Charging System and Battery Banks

[johnar]

Hello to all,

I have some questions about charging systems and battery banks,


What I would like to setup is a system with Wind generator,Solor,shore power charger, genset and the Alterator.

What I need help with is understanding how to wire them all. From what I understand so far is that a charge controler is used to control what battery needs charge and cuts off the charge to battery's that do not need and charge. But what is used to control the source where the charge is coming from? Is there a controler that changes where to charge comes from?


also can someone explain how it is all wired? along with what parts are needed to do this job right?

I would like to have a bank with 4 House batterys and one starting battery along with one battery for the windless.


Thank you for any help offered.

Dutch

[johnar]

wow not one reply.

[skipmac]

Maybe everyone was out sailing yesterday.

I have read a couple of previous discussions along these lines. Specifically connecting a solar charger and wind generator at the same time, a common issue. As I recall, it was determined that there is no device currently available to automatically balance the charging or switch devices.

One quesiton I have is whether there is a potential for damaging one of the charging sources if all or several are attached to the battery and operating at the same time. For example, running the engine with a high output alternator at the same time the wind gen at the same time. Would the high voltage/amperage output of the alternator possibly feed back into the wind gen and fry the recitifiers or something?

I guess my idea would be to run all charging sources to a switching system and operate everything manually.

Skip

[stevensc]

Maybe you can find something here or ask about it they are quite helpfull Yandina Marine Electronics
Good luck
Steve

[jdoe71]

Another thread on the board talks about Air-x service issues. In it the OP mentions a company called Coleman Air that sells their stuff on eBay. I had a look at their eBay store and one thing they make is a charge controller for wind and solar. I know nothing about this stuff, yet, but it would seem to me that this is what you are looking for?

I intend to put solar/wind on our boat next spring. But this winter I am going to go to some dealers and see what they have and how it all works. Rather than expect people to teach me on this board. You have to buy this stuff anyway, so why not get the info from those who you are likely going to buy it from and who you will rely on to make it all work.

[CharlieJ]

What you are asking for is a total, integrated system design. My advice is to hire an experienced marine electrician and have him design it for you.

[johnar]

thank you for the input, what I have decided to do is use a PLC with 5 inputs and 5 out.


This should do the job nicely and with the price of PLC's now days its a cheap fix.


Dutch

[Aqua Vitae]

I have always felt that the best free advice you can get (no offense to anyone here) is from the best maker of the products you would use to integrate. In my opinion, the hands-down winner would be Blue Sea Systems. I realize you have found a solution, but their techs are extremely knowledgeable and helpful, and a conversation with them would result in nothing but good. I too have a wind generator, and integrating that with the alternator is a problem I plan on having them help me tackle in the future. As it stands, they have helped me with technical questions on the complete rewiring of the boat, and the update/ integration of many new systems.

I have done the same for the installation of jiffy reefing gear (Schaeffer) and the purchase of new sheets and various lines (Samson).

[Badsanta]

Originally Posted by johnar

thank you for the input, what I have decided to do is use a PLC with 5 inputs and 5 out.


This should do the job nicely and with the price of PLC's now days its a cheap fix.


Dutch

Do you have a link for that? Thanks Al

[johnar]

I buy my Electical parts from ABB. In this case I will have to work out the Logic and then buy the parts.

So far I know there are two things to keep in mind a PLC is a low volt control device so you have to have other parts (contactors) to handle the loads from Alt,Genset,ect.

The best part of this I can make it control all the charging system, not just the input source but the out also.

Dutch

[ragdoll]

I have 2- 80 watt solar panels W/ a charge controler ; 2- 400 wtt Air-X wind generators W/ internal regulators; a 100 amp - 2000 watt charger-inverter that runs off shore power or the "generator that has no charger" and a small, little bitty alternator on my yanmar powerhouse. They all seem to work just fine as the individual chargers are self regulated. One controller trying to run them all would not work very well I think.