To Rich
> On May 5, 2014, at 15:52, Rich Knowles via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> > wrote: > > In short, an Echo Charge is a simple regulator that derives it's input > voltage from a battery connected to a charging source. It's output is > connected to a secondary battery such as an engine start or windlass battery. > If the input voltage rises above 3.4 volts, as I recall, the > > Rich > >> On May 5, 2014, at 14:10, Edd Schillay via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> >> wrote: >> >> Marek, >> >> Very interesting. What exactly is an echo charger and how would I >> connect it? >> >> The previous owner had two house bank 31s and a starter battery hooked >> up parallel to one of them. That starter battery turned out to be dead and >> was dragging the other down. >> >> I replaced all with two new 31s about 4 years ago. Now one of those two >> is dead and I don’t feel like dumping $300 on a replacement when I’m not >> running on batteries for more than a few hours on any given day. >> >> >> All the best, >> >> Edd >> >> >> Edd M. Schillay >> Starship Enterprise >> C&C 37+ | Sail No: NCC-1701-B >> City Island, NY >> Starship Enterprise's Captain's Log >> >>> On May 5, 2014, at 1:01 PM, Marek Dziedzic <dziedzi...@hotmail.com> wrote: >>> >>> Edd, >>> >>> I don’t want to start a discussion on how to charge the batteries (as this >>> would be off topic), but starting from the ALL position has some major >>> disadvantages. One is that you might be hiding a problem with your starting >>> battery; two is that if one battery is weak, you would be charging that >>> weak battery from the strong one (you risk that if one is nearly dead, the >>> other would not start the engine, either, but instead would discharge to >>> equalise the voltage with the weak one). >>> >>> No question (in my mind), the best way is to start from the starting >>> battery (hence the name) and have the echo charger making sure that both >>> batteries are charged properly. >>> >>> Some advocate to have the batteries split into “main” and “spare”. Many >>> good marine batteries can be used as dual purpose. If you design your >>> system this way, you start on the “main”, it gets charged by the alternator >>> and the echo charger maintains the “spare”. >>> >>> If I remember correctly, you have a solar system, as well. Many charge >>> controllers have a dual battery option and they can be setup to charge the >>> “main” battery first and then charge the “spare” (mine has a selectable >>> 50/50 or 90/10 split). >>> >>> If you are interested, you can check some of Main Sail’s articles on that >>> topic at Sailboat Owners or at his web site >>> (http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/). >>> >>> Marek (in Ottawa) >>> >>> PS. Would “may the Force (May the 4th) be with you” apply, even if it is a >>> day late? I know it is mixing the references... >>> >>> From: Edd Schillay via CnC-List >>> Sent: Monday, May 05, 2014 10:58 AM >>> To: cnc-list@cnc-list.com >>> Subject: Re: Stus-List Mixed batteries >>> >>> Rich, >>> >>> Please do send around a diagram. I’m planning to do something similar — a >>> 27 starting battery (as battery #2) and a 31 house bank (as battery#1). >>> >>> When I want to start and run the engine, I will do so on ALL. That way the >>> alternator will charge both batteries. When sailing and “hanging out”, I >>> would switch to 1 only. >>> >>> I have a solar panel and a dual battery regulator, which would connect to >>> both. >>> >>> Two weeks to launch and still much to do….. >>> >>> >>> >>> All the best, >>> >>> Edd >>> >>> >>> Edd M. Schillay >>> Starship Enterprise >>> C&C 37+ | Sail No: NCC-1701-B >>> City Island, NY >>> Starship Enterprise's Captain's Log >>> >>>> On May 5, 2014, at 10:38 AM, Rich Knowles via CnC-List >>>> <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote: >>>> >>>> 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 <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> 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 >>>>> >>>>> cenel...@aol.com >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> This List is provided by the C&C Photo Album >>>>> http://www.cncphotoalbum.com >>>>> CnC-List@cnc-list.com >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> This List is provided by the C&C Photo Album >>>> http://www.cncphotoalbum.com >>>> CnC-List@cnc-list.com >>> >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> This List is provided by the C&C Photo Album >>> http://www.cncphotoalbum.com >>> CnC-List@cnc-list.com >> >> _______________________________________________ >> This List is provided by the C&C Photo Album >> http://www.cncphotoalbum.com >> CnC-List@cnc-list.com > _______________________________________________ > This List is provided by the C&C Photo Album > http://www.cncphotoalbum.com > CnC-List@cnc-list.com
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