Congrats on finally getting your hands on your boat!
Outboards should always be directly connected to their starter batteries, and provide charge current while running. Most manufacturers advise against switching the battery out while running as the alternator/regulator is not designed to run without a load.
It has two main connections, one goes to the starter battery, the other to the house. When charging power is present and the starter battery is fully charged, the relay connects the batteries together so the "spare" charge power goes to the house battery. When charging power is removed (i.e. the engine stops) then the relay disconnects the batteries. This is all done by detecting the voltage levels. It also works in reverse, i.e. if charging power is applied to house battery and it is fully charged then the relay will link in the starter battery.
You can thus have auxiliary and/or solar power configured to charge the house battery and the starter will be topped up automatically. I've used these on two boats and they work extremely well, you can just forget about which battery is being charged, it does it all for you. Install and forget!
You can also wire in a connection to a switch (ideally push-button) that will forcibly link the batteries when pressed. You can use this to bring in the house battery to assist the starter battery in emergency. It's important that the house battery is connected with starter-grade cable if you implement this.
From what you've described, your boat has a sophisticated charging system when connected to shore power, but no provision to charge the house batteries from the engine. If this is the case, a VSR will solve the problem, and it also simplifies the requirements for charging from mains and solar.
—
Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight
So just to be sure I understand, for times when shore AC power (which would charge both Starter and House batteries intelligently via my PCU) is unavailable, you would recommend:
1. That the House and Starter batteries can be directly linked by a switch in case the Starter battery is too low to manage on it's own - something I already have, then
2. That I install a Voltage Sensitive Relay (VSR) between the Starter and House batteries. This monitors the charge of the Starter battery and, if the Starter battery is fully charged, closes a circuit between Starter and House batteries to allow for charging of the House batteries.
I'm assuming that it's best for the solar controller's DC output to be connected to the same terminals as the outboard's alternator - since it's output would then be intelligently distributed in the same manner - ie. Starter battery first, then the House bank.
The only things that puzzle me are that you mention:
1. Auxiliary power. What do you mean by this?
2. Also you said that the solar power should (along with auxiliary power?) be connected to the House batteries. I would have expected the Starter battery to have preference due to it's special function with the VSR switching in the House battery when the Starter is fully charged.
Sorry to be so dense, I always like to understand things if possible.
—
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
The VSR works in both directions. I.e. it will connect the batteries if either one is being charged and the voltage indicates it has reached full charge level (about 13.5V). So the engine will charge the house battery once the starter battery is full, and conversely a shore-power or solar charger connected to the house battery will charge the starter battery once the house is full. You wouldn't actually need the direct output from your main charger to the engine battery, though probably no harm leaving it in place.
It will also function in place of your existing switch for linking the two batteries. It has an additional connector that can be taken to a small switch, which closes the relay to link the two batteries in emergency. This switch doesn't carry the full battery current (unlike your existing one), but merely activates the relay. On my X I wired this to a waterproof push button on the console, so if the starter was straining I could just push it while turning over the engine to get the power of both batteries. A push button makes sure you don't accidentally leave the batteries linked!
I plan to also do this on my 19 (I've already got a VSR fitted) but the charge cable feeding the house battery isn't heavy enough for starter current and I need to replace it first.
BTW by "auxiliary" I simply meant 240V "shore power".
The Cyrix VSR is an excellent gadget - very small, not expensive, and eliminates the need for all kinds of otherwise complex and heavy-duty switching arrangements.
Hope that makes more sense!
—
Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight
i have just read the "Practical Boat Owners - Essential Maintenance Guide" which is full of good tips and knowledge with a particularly good article on solar panels should any one be interested.
for all other tips there are 116 pages of how to and what to do which might be beneficial to all to read.
smile it's the second best thing you can do with your lips and keeps all wondering why sailors are always happy
Hi Mike
Congrats on finally getting your hands on your boat!
Outboards should always be directly connected to their starter batteries, and provide charge current while running. Most manufacturers advise against switching the battery out while running as the alternator/regulator is not designed to run without a load.
