I am building a sailing catamaran which I intend to power with two Yanmar 6BY260 engines, which come with only a 12 volt systems. These engines are the new type 2 low emission engines which use computers to reduce fuel consumption and pollution. I want to run a 24 volt boat, and my question is, has anybody ever run a boat with two different dc voltage systems? I would just add a 24 volt alternator to each engine, and set up separate systems for 12 and 24 volts.
I can't find any reference to this idea anywhere. Everybody seems to go with a 12 volt system and a 120 or 240 AC system. I have no desire for an AC system, even though everyone else seems to want one on any boat bigger than a daysailer these days. Can/should a 12 volt system and a 24 volt system share a ground? Are there any other issues I should be concerned about?
Thanks,
Tim Dunn
Arlington WA
I can't find any reference to this idea anywhere. Everybody seems to go with a 12 volt system and a 120 or 240 AC system. I have no desire for an AC system, even though everyone else seems to want one on any boat bigger than a daysailer these days. Can/should a 12 volt system and a 24 volt system share a ground? Are there any other issues I should be concerned about?
Thanks,
Tim Dunn
Arlington WA