jointcustody
Veteran Member
I am in the process of upgrading the batteries on my boat.
Current setup;
The alternator: 137A-116A (two ratings on tag, on initial receipt says 116a, I am thinking 116A is the continuous duty rating?) It is externally regulated with an old next step regulator, but does not have an alternator temperature sensor
(1) 4D starting battery, 9 years old and close to replacement
(4) 6v costco gc, 2 years old, wired series parallel for 420ah (50% DOD = 210AH) (in two battery boxes)
(2) agms in the bow for bow thruster, powered by a small victron dc-dc charger off house bank
The plan;
-keep my 116A duty-rated alternator.
-add balmar mc618 external regulator, alternator temp sensor to boost or buck the alternator as to never overheat
-add sterling alternator protector in case of surge on batteries should they cut out.
-add two ablithium start/deep cycle dual purpose batteries. These are 1400cca each and 150ah each, for a total bank capacity of 300AH. These will start the engine, the genset and serve as my house bank. One of these batteries on its own will start my perkins m135 (spec required is 1400cca)
https://www.ablithium.ca/products#!...-Heated-Battery/p/530327244/category=80052469
- wire the batteries to a simple 1,2 and both switch. While running the engine will have on "both", at anchor switch to 1 or 2, definitely before bed, but shouldnt run out of AH anyhow.
-existing outback 2kw inverter with 80a charger appears to have correct parameters available.
With this change, I would go from having 3 battery boxes in my engine bay to 1. Lose a whole lot of weight and maintenance (watering). Remove a ton of extra battery wiring and complexity, gain a decent amount 30%+? of useable AH, and charge very fast.
If the house/ start bank should go dead I have a hand crank on my genset, a long set of jumpers on board to jump from my agm bow thruster batteries to my engine or genset. I have a sea tow membership lol... and I will be setting up a low voltage alarm. I may even set up a low voltage disconnect.
Does anybody have any suggestions? feel free to poke holes. I've got big shoulders.
Yes these are Chinese batteries but they have great reviews and most of the lithiums are made there or sourced from there.
Thanks, Ty.
Current setup;
The alternator: 137A-116A (two ratings on tag, on initial receipt says 116a, I am thinking 116A is the continuous duty rating?) It is externally regulated with an old next step regulator, but does not have an alternator temperature sensor
(1) 4D starting battery, 9 years old and close to replacement
(4) 6v costco gc, 2 years old, wired series parallel for 420ah (50% DOD = 210AH) (in two battery boxes)
(2) agms in the bow for bow thruster, powered by a small victron dc-dc charger off house bank
The plan;
-keep my 116A duty-rated alternator.
-add balmar mc618 external regulator, alternator temp sensor to boost or buck the alternator as to never overheat
-add sterling alternator protector in case of surge on batteries should they cut out.
-add two ablithium start/deep cycle dual purpose batteries. These are 1400cca each and 150ah each, for a total bank capacity of 300AH. These will start the engine, the genset and serve as my house bank. One of these batteries on its own will start my perkins m135 (spec required is 1400cca)
https://www.ablithium.ca/products#!...-Heated-Battery/p/530327244/category=80052469
- wire the batteries to a simple 1,2 and both switch. While running the engine will have on "both", at anchor switch to 1 or 2, definitely before bed, but shouldnt run out of AH anyhow.
-existing outback 2kw inverter with 80a charger appears to have correct parameters available.
With this change, I would go from having 3 battery boxes in my engine bay to 1. Lose a whole lot of weight and maintenance (watering). Remove a ton of extra battery wiring and complexity, gain a decent amount 30%+? of useable AH, and charge very fast.
If the house/ start bank should go dead I have a hand crank on my genset, a long set of jumpers on board to jump from my agm bow thruster batteries to my engine or genset. I have a sea tow membership lol... and I will be setting up a low voltage alarm. I may even set up a low voltage disconnect.
Does anybody have any suggestions? feel free to poke holes. I've got big shoulders.
Yes these are Chinese batteries but they have great reviews and most of the lithiums are made there or sourced from there.
Thanks, Ty.