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Batteries, charge controllers..

3K views 18 replies 8 participants last post by  groundhog 
#1 ·
I appologise in advance for starting yet another topic of this sort.
I have been searching and reading previous posts on this topic, and my brain hurts.

I have a very simple set-up. Small boat, 27 foot. Two 12v batteries. Manual 1-2-both-off switch.

I killed one battery last year and want to buy a new one.
I am thinking AGM. I want to pull this battery out and sometimes use it as double duty for my dingy electric motor.

I also have a 5 watt solar panel.

I don't want to kill more batteries.

My questions..
-Switching to an AGM (group 31 is the largest that fits into my bilge area), will my automotive alternator (with built in regulator, i think) burn up?
-Can anyone suggest a charge controller that will fit my simple needs of handling the charge profile of the existing lead-acid battery and the new
AGM, keep my alternator happy, and switch in the solar panel?

thanks,
groundhog
 
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#2 ·
solar

I'm in the same position; same size boat and probably same size batteries - Group 24's w/ ~75 amp-hours each. My research seems to point that a 5w panel is enough to keep the batteries up to level with standard discharge (1%/day), but not enough to make up for losses during usage. I'm been thinking about springing for a 30W panel (~$250) and a pair of low-cost controllers.

The only decent dual battery controller I've seen seems to cost $150+ from the lowest cost sellers and looks like more controller than necessary.

One controller is theoretically ok for the bank, but if you permanently wire them in, you need to add a switch to break the connection as the batteries would be wired in parallel. Lower cost controllers can be had online for $20-30.

Smaller solar panels don't seem like they're going to be sufficient to compensate for actual usage. Estimating somewhat conservatively, a 30W panel can put out around 10 amp-hours per day (dividing the wattage by 15 to get to amp-hours and then multiplying by an optimistic 5 hours/day of power) and a 5W only 1.65. Putting that into perspective, my Raymarine A65 at full brightness, an average VHF or stereo are all rated at around 1 amp per hour. Multiply by 5-6 hours of sailing and there isn't much left to charge the batteries for lights!

A random thing I found out is that if I moved to a Group 27 battery (2" wider than a Grp 24), the capacity goes up by 30-40%, depending on brand. I needed new batteries and swapped in wet-cell 24s this past weekend. I wish I had thought about this in the spring when I had more time and I would have put in a new battery box to accommodate the larger batteries.. I paid $90 for each and could have bought Group 27s for $100 each, both quality batteries from a reputable generator shop. The 27s are definitely worth the extra $10 if you can squeeze them in.

A great reference is Don Casey's article:
Installing a Solar Panel to Maintain Batteries by Don Casey
 
#3 ·
Thanks.

I have been looking at various batteries and am under the impression that up to group 31, the width is pretty much constant. Width is my limiting factor in the space I have for my batteries so I will probably go with them.

I am surprised that nobody knows anything about my alternator question.
My fear is that if the AGM batteries have a much lower internal resistance, they will draw too much from the alternator, making it hot.

WHat is the limiting factor in what current a given alternator can put out?
rb
 
#5 ·
"WHat is the limiting factor in what current a given alternator can put out?"
The carrying capacity of the output wire or fuse.

But in conventional installations you don't have to worry about that, you no doubt have an automobile type alternator with integral regulator and they are designed to work as a unit. You can't burn it out UNLESS you bypass or replace the output lead, output fuse, or fusible link, whatever protects it.

And in common use, if it has to put out too much it will overheat and throttle back on its own, unless you've got a real cheap old regulator design in there.

Group31 batteries fall within the realm of "automotive" and a single one won't be a problem. Two of them probably won't be a problem (in parallel) unless you've run them down too far. If you want some fun, run both down about 80%. Start the engine on one, then throw the switch to "both" (assuming you've got alternator protection so you can do that) and watch the engine shudder and the fan belt jump like a snake from the extra load on the alternator.

Even with group 24's.

Mixing one wet battery and one AGM is generally a bad idea, using two of the same kind is all you really need to worry about in your situation. The rest matters--but isn't critical. Plenty of web sites about batteries, charging, mixing chemistries, when your head stops hurting.
 
#7 ·
hellosailor:
a Group 31 is 95-125 amp hours. that's a big battery for a 27' boat. REALLY big. Not sure if I'd call that "automotive" unless you mean "big rig."

I've run down my 24s and my Atomic 4 with a 55 amp alternator has never had any issues with sudden voltage draws (like flopping the switch) or similar. Maybe it's just that mighty A4.

Droptop:
I put together a spreadsheet that breaks everything down. It is in a format for me, but maybe you could find it useful as well. PM me your email address and I can send it to you.

