The best method I have found and the least problematic from all points of view is to have a dedicated starting battery that does nothing else but start the engine, and a house battery that can be several batteries in parallel. Ideally the house batteries will all be identical. I feed the alternator directly to the house battery and use a device such as a Xantrex EchoCharge, a small regulator, to keep the start battery charged. A simple 1/both/2 off switch feeds the house load from either battery and acts as a combiner switch if needed. I have a diagram I can send you if you wish.
I have wired many boats this way with no complaints or incidents. Rich Knowles Indigo. LF38 Halifax. NS > On May 5, 2014, at 10:47, via CnC-List <[email protected]> wrote: > > In a pinch, I recently bought a 'starting' battery (Group 27) per my earlier > post (no marine stores open after 6 on Saturdays) > > Then I decided to get a replacement for my dead Lifeline AGM battery. > > Of course, Murphy lurking about, I realized that my Zantrex Truecharge 40 > wants all the batteries it charges to be the same since > its charging schemes apply to all three outputs to the batteries. > > Before I pull the 'rope-a-dope' of returning the starting battery, I need > some list advice: > > A lot of sailors suggest using a 'starting' battery exclusively for starting > and using the house batteries for the house. I am aware that > an AGM can be used for starting as well. > > However, if a 'starting' battery is better for this job (CCA, etc.) and the > AGM is better for its job, how does one use a single charger like mine > to satisfy different charging schemes? > > 2 chargers, a smarter charger that has outputs for different battery > characteristics, or 'forgetaboutit" and charge both batteries as though > the were both AGMs? > > Charlie Nelson > Water Phantom > C&C 36 XL/kcb > > [email protected] > _______________________________________________ > This List is provided by the C&C Photo Album > http://www.cncphotoalbum.com > [email protected]
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