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Multiple Batteries

Discussion in 'Technical Discussion' started by pgenesta, Aug 10, 2011.

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  1. pgenesta, Aug 10, 2011
    #1
    pgenesta

    pgenesta Guest

    Hello to all..
    I have a 2 battery system on my express cruiser with twin Crusaders 454ci.
    One battery assigned for “house” and one for “starting the engines”. I have a fridge, microwave, hot water system and ac along with the usual cabin and deck lighting.
    I would like to add 2 more batteries to the house side in order to supplement the house side when on the hook.
    I will share that the boat did have a generator (intermittently worked) and I pulled it out.

    Any diagrams available? Pros cons? Should I have an inverter? I do plan on picking up a portable generator with an inverter before the start of next year’s boating season.
  2. Swamp fox, Aug 10, 2011
    #2
    Swamp fox

    Swamp fox Member

    Joined:
    May 19, 2010
    Messages:
    85
    Location:
    NC
    So how do you have 120V AC power without a generator or inverter?

    Do your appliances run on 12V DC?

    You could get multiple house batteries, wire them in parallel to have more amp hours of usage. You'd simply charge them the same way you currently do, either by running the main engine or plugging back into shore power.

    If you have 120V appliances, get a big battery bank, an inverter, and your generator back. You'd simply run off the inverter bank until the batteries drew down to a certain level, then charge them back by using the generator. Depending on your amperage load, you could run quite a while on a big enough battery bank before running the generator.
  3. chesapeake46, Aug 10, 2011
    #3
    chesapeake46

    chesapeake46 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2009
    Messages:
    1,828
    Location:
    Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay & S.Jersey
    Google this
    "The 12 volt bible for boats"
    I will be worth the $ 12.00 price to help you out.
  4. Ju52, Aug 11, 2011
    #4
    Ju52

    Ju52 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2006
    Messages:
    148
    Location:
    Frankfurt
    my 2 cents

    * do NOT use batteries of different types together
    Replace the old with new of higher capacity or
    replace an bat old with 2 new batteries and switch it parallel

    * change the battery type
    take havy duty batteries
    take Lith-IOn batteries without memory effects (search for Altair Nano)

    * check the loader for the needed higher currents

    ask the professionals