Quote:
Originally Posted by btrayfors
Need a bit more info.
First, why do you want a combiner? If you want to combine the batteries, you could just use the "BOTH" switch position, which would in any case be a good thing to do in order to have one large battery bank rather than two smaller ones.
Do you have a separate start battery or do you use one or both of the 85AH batteries to start the engine?
I assume the alternator output (big red wire) is attached to the common pole on the battery switch. Right?
FYI, the recommended way to do things these days is to have ONE large house bank and one starting battery. All onboard charging sources -- alternator, solar panels, AC battery charger, wind generator, etc. -- are then connected directly to the house battery bank. An EchoCharge or DuoCharge device (not a battery combiner) is then used to keep the starting battery topped off. This system is simple and nearly foolproof. Doesn't require any throwing of switches, special monitoring, etc., and it maximizes the energy output and replenishment from your house batteries.
Bill
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I have 2 banks, each with one battery. Right now both charging and discharging is controlled by the battery switch. There are 2 problems with this: first, if someone makes a mistake and moves the switch past "off" while the engine is running, I risk an alternator repair. Second, if I forget to move the switch to "house" when the engine is off, I run the risk of not having enough charge in the starter battery to crank the engine.
The combiner solves both of these problems.
I am not sure what a duocharge or echo charger is, and how they differ from the battery combiner.
I am willing to be educated ...