Overall, I've done a lot of shopping for controllers at Northern AZ Wind & Sun (http://store.solar-electric.com). The owner is really helpful and validated my two controller strategy. I will likely go for two small controllers from them.

The best deal on panels looks to be the BP 20 or 30w models available from affordable-solar.com. Controllers themselves, I can't seem to ascertain a significant value increase with expensive units versus $25 ones. My inclination is to skimp there as 2 cheap ones are the same price as one expensive one and I can't point to a particular feature difference between them at this small panel size.

As a side note, I also looked at Sailnet's store, where I have had great success with good prices. However, the basic information and product selection has sent me to more specialized places.
 
#8 ·
I think if you pick the largest amp-hour batteries that you can fit will increase the life expectancy of the battery. Batteries stay alive longer if you draw them down smaller amounts. So that's the strategy behind picking larger vs smaller batteries.

These devices you are considering, will they know to switch from solar panel to alternator automatically, or do you have to throw switches and such?
gh
 
#9 ·
Hellosailor
I believe that if the max alternator output is determined by the wire or fuse capacity then they are too small for the installation. I would suggest in a proper installation the maximum output is determined by the acceptance rate of the batteries being charged. If lead/acid that would be approximately 25% of capacity of the battery. If you have for example a bank of two Trojan SCS225 batteries with 130 amp capacity x 2 = 260 amps total capacity. 25% of this is 65 amps and in bulk charge mode (less than 75% remaining capacity of batteries) that's the maximum they will accept. If the alternator is rated at less than 65 amps output with a 3 stage regulator it will max until either the batteries reach 75-80% level or the alternator gets hot and puts out less amperage. If the round trip of length is 10' and you calculate for 3% loss the wire should be #6 AWG. As long as the wire is #6 or larger it will not limit output and shouldn't be sized to do so. I would probably go a bit larger in my example and fuse accordingly. The fuse is sized for the wire not the expected load in the wire. The fuse should be larger than the expected current and smaller than the wires ampacity.
If the batteries are AGM the above numbers will change as they will accept a higher charge rate. According to this website (Deep Cycle Battery FAQ, or Absorbed Glass Mat Batteries) most AGM batteries have no charge or discharge limits, but I have also heard that it is approximately 50% of capacity. In the above example using the 50% measurement with the same capacity bank the acceptance is 130 amps in bulk charge mode. With 3% loss again and 10' return trip the calculator gives us #4 AWG. Again I would go larger so as not to limit the output of the alternator used and fuse accordingly.
As far as mixing AGM and lead/acid I would not suggest this. With multiple charging sources (alternator, solar, and possibly shorepower charger, although the original poster doesn't say if he has a shorepower charger) they will require their own controllers - eg regulator for alternator (either built-in or a separate 3 stage ideally) as well as a controller for the solar panel(s). To my knowledge they can be set for AGM or lead/acid batteries but not both at the same time for separate banks. Any shorepower charger I have seen is also set for AGM or lead/acid but not both. If you go with AGM they should all be AGM. Even if you charge house bank and use an Echocharge for start battery it will mirror the charging regimen that the house bank is getting.
Brian
 
#10 ·
Groundhog
The problem with using a very large bank is that the alternator (and shorepower charger if there is one) should also be increased in size. With lead/acid you should be able to charge at approximately 25% of capacity.
Brian
 
#11 · (Edited)
ps-
Some folks would call a group24 or a group27 a large car battery, but trust me, you can buy them from many automotive stores, for automotive use. And they're way smaller than the batteries for a lot of the older diesel cars.
I came within 1/2" of shoehorning one into my own car, but then again, I also shoehorned in a stock battery for a Lincoln Continental into my old '68 Mustang. Needed a chisel on the battery tray for that--but the hold-down fit just fine, and the battery was IIRC only $5 more. (G)

mitiempo-
"the max alternator output is determined by the wire or fuse capacity then they are too small for the installation." Nope. I'm talking strictly about what is the limiting factor. Not what the proper design considerations may or may not be, but what is the physically limiting factor. And that will be a fuse, wire, or fusible link that will literally blow once a certain current is reached. That's the limiting factor in a properly engineered system. In an IMproperly engineered system, you can blow out the alternator or regulator from an overload, but good engineering calls for protective devices (fuses) as limiters.
Now, as to redesigning the entire system, that's a whole other way more complex subject. And a waste to time to recreate in a thread, when there are so many good web pages already discussing that in the extensive detail required for the subject.
 
#12 · (Edited)
groundhog -
I'm with you on size. Bigger batteries have the only negatives of weight and size. Everything else is for the better.

