 50% soc in 12 hrs, mostly from refer and lights at night. I have the genny battery wired to the start battery with an ACR. The engine and house can be combined with the usual 1-2-both switch. The genny alternator is rated at 50 amps. Am I correct that running the charger off of ac while the genny is running gives me additive current from both the charger and alternator for a faster charge? I'm talking about bulk charge up to 80% or so. I keep a close eye of the water levels, especially that group 27, but so far it doesn't seem to be overcharging. Am I doing anything wrong?
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