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Old 10-08-2017, 10:32 PM   #3
BruceK
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City: Sydney
Vessel Name: Sojourn
Vessel Model: Integrity 386
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 13,333
For me, battery charging is something I do when I run the genset for some other purpose. Like running some 240v appliances,running the eutectic fridge compressor,for hot water etc. Generators are best run loaded, I doubt battery charging is enough load, you risk glazing the cylinder bores. Mine often gets run early morning/late afternoon.
The generator is sending amps to a battery charger which will sense when the batts are full, it`s easy to get them to about 80%, the last 20% takes a long while. The reduced charge will reduce the load on the genset. You may as well charge both banks, especially if the charger has 2 bank charging.If those batts are flooded types you can top up, check them regularly if using the charger, you`ll soon get how much water they use.
It`s a crude method, but 12.6v or above, without any charge input, is effectively full. There are State of Charge (SOC) meters. You could also use a multimeter to take the voltage at the batts, but allow time,?1/2 hour, after charging. A load tester you can get cheaply on ebay, will help too.
Fortunately there are others much more knowledgeable about electrics who will come to your help.
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BruceK
2005 Integrity 386 "Sojourn"
Sydney Australia
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