My favourite device for managing cross-charging is a Victron-Cyrix Voltage Sensitive Relay (VSR) - see here:
http://www.12voltplanet.co.uk/victron-cyrix-ct-voltage-sensitive-relay-b...
It has two main connections, one goes to the starter battery, the other to the house. When charging power is present and the starter battery is fully charged, the relay connects the batteries together so the "spare" charge power goes to the house battery. When charging power is removed (i.e. the engine stops) then the relay disconnects the batteries. This is all done by detecting the voltage levels. It also works in reverse, i.e. if charging power is applied to house battery and it is fully charged then the relay will link in the starter battery.
You can thus have auxiliary and/or solar power configured to charge the house battery and the starter will be topped up automatically. I've used these on two boats and they work extremely well, you can just forget about which battery is being charged, it does it all for you. Install and forget!
You can also wire in a connection to a switch (ideally push-button) that will forcibly link the batteries when pressed. You can use this to bring in the house battery to assist the starter battery in emergency. It's important that the house battery is connected with starter-grade cable if you implement this.
From what you've described, your boat has a sophisticated charging system when connected to shore power, but no provision to charge the house batteries from the engine. If this is the case, a VSR will solve the problem, and it also simplifies the requirements for charging from mains and solar.
Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight
Many thanks for this Rick.
So just to be sure I understand, for times when shore AC power (which would charge both Starter and House batteries intelligently via my PCU) is unavailable, you would recommend:
1. That the House and Starter batteries can be directly linked by a switch in case the Starter battery is too low to manage on it's own - something I already have, then
2. That I install a Voltage Sensitive Relay (VSR) between the Starter and House batteries. This monitors the charge of the Starter battery and, if the Starter battery is fully charged, closes a circuit between Starter and House batteries to allow for charging of the House batteries.
I'm assuming that it's best for the solar controller's DC output to be connected to the same terminals as the outboard's alternator - since it's output would then be intelligently distributed in the same manner - ie. Starter battery first, then the House bank.
The only things that puzzle me are that you mention:
1. Auxiliary power. What do you mean by this?
2. Also you said that the solar power should (along with auxiliary power?) be connected to the House batteries. I would have expected the Starter battery to have preference due to it's special function with the VSR switching in the House battery when the Starter is fully charged.
Sorry to be so dense, I always like to understand things if possible.
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
Hi Mike
Perhaps my explanation wasn't too clear!
The VSR works in both directions. I.e. it will connect the batteries if either one is being charged and the voltage indicates it has reached full charge level (about 13.5V). So the engine will charge the house battery once the starter battery is full, and conversely a shore-power or solar charger connected to the house battery will charge the starter battery once the house is full. You wouldn't actually need the direct output from your main charger to the engine battery, though probably no harm leaving it in place.
It will also function in place of your existing switch for linking the two batteries. It has an additional connector that can be taken to a small switch, which closes the relay to link the two batteries in emergency. This switch doesn't carry the full battery current (unlike your existing one), but merely activates the relay. On my X I wired this to a waterproof push button on the console, so if the starter was straining I could just push it while turning over the engine to get the power of both batteries. A push button makes sure you don't accidentally leave the batteries linked!
I plan to also do this on my 19 (I've already got a VSR fitted) but the charge cable feeding the house battery isn't heavy enough for starter current and I need to replace it first.
BTW by "auxiliary" I simply meant 240V "shore power".
The Cyrix VSR is an excellent gadget - very small, not expensive, and eliminates the need for all kinds of otherwise complex and heavy-duty switching arrangements.
Hope that makes more sense!
Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight
Many thanks for taking the trouble to explain it Rick I do appreciate it!
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
Hello all
i have just read the "Practical Boat Owners - Essential Maintenance Guide" which is full of good tips and knowledge with a particularly good article on solar panels should any one be interested.
for all other tips there are 116 pages of how to and what to do which might be beneficial to all to read.
smile it's the second best thing you can do with your lips and keeps all wondering why sailors are always happy
Woody DB
Jack Jeavons, M26C Fair winds to all
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