2 engines 3 batteries

[alaska_av8r]

I am trying to make my electric system more efficient and more user friendly. I am also trying to avoid the voltage drop of an isolator but maintain usability.

I have a total of 3 batteries, 1 starting and 2 house deep cycle wired parallel.

Do ACR's work one direction only? I have read that once the side they are on is charged then they close to feed the current to the other battery. Is this correct? if so then I would assume they are not bi-directional.

If they are not bi-directional could you use two of them safely as shown in my drawing without affecting the alternators or any other components?

http://www.hellzhoundz.net/crusadernewelect.pdf

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 2 engines 3 batteries

I would not wire it up that way. I would put your 1/2/Common switch feeding the starboard engine and batteries 2 and 3. I would put one ACR between those two batteries. I would put another 1/2/common switch between batteries 1 and 2 and the port engine with an acr between batteries 1 and 2.

Normal operation would have the selector switches selecting battery 2 for the starboard engine and battery 1 for the port engine. If any engine is started, all the ACRs will connect all 3 batteries together.

ACR's are just relays with circuitry that energizes the relay when voltage from either side reaches a set point and denergizes at another point.

 

[alaska_av8r]

Re: 2 engines 3 batteries

thanks Bruce for the input, I only have one designated start battery battery 1 while my house batteries are paralleled and a different type.

I was trying to end up with just with switch if possible....

If I had two batteries with the left one being fed by the port alternator and the right battery being fed by the starboard alternator, then placed an ACR between those batteries..........would

either alternator cause the ACR to close thus feeding the other side, or are ACR's designed to detect charging current on just one side?

and if the ACR will close with charging current coming from either side....what would happen with both alternators producing output.....

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 2 engines 3 batteries

ACRs detect voltage from either side. There may be some that you can set to only see from one side such as the Blue Sea but have the option to use both.

There is no problem with both alternators seeing the same load(battery) and each others output.

 

[alaska_av8r]

Re: 2 engines 3 batteries

thanks once again, the learning curve continues.....lol