Re: DC Electrical Upgrade
When it comes to batteries I like redundancy.
A separate charging battery for each engine and genset, charged by their respective alternator and a charger. Since your mains appear to be 12v like mines, it s pretty easy.
I also like house to be separate from inverter, again for redundancy reasons. same for the thruster. Nowadays with LEDs you don’t need as big a house bank as you did in the past making it easier to set up. You could have a 24v Charger for the house and thruster bank. Inverter banks are usually charged with the inverter. All it takes is a 24v alternator on one of the mains to have a back up in case you loose the generator.
Re: DC Electrical Upgrade
First question. Is it a marine inverter?
Second question why 4 x 6 volt batteries? Are they start pr deep cycle by the way?
Third question. Why the 1+1 charger and not the 3 bank ip44?
Fourth question. Would you like to talk to a victron distributor and go over the design?
Theres a few options you may want to consider as an alternative design.
Re: DC Electrical Upgrade
I was cooking batteries when the boat was new so I made some changes/upgrades. That included temp sensors for the batteries, better battery ventilation, isolating charging to dedicated banks and a Balmar regulator on each alternator. The Balmar regulators are really slick with many programming options. Then you leave your shore chargers off when running and your batteries get a proper multistage charging profile with a float charge during extended runs. The problem for me is that they don't last very long and I have replaced them both almost yearly. I don't know if its my set up or they are inherently unreliable. YMMV.
George
2 Attachment(s)
Re: DC Electrical Upgrade
Glad I only have a 31C, PO already added a Pro sport 20 Plus charger so added a House bank. Both engines have their own starting batteries, I added a Bep modular Switch set up. Also currently have a Aims inverter with a auto transfer switch, mostly for Fridge. At this stage a larger 120v Fridge / Freezer is in the plans with smaller being beverage only. I would probably through an isolator use both starting batteries for the thrusters, since they would be somewhat quick loads like starting and come back to full quicker. My initial plan was for extended time out on the Great Lakes, and now at some point the Great Loop. Didn't see generator in the diagram, adds yet another for of charging to keep batteries up. My plan now includes easialy adding solar as well when the time comes. But in the whole scheme of things, engine batteries for the engines, and the house bank for house related power needs.
1 Attachment(s)
Re: DC Electrical Upgrade
I have an 8K Westerbeke generator, but I didn't picture it because it isn't involved in the upgrade.
Another scenario I've considered is making the thruster bank larger and hooking the inverter to it. Adding another shunt would allow it to be monitored by the SG200 as well. It's the scenario that makes the most sense in my mind, but I've been advised by someone who knows far more than me to just have one house bank. I've illustrated that set up below.
Attachment 36681
Re: DC Electrical Upgrade
Thrusters cause serious voltage drop when they run which will trigger the low voltage cut out on the inverter.
And if that bank is also used for the windlass, after being in the hook generator off, using that bank for the inverter may cause it to be low when raising anchor.
Having one house bank is good but having a dedicated inverter bank is even better. For instance do you want your bilge pumps performance and the visibility of your anchor light affected by your inverter running your fridge? I don’t
Re: DC Electrical Upgrade
I see what you're saying. What I'm running up against is where to put the batteries. I've got these relatively large spaces outboard of the engines and they clearly used to be batteries there, but I love that space for working. It's part of the reason I didn't want V8's too. I'll have to think about that. I think you're right.
Re: DC Electrical Upgrade
I use my house bank as my inverter bank. I also run the windlass off of that bank. And I have never had a low voltage issue like Pascal is describing. My thought is that if you have proper wire sizes and the right batteries, you won't have those issues. Of course, higher voltage means less amp draw so my 32v bank makes a difference there compared to a 12v or 24v bank.
Also, I notice that the questions Scott asked in post #3 have not been addressed:
"First question. Is it a marine inverter?
Second question why 4 x 6 volt batteries? Are they start pr deep cycle by the way?
Third question. Why the 1+1 charger and not the 3 bank ip44? "
Re: DC Electrical Upgrade