Charging question

[sagablu]

A good day to all,

Please confirm my thinking. I have two lead-acid batteries, one alternator, and one 50W solar panel running through a Victron 75/15 mppt charger. I currently have the output of the charger switched so I can select what battery to charge, this way the batteries are not common when I want to save one as the start battery. I do know this is a inefficient arrangement.


My thought is to buy an Echo charger and run the solar and alternator output through that to keep the batteries isolated. I did read much of the solar sticky, but I am not 100% certain of this. Is my thinking correct?


Thank you,

[sailorboy1]

It’s fine, it’s more important in my mind that you understand how you boat is wired/setup than chasing all the “best” ways

[john61ct]

Echo charger is one way, limited amps and clips voltage.

Fine when all charge sources go directly to the big House bank, and EC is just keeping Starter topped up.

For you, use a VSR / ACR.

[sagablu]

Originally Posted by john61ct

Echo charger is one way, limited amps and clips voltage.

Fine when all charge sources go directly to the big House bank, and EC is just keeping Starter topped up.

For you, use a VSR / ACR.

Thanks John,

Can you give an example Of a device of this type?

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by sagablu

Can you give an example Of a device of this type?

http://www.discountmarinesupplies.co...CABEgKCu_D_BwE

[john61ct]

https://www.bluesea.com/products/762..._-_12V_DC_500A

Lower amps, much cheaper.

Hundreds of different models.

Yandina combiner the original

[sagablu]

Understood. Can I ask what is the difference, practically speaking between the Blue Seas ML-ACR and a FET battery isolator. https://www.victronenergy.com/batter...tery-isolators


From the specs they seem to accomplish the same thing. Trying to fully understand what I am doing here.

[john61ct]

The FET is one way.

Update on old-school diode isolators, less voltage drop.

Very rarely used.

The ML unit is famous for being nigh indestructible, can last longer that the boat, pass on to grand kids.