For controllers, the setup is the same as having an alternator and a battery charger wired into your two banks permanently. They have diodes that prevent them from draining while not putting power in. So, you can permanently wire them in with no need for switches.

I've been looking around for a controller that would take the total input from the alternator and panels to more intelligently charge from every perspective. But, I haven't found anything I particularly liked.

mitiempo:
I agree with hello sailor. Insufficient wire capacity alone results in fires. Insufficient fuses just means more fuses. You are correct in saying that too long of runs with too small of wires will limit output. That just means the output is being wasted in the form of heat from the increased resistance of the wire. Alternators have a series of components (rectifier, stator, brushes) that need to be sized appropriately. You can artificially limit your output, but you can't beat the output of a given alternator without rebuilding it appropriately.
 
#15 ·
Hellosailor
I have done some research after your post. My searching tells me that the fuse in the alternator output wire is there to protect the boat and its wiring from the energy in the battery. It should be 140% of alternator rated output so cannot be a limiting factor in my opinion. Wires should never get hot - if they do when there is no fault they are too small. And if your output fuse blows isn't that the same as turning the battery switch off when charging? We all know that will blow the diodes in the alternator. That only leaves battery acceptance as a limiting factor as far as I can tell. This information comes from Balmar who I believe know alternators very well.
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-maintenance/47849-alternator-wire-gauge.html
respectfully
Brian
 
#16 ·
Someone earlier in this thread mentioned that the regulator inside the alternator would shut down on heat. I don't know much about alternators, but I have seen quite a few common regulator itegrated circuit chips that do sense their own heat and start to shut their voltage down if overloaded.

If this is true, my alternator will be fine.

Sounds like I will need separate circuitry for my existing standard lead-acid and the AGM if I purchase it.

Thanks, I am starting to understand and bound my problems here.
groundhog
 
#17 ·
Brian, I can only comment that construction practice and recommendations will vary, and while Blamar are well respected they are not an entire industry. I would be curious to hear from other folks who, if anyone, actually knows of a 140% fuse in their alternator output lead. Or similar fusible link--since there are still a number of those installations out there as well.
"We all know that will blow the diodes in the alternator. " Not necessarily so. Probable, and a reasonable assumption--but incorrect for a well designed modern alternator. There's no way to tell if you've got one, without checking the specs on it. (Or shutting the switch to see what blows?)

Groundhog, there are literally dozens if not hundreds of different regulator and alternator designs out there. Separate and integral. Some have what is called "crowbar" or "heroic" protection, some have internal protection diodes (so they can be disconnected while running without harm), others don't. Some have overheat protection, others don't. Some use PWM, others, again, don't.

There's all sorts of stuff out there and possibly the only safe presumption is that unless you know for sure what your system has and how it is set up, verified hands/eyes on, you can't assume it has any protections at all.

Some of that is engineering choices, i.e. alternators with internal spike protection are a nice concept--but they've gotten flack because spike protection wears out, and when it does, the alternator goes out with it. Some of it is older cheaper engineering. Mostly, it is called "Does anyone who buys this new boat really care about the alternator, rather than the price?"
 
#18 ·
I've written a short primer on Solar Power on Boats, and think you might want to read that. While regulating the alternator is a good idea, IMHO, it isn't as important as having a decent solar panel setup with a proper charge controller-unless you plan on motoring a lot. :) If you have your boat on a mooring or a dock that doesn't have shorepower, solar power can really save a lot of damage to the batteries. I keep my boat on a mooring and the solar panel setup on it allows me to run my refrigerator and keeps the batteries topped off most of the time without issue.

Unfortunately, mixing battery chemistries is a bad idea, and that will be a problem. You could use a duocharge unit to regulate the charging voltage to the starting battery and feed it off the house bank, and use a solar charge controller to prevent the solar panel from frying the house bank.

However, IMHO, you need a bigger solar panel. :)

I appologise in advance for starting yet another topic of this sort.
I have been searching and reading previous posts on this topic, and my brain hurts.

I have a very simple set-up. Small boat, 27 foot. Two 12v batteries. Manual 1-2-both-off switch.

I killed one battery last year and want to buy a new one.
I am thinking AGM. I want to pull this battery out and sometimes use it as double duty for my dingy electric motor.

I also have a 5 watt solar panel.

I don't want to kill more batteries.

My questions..
-Switching to an AGM (group 31 is the largest that fits into my bilge area), will my automotive alternator (with built in regulator, i think) burn up?
-Can anyone suggest a charge controller that will fit my simple needs of handling the charge profile of the existing lead-acid battery and the new
AGM, keep my alternator happy, and switch in the solar panel?

thanks,
groundhog
 
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