Whizbang Jr and multiple charging sources

[qwerty_steve]

Hi guys,

I'm looking at the Midnite KID and Whizbang Jr combination for my solar system. If I use a Balmar mc-614-h to also charge the batteries, will the shunt take into consideration and display the current input from the Balmar? Or do I need something like a Victron BMV?

Cheers, Steve

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Steve.

[denverd0n]

Whizbang Jr and the Midnite Kid. Sounds like a good name for a band!

[captain58sailin]

Welcome to the forum.

[Wanderer51]

Greetings Steve,
If the Balmar regulator ties into your DC system downstream of the MidNite Solar MPPT and upstream of the 500 A shunt used for current sense, then the MPPT will display the monitored battery(s) amps/hrs in/out assuming the shunt is located in the circuit correctly.
You should investigate the Balmar Smart Guage instead of any amp hour counters for battery condition monitoring for long term cruising.

Earl, Wanderer 51

[qwerty_steve]

Thankyou all for the welcome.

For anyone interested I have posted an introduction Hi from Sydney, Australia - Cruisers & Sailing Forums

Wanderer51 - I plan to wire both the positive outputs of the KID and Balmar to a positive BUS (in other words the positive terminal of the battery bank). Not sure if that is 'downstream' of the KID. If not could you let me know.

The shunt would be in between the negative terminal and negative BUS.

[warrior 90]

Sounds like a nice System
How ever there seem to be some issues that U at least want to check before U go to finals
Solar Powered Repeater System - Wild Repeaters
Here I see another issue... Let´s asume the Whiz Bang shuts off, whats happening to all Ur electronics. Can U loose data ? Do U have to reinitiate certain equipment ? Can U switch automatic low Batt off???
or U will have no power on vital equipment
You might want to consider the MPPT charge controllers from Morningstar
They are also cooled by a BIG heat sink and not an electric vent.
I have the 60 amp...no problems for 4 years...run this together with a Victron inverter/charger and the BMV
BMV is great.....conect to solenoid and AUTOMATIC switch ON generator when battery LOW
If U also install a wind gen with a seperated MPPT charge controller check if the 2 charge controllers are compatible...can create electronic interference
Victron BMV is a choice. Anyhow Your charge controller will allways give U info on battery status.
Don´t know the particular features on the Midnight. Morningstar has a second wire direct to the battery for TRUE battery status

Arizona Wind Sun is a good source....check befor make final

[bad.wabbit]

I am in also inhe process of setting up the Kid and the WBJ. Actually was planning on using it initially just for battery monitoring, with no solar charging. I have an ac battery charger and the alternator. If all your negatives go to a single neg bus and you have the WBJ and shunt between the bus and the battery, I believe you will get accurate monitoring. Yes, that includes the negative from the engine/alternator. The Kid runs off the battery if the solar panels are not providing any energy. It might use more electricity than a dedicated battery monitor, but for the much lower cost it seemed like a good compromise. I don't plan on running any load through the Kid, so I would not be using the low battery disconnect. I have two banks to give me a backup. Will see how it goes...

Sent from my SM-G900V using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[qwerty_steve]

Sounds promising then thanks. Let me know how your install goes Erik

[warrior 90]

Yes charge controll of alternator by kid will work the way U explain.
2 batt banks resolve the low batt disconnect problem.
Since alternater charging is very rapid compared to solar charging a seperate monitor besides the one from solar charge controller is like shooting a fly with an atomic bomb

Have Fun