Combiner used with float charge?

[windpath]

I have a Xantrex 2000W inverter/charger that uses a float charge once the batteries are at capacity (charge->accept->float).

I am considering combining the 2 existing 4D's into a single house bank in parallel, and adding a group 27 starting battery with a bluesea combiner (http://bluesea.com/category/2/products/7600).

My question is will the combiner continue to float charge both banks (house and starting) once the charge level goes to float or will it isolate (and allow a slow discharge of) my starting battery?

Should I care?

Does anyone know the float charge voltage?

Thanks for any help!

[SanderO]

The combiner setting is like the both setting on a typical 1-2 both switch I believe. So a charging source sees all the batts in parallel and as a single battery bank.

jef
sv shiva

[windpath]

The combiner only closes the circuit when it see "charging voltage", I guess my real question is does the Xantrex "float" voltage qualify as "charging voltage" to the combiner?

[sailingdog]

I believe the voltage level at which the combiner combines banks is adjustable.

[essman]

On my combiner, the voltage is set to combine just below float voltage. That way both banks are floated.
I'm thinking the combiner is set to activate around 12.9 volts. My charger floats at about 13.1 volts.
I forget what brand of combiner I have, but the cut in voltage is adjustable.

[CapnHand]

I have my batteries set up with the 7600 between a house bank and a starter battery. There are different ways to do it but the way I have it wired, the house bank is charged by shore power, the starter battery is charged by the alternator. When either battery is above 13.5V for at least 30 seconds, the house bank and the starter battery will combine, when the voltage of both batteries falls below 12.7 for 60 seconds they will be isolated. Those are the factory settings, they are adjustable on the 7600. There is also an undervoltage lockout feature (4V) to prevent putting current into dead / damaged batteries or a short.

So, if I'm motoring, the alternator will charge the starter batter until it's above 13.5V, then the ACR will combine the banks to charge the house batteries as well. When I shut off the motor to sail, using power for instruments, nav lights, etc, the ACR circuit will open to isolate the batteries as soon as the house bank drops below 12.7V, so the starter battery is kept in reserve. When I get back to the dock and plug in, the charger will charge the house batteries until they are above 13.5V, then the ACR circuit will close and allow the starter battery to be charged as well.

You can check the installation instructions for the product (see the section on sensing both batteries) or contact Blue Sea for advice. They were great for helping me set my system up.

[windpath]

Thanks everyone, I will let you know how it works out!