Battery Chargers/Inverters

[cs271614]

This is my first boat (CS27)with an inboard engine and I'm slightly confused about the electrical system - from what I gather the alternator (only working about 20 minutes per trip) will only replenish the crank battery. and does nothing for the house battery. When docked, the shore power operates the house requirements. If there is no shore power, then an inverter would be necessary. Otherwise, over time, the house battery will deplete. Unless charged often. So it looks like a charger is needed. Would an on board charger, or a portable charger be best? It would have to of course be 3 phased for the house battery. It seems to me a portable that could be used over the winter would be best. Does anyone have suggestions about a reliable brand/model? Have I got any of this right? Thanks

[Dan Paluzzi]

cs271614 ( a name would be nicer here) ;D

If you have a proper battery switch, you should be able to chose which battery the alternator is charging while the engine is running.

The switch I use is a blue seas systems 6011: bluesea.com/category/1/products/6011

This switch has an "on" position which switches both house and cranking battery on independently, and "combine" position which switches both on in parallel. In a pinch, I can use the "combine" position to charge the house battery as well with the alternator, although this is not the most desireable way to do it since without an isolator, the alternator will keep charging a long as one battery needs it, even if the other has a full charge, which in the long term, decreases battery life.

I have no "house requirements" that require 120v, (not while I'm away from dock anyway) therefore I have no need for an inverter. Everything on board operates at 12v, including my fridge.

I have an electronic charger hooked up to my house battery which is basically always on whenever the shorepower is plugged in. No need to hook it up to the cranking battery as we only use this to start the engine, and it recharges itself whenever the engine is running.

I'm not sure what "3 phased" means for a charger since any A/C voltage coming in to the boat from a dock is single phase.

A portable charger is a pain if you plan on doing any kind of cruising. You can never guarantee that it has a good connection with the "clamp" connectors that come with these.

The type of charger you decide to go with really depends on the intended use of your boat.

I need to know what kind of electronics you are using, what size house battery you have, and basically how long you intend to stay away from shore power.

I live in the Toronto area, and there are a few of us 27 owners here who are willing to help/share info. Gimme a cal if you wanna talk.