Battery Talk - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

likwid · 05-18-2011, 03:32 PM

I'm digging setups with a BEP VSR.

One engine battery, one house battery, both set to on, ability to flip a switch and use both to start if need be, otherwise they stay isolated and both get charged whenever the engine is running.

numbskull · 05-18-2011, 04:15 PM

I learned that flipping a battery switch while an engine (alternator) is running is a No No. Has that changed?

likwid · 05-18-2011, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by numbskull

I learned that flipping a battery switch while an engine (alternator) is running is a No No. Has that changed?

If its a field disconnect switch it SHOULD be fine.

freebie · 05-18-2011, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by numbskull

I learned that flipping a battery switch while an engine (alternator) is running is a No No. Has that changed?

this depends on the battery switch. if the switch disconnects before making another contact then you could have a problem. this is caused by a voltage spike/drop when there is no battery hooked up. the switch in my boat is designed to make contact with the next position before it breaks the last one therefore always being connected to one of the batteries or both. I still don't move it when running just out of habit.

Rockfish9 · 05-19-2011, 07:16 AM

Most ( no all) of the switches are make before break, the most reliable method is to have a switch for each battery ( wired to a third switch as an emergency combiner/isolator)the charging of each battery is acheived through an ACR or Isolator.. each battery having a single purpose... this cuts out the human error ..and need to switch back and forth... it is my understanding that blue seas ( and other manufacturers) now make a single switch that acomplishes this on it;s own.... I still like having the option of excluding one battery all together in case of an internal short...

likwid · 05-19-2011, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockfish9

Most ( no all) of the switches are make before break, the most reliable method is to have a switch for each battery ( wired to a third switch as an emergency combiner/isolator)the charging of each battery is acheived through an ACR or Isolator.. each battery having a single purpose... this cuts out the human error ..and need to switch back and forth... it is my understanding that blue seas ( and other manufacturers) now make a single switch that acomplishes this on it;s own.... I still like having the option of excluding one battery all together in case of an internal short...

716-SQ-100AVSR - Dual Battery Charging Cluster

Add a Battery - Blue Sea Systems

The BEP Marine setup is a bit more refined.
It keeps your batteries separated unless you NEED it (Which you really shouldn't, having a dedicated house and a dedicated starting battery really is the way to go.) along with making sure both stay charged when the engine is running.

Van · 05-20-2011, 02:20 PM

I decided the extra $$ for the AGM battery is not worth it.
New ones are less than 1/2 the price of AGMs, and if I went with them and they didn't last I'll be REALLY pssd'. So I will go with what has been working. Hope I get another 10 years out of these.

I bought a new onboard charger so everything will be new.
Got some wiring to straighten out, clean everything, install new trays and the new charger and I'm good to go.

likwid · 05-25-2011, 05:59 AM

There's a very good reason why most people think AGM's suck.

If you flatline them, good luck re-charging.
If you charge over 16v for any amount of time (which means ever) you kill them. Even 15.5v for any amount of time is bad.

Most stock alternators/voltage regulators WILL kill AGM's.

ie: to do AGM's right and have them last more than 2 years (which seems to be whats happening, my father just replaced a bank of AGM's that were almost 8 years old now, funny how things work right when set up right) you need to be running a GOOD alternator and a GOOD voltage regular (best? Balmar, but not cheap.).

So basically, unless you want to set it up right, and spend alot of money doing so, go buy wet cells, spend the extra money elsewhere and worry not.

MakoMike · 05-19-2011, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by numbskull

I learned that flipping a battery switch while an engine (alternator) is running is a No No. Has that changed?

As always the answer is "it depends" Most battery switches will not disconnect the current battery when you move the switch from one battery to both, but check your switch to be sure.