One Outboard to Charge Two Batteries

[@stevec9641]

Great videos! I've watched almost all the PYS videos for combiners... but have a slightly different scenario/question for using a dual bank charger. I have a single outboard with a 60A alternator, connected to a starting battery and a house battery solely for all other electronics. I want to install a 7610 SI-ACR to charge both batteries on the water, but also want to be able charge them independently while off the water. Can I safely accomplish this by: connecting each batteries positive terminal to a 80A circuit breaker with 6 AWG, then connecting from the breaker to the ACR. Then, tripping both breakers when the boat is in storage to disconnect the ACR and plug in the two bank charger? Thank you again!

[@BluefinToona]

Hi. Thank you for this informative video. Now when I get home and have switched the ACR to Off. The green light flashes every 15 seconds standby mode. Will this drain either battery if the boat is not run for a few weeks?? How can I overcome this parasitic draw?? How did you wire the on off switch to completely turn off the ACR when away from the boat???

[@dewanehill1435]

Great video!!!

[@ricklapp83]

I’ve been charging two batteries off my outboard for years; I simply turn my selector switch to “both” while running and switch to 2 (house) when at anchor. Is this wrong? Thanks, Rick

[@franciscoadolfo5805]

Good question for those of us with only a battery switch

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Hi Rick, your setup is pretty common. If house battery is #2 and engine battery is #1, then consider always starting on #1, confirming your engine battery can start the engine on it's own, then while running turn to both/all, when engine is not running turn switch to position #2 so house loads are from the house battery.

[@ricklapp83]

@@PacificYachtSystems Thanks, that’s been my habit forever.

[@adrianvlasic7974]

@@PacificYachtSystems can I ask, in this scenario, why would you ever put the switch to battery 1(starter battery)? If you put the switch to combined, and then you tried to start it, would you not have more power to start because the batteries are in parallel? And if you want to use your house battery accessories while the engine is off, you put the switch to battery 2.. so that you can’t kill your starter battery. What would the reason be for using the switch in position 1 ever

[@redwood1957]

Is it a good practice or code to switch power to outboard. Just concerned with outboard on and somebody opening switch?

[@JohnRedding-vc4po]

Another question : I have 2 batteries /2 engines can you use 1 battery for engines and the other for house ? if so please show a diagram

[@seanrhone5306]

Really need diagrams when doing these types of talks.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Good point Sean, will keep this in mind going forward.

[@scottk27332]

If you go to Blue Sea Systems website they have great schematics on these devices. i have dual VSR's for two separate house banks. I can charge one bank while using the other bank. Engine start banks are completely separate and have charging priority from the engines (get home mentality) then the house banks get it from the VSR's

[@CaptainMcFartin]

How do I know what size fuse I need? I’m running a 25hp outboard and doing this exact setup.

[@tentimes4]

I have another question regarding small outboards and batteries. I have a 23' proline that I'm turning into a survey boat. I will have at least two batteries as well. Can you go over the calculations on what size wire to use between the starter battery and the motor given the distances between the motor and battery might need to vary depending on the job. For example, what size wire is needed to connect the starter battery to a 150 hp engine when the distance between the battery is 5' or 10' or 25'? Let say the engine needs a minimum of 670 CCA to start. Basically, I can't have the starter battery at the back of the boat in all scenarios.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Hi Jason, here's a link to boat wiring guide: www.bluesea.com/resources/1437

[@diyoutdoors6675]

Can I parallel 2 house baterries and have still have my starting baterries in total of 3 baterries.

[@rednoize4391]

I have two deep cell batteries and want to use those for my starting / and I want to add a 3rd battery to run my electronics,,,, any advise?

[@bdonzi]

Any answer? I was wondering myself??

[@kevinheide7300]

I have two batteries that seemed to be wired in parallel… in a bass boat, all accessories are 12v. There is a device that is wired directly between the two positive post on the two batteries. ?. There is a center smaller wire that I have not traced yet, but it will soon. The device looks to be a metal solenoid, screwed to the frame of the boat (aluminum hull). I would like to know what this device is…. In addition, both batteries are deep cycle RV batteries, this means the start battery is a deep cycle, and I have learned that a deep cycle battery doesn’t do well with the charging system from the outboard motor… So it appears I need to change the start battery to a cold cranking battery ( NOT a maintenance free) and not a deep cycle Please advise me of what’s been set up in my boat. Thank you! Kevin

[@sicrx69]

Simple but great video. Another scenario for ya. I have a duel battery setup with a battery selector switch. Off, on combine. I have a yamaha ox66 that has a 2nd battery wire from the regulator that suppose to charge the 2nd battery, regardless of the installed switch. While running, my house battery does NOT show charging voltage. Why? 2. I've read that switching to combine can cause damage from over voltage unless 1 battery is dead? Explanation?

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Not all that familiar with this sort of setup. While underway, your engine battery should definitely be getting a charge from the alternator. You can share this charge with other batteries, using battery combiners, or using a battery switch in combine/parallel mode. It's quite common for boaters to start an engine from the engine battery only and then once engine is started to turn the battery switch to all / combine and share the charging voltage from the alternator to another battery.

[@sicrx69]

@@PacificYachtSystems thanks for the reply

[@chrisbee796]

What about us small boat users, I have a 20hp honda that outputs 12amps, Im getting conflicting information and are stuck and have no idea who to turn to. Surely if the dc to dc is rated higher than my alternator then it will drain the start battery as it wont be able to replenish the amps that the dc to dc has drawn to put into the house. I have a sla 80ah starter and yet to be put in 50ah lifepo4 house. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

That's such a tough one... first off install a battery monitor on your house battery to quantify if you are really in a deficit of power. If so, then you start the day with a larger battery bank and hopefully can plug in later to recharge to 100%.

[@larrycaudill806]

My question is I have my boat that has two marine batteries in it I'm a running them in parallel that way I've got counted for a long time my question is I have a 15 horse Johnson so wants to know if I can hook up a voice regulator to it the rundown from the batteries for the motors running well I'm running on motor how do I wire that up I have a 15 horse outboard Johnson

[@redwood1957]

Could I do the same and add a switch and off that switch use the start battery for a windless? Thank you

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Can you rephrase your question, not sure i understand what you are trying to do... sorry.

[@markmifsud4044]

How can I charge 3 batteries 1is 12volt and 2are wired 24volt with a 2 bank charger

[@MarkBall-dz8ng]

I would like to know this also. Thanks

[@redwood1957]

If your start battery is agm and your house battery is a lifepo4 is this still the way to go?

[@PacificYachtSystems]

With AGM and Lithium batteries, you'll want to have a DC to DC charging converter.

[@Ezekiel_25.17_]

Hi there, I’m looking at putting a lithium deep cycle as a second battery. I want the battery’s to be separate but am I able to charge a second battery from a mercury 50 2013? And am I able to jumpstart the led acid from a lithium in the off chance it does go flat? Thank you for your time.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Hmmm, generally, most lithium battery manufactures don't recommend using their batteries for starting applications.

[@jandelahoussaye9834]

Why not just run in parrerel period instead using a switch and all that it works the same lol