Can I turn off Isolator while Charging?

[MarkofSeaLife]

Hi Folks

I am testing a problem that I don't know if I have or not. (Does that sound normal on a cruising boat? LOL)

I have a large house bank and a smallish starting battery. All batteries are new. I have seperate isolators for each bank. Each bank can only go On or Off. Normally both are On.

I want to start the engine and then turn off the starting battery, leaving the house bank On.

Can I do that or will it blow up?

Basically I want all the charge to go into the house bank as a test.

Thanks,


Mark
(I don't want to describe the problem I am testing cos I don't want to get side tracked )

[capttb]

Wouldn't leaving starting battery off and starting on the house bank accomplish what you want?

[Maine Sail]

Originally Posted by MarkofSeaLife

Hi Folks

I am testing a problem that I don't know if I have or not. (Does that sound normal on a cruising boat? LOL)

I have a large house bank and a smallish starting battery. All batteries are new. I have seperate isolators for each bank. Each bank can only go On or Off. Normally both are On.

I want to start the engine and then turn off the starting battery, leaving the house bank On.

Can I do that or will it blow up?

Basically I want all the charge to go into the house bank as a test.

Thanks,


Mark
(I don't want to describe the problem I am testing cos I don't want to get side tracked )

It all depends upon how it is wired. We'd need more info on the path the alternator takes and the equipment used to send charge current to each bank. Very difficult to give an answer without more information.

[MarkofSeaLife]

Wouldn't leaving starting battery off and starting on the house bank accomplish what you want?

Nah, it only starts on the engine batt, not the house bank. Unfortunately.

Originally Posted by Maine Sail

It all depends upon how it is wired. We'd need more info on the path the alternator takes and the equipment used to send charge current to each bank. Very difficult to give an answer without more information.

OK. Thats beyond me.

Alternator with internal regulator to a solonoid to fuses to isolators.

But I can't see if the wires from the alternator seem to split near the starter motor and one part goes direct to the engine battery.

I will try and trace it properly and get back to you with better answers

Thanks so much for your help


Mark