Battery Switch & Dual Bank Charger

[Marada]

Hi
I'm sure this has been asked alot. But I am looking at installing a Blue Sea Battery Switch 1,2, 1-2,off. I was wondering if it would hurt anything by installing a 2 bank onboard charger straight to the batteries to top them off while storing? or do i need to go threw the switch?

I know on a battery switch everything except the belge pump gets hooked to the common post on the switch. If I was to go with an Isolator does everything still hook to the common post like s battery switch or does it get wired differant?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Battery Switch & Dual Bank Charger

You want the charger leads directly on the battery. It makes sense if you think about it. When you boat is in storage, the switch will be off while you are charging.

Go with an ACR instead of an isolator. In both ACR and isolator usage, you also connect directly to the battery.

 

[Marada]

Re: Battery Switch & Dual Bank Charger

Does an ACR Wire up just like the battery switch?

 

[Marada]

Re: Battery Switch & Dual Bank Charger

After Finding a wiring diagram, I think I will just go with the Battery Switch. It looks to be the eaisest to install.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Battery Switch & Dual Bank Charger

You still use the same battery switch. You just add the ACR so that when one battery is selected, both batteries get charged.

You connect a cable from each positve post of the battery to the ACR and supply a ground to the ACR...that is it.

 

[Marada]

Re: Battery Switch & Dual Bank Charger

I think I'v got it. I take a 3 post switch 1,2,1-2,off I hook everything except the belige pump to the common post and the #1 post to 1 battery and #2 Post to the second battery. Then I can get an ACR and just hook it straight to the Pos. post on each battery. Right?

Where can I get a Decent ACR?
I already have a blue sea 3 post switch.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Battery Switch & Dual Bank Charger

If you have a switch you don't need an ACR although it won't hurt anything either. It just becomes redundant. If you want both batteries to charge set the switch to BOTH. In fact you can feed 100% of the alternator output to either or both batteries depending on the situation. When anchored and running accessories set it to "2" to keep the starting battery fresh. You can use an ACR without the switch but you couldn't start the engine from the house battery if the start battery decides to take a dump. The switch is the simplest and most versatile way to incorporate a dual battery setup. Yes - you need to manually make selections - but big deal. It's not like you have to do that every 5 minutes.

 

[Marada]

Re: Battery Switch & Dual Bank Charger

I quess I thought you could only set the switch to both, then you had to move it back to 1 or 2 once the engine started. If it will work to run the switch in the both setting, then your right I don't need an ACR

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Battery Switch & Dual Bank Charger

"1" means BAT #1 is powering everything and BAT #1 is charging. "2" means BAT #2 is powering everything and BAT #2 is charging. BOTH means exactly that -- both batteries are powering everything and both batteries are charging. OFF is -- well -- OFF. Just don't turn off the switch with the engine running. How you use the switch is up to you.

 

[Marada]

Re: Battery Switch & Dual Bank Charger

I understand you can't switch to off with engine running, but you can switch from #1 to both or #1 to #2 and so on with the engine running right?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Battery Switch & Dual Bank Charger

I understand you can't switch to off with engine running, but you can switch from #1 to both or #1 to #2 and so on with the engine running right?

Yes. Some older switches were not of the "make-before-break" style which did create a problem with engine running switching. Newer switches "make" the new contact before "breaking" the existing contact.