Battery combiner

[Stardust]

Could you tell me where the battery combiner might be located. And any information about disabling.

 

[BB marine]

Are you asking where the cross over switch is ? This is located on the aft wall going into the cave.

I do not have a picture of the cross over switch. This picture shows house switch (right in picture) next is thruster switch, the next switch not shown is the cross over switch. This switch combines the House batteries to the engine battery when in the on position. When in the off position the batteries are isolated. It is a mechanical disconnect of the two battery circuits.

 

[Andrew Custis]

Good morning Stardust,

Brian has answered the question about the parallel switch but if you are looking for the Charge Relay's, those are located behind the wall just below those switches. There are two of them on your boat. Because they don't run through any switches, the only way to disconnect them would be too remove one of the wires off the combiner you are looking to isolate.

Happy New Year!

 

[Stardust]

Thank you for your answer. That’s exactly what I’m looking for. I’m just trying to separate the house batteries from the starter and thruster battery. Do you know at what voltage the relays open. Is there a picture of these relays anywhere that I can access. Can you see any problems by disconnecting the relay While you’re at anchor.

 

[BB marine]

SI-ACR Automatic Charging Relay - 12/24V DC 120A Combine 30 sec 13.6V @ 12 V, Combine 90 sec 13.0V @ 12 V. , Open 10 sec 12.35V @ 12 V., Open 30 sec 12.75V @ 12 V, Under Voltage Lockout 9.5 @ 12V
Removing the small ground lead off the relay will disable the relay. I'm not sure why you would want to do this. If you disable the relays the thruster battery or house batteries will not charge from the engine alternator. Go on line Blue Sea system, SI-ACR Charging relay there is a full description of the operation.
The small yellow ground wire shown in picture. This is a picture of the relay.

 

[Stardust]

I installed lithium ion batteries for the house bank. There voltage never goes below 13 so the relays won’t Open. On the blue seas website they actually show a switch on the ground wire. I really appreciate the help and the fast reply.

 

[jagizzi]

What charger are you using for the Li-Ion batteries?


Jim

 

[Stardust]

The one that came with the boat is a promariner. Pronautic 1220p.

 

[stwendl]

There are a couple of threads about this on the site. The ACRs have 3 extra connectors besides the battery connection. One of the connectors is ground, one is for a remote led and the middle one is for an inhibit input from to disable the function of the acr. This inputs are meant for a remote control switch with exception of the ground which must be connected for normal function

 

[BB marine]

I installed lithium ion batteries for the house bank. There voltage never goes below 13 so the relays won’t Open. On the blue seas website they actually show a switch on the ground wire. I really appreciate the help and the fast reply.

A simple switch installation on the House SI-ACR Relay ground lead will disable the relay. The switch requirement would be minimal. The only requirement I would have is waterproof. The ground lead requires a 1amp fuse which isn't installed in the Cutwater installation. Knowing this requirement tells that the switch requirement is minimal for amp load so an inexpensive waterproof switch will fulfill the requirement.

I am interested in the ION battery install. Did you install the same batteries for cranking and thruster? If not how do you charge the batteries with the Pronautic 1220. What setting are you using?

The toggle on/off switch installed at the SI-ACR relay would actually benefit while shore power charging too. This would allow the charger to maintain battery banks Engine, Thruster, and house individually. I'm not sure how much that matters if using flooded batteries ( I use maintenance free flooded 3 year throw away's) If using expensive dry cell or ion it may have some merit.

 

[Stardust]

Thanks Brian very useful and information. I just installed them for the house batteries. They don’t recommend them for starting batteries. Same charging Requirements as the AGM’s. I installed battery born lithium ion batteries out of Reno Nevada. Very helpful people there. Theoretically I have 25% more amperage at half the weight. I just installed them and I’ve been anchored out three days, so far I’m pretty impressed.