C-Tek and alternator charging

Hi.

Just wondering if you can charge using a C-Tek battery charger and engine charging at the same time.
Would the battery charger realise what is happening and switch to float mode.
Or would you run the risk of pumping too much charge into the battery causing issues.

Thanks in advance
Bluetide

I am not sure what your concerns are: 1) the engine alternator running at the same time the battery charger is connected, 2) two battery types connected to the same charger or 3) isolation between two batteries (start and house) with the charger connected. Also the C-Tek web site is long on glitz and short on specifics.


Good marine battery chargers have two or more outputs that solve the isolation problem.


One, two, or three or more charging sources will co-exist fine.


Do not try to charge dissimilar (AGM and flooded cell) batteries with the same source.


David

djmarchand said:

I am not sure what your concerns are: 1) the engine alternator running at the same time the battery charger is connected, 2) two battery types connected to the same charger or 3) isolation between two batteries (start and house) with the charger connected. Also the C-Tek web site is long on glitz and short on specifics.


Good marine battery chargers have two or more outputs that solve the isolation problem.


One, two, or three or more charging sources will co-exist fine.


Do not try to charge dissimilar (AGM and flooded cell) batteries with the same source.


David

Click to expand...

Thanks David.
Yes number 1.

OK, #1. To expand a bit:

When two or more charging sources are connected in parallel, they each operate based on their respective charging profiles. Say one switches from acceptance to float at 14.0 volts and another switches at 14.5 volts, then when the first one reaches 14.0 it will no longer be charging much and the load will be supplied primarily by the second one until it reaches 14.5 volts. Then it will switch to float and both will remain in float mode.


Your engine alternator, if it is a simple internally regulated one, has a fixed voltage output, usually 13.5 V. That means it will contribute very little to charging because the C-Tek charger is operating above that voltage until it switches to float.

In any case, bottom line- they will all work together fine in parallel.

David

Bluetide said:

Hi.

Just wondering if you can charge using a C-Tek battery charger and engine charging at the same time.

Bluetide

Click to expand...

Bluetide...
Not familiar w/ C-Tek's but did take a look at their page...

I was wondering what your source was for powering the C-Tek?
120V AC - Solar - Wind - other? and how often it would run w/ eng running?

I see they have some units that are intended to handle multi sources as well as multi batt'ys - may just need to select the best unit for what you are trying to do.

I blew mine up doing that. Contact the factory first I say.

Capthead said:

I blew mine up doing that. Contact the factory first I say.

Click to expand...

What did you blow up ?
Your charger ?
Thanks
Bluetide

240 Volts from Genny or Shore power.