[C320-list] FW: Re: Xantrex charger - battery bank setup withstartbattery

[John Frost]

Thanks Karl. I just got to look at the photos this morning and they really
helped. I'm on my way to St Louis this morning to see my new boat in person
and meet with the installer of all my new "toys". His banker will soon love
me.

Best Regards,
John Frost


-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Karl Mielenhausen
_/) 
Sent: Friday, October 19, 2007 8:49 AM
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] FW: Re: Xantrex charger - battery bank setup
withstartbattery


John,

Congrats on the purchase of a new C320!!!

I added a Walmart Maxx 1N battery as a starter, just forward of where my
4D's were. About the same time, I converted the 4D's to golf car batteries
(you will probably do that when your 4D's die in 4-5 years).

The stock 4D's are a combination battery, not designed for true deep cycle,
like golf car batteries are.

I took the easy wiring solution and utilized the existing "1-2-Both" battery
switch. I put the starter battery on #2 and the house bank (all 4 golf car
batteries) on #1. My Xantrex charger has 2 legs, so one goes to the starter
battery and the other to the house bank. All batteries need to be the same
type (ie. lead acid, AGM, etc) for this to work but the charger seems to do
a good job of dividing its output to charge the bank that needs it the most,
which is in my case, always the house bank. In fact, I leave the battery
selector on #1 for engine starting and alternator charging, and hold the
starting battery in reserve IF the house bank will not start the engine.

One option you might consider, especially if you plan on a lot of cruising
and anchoring out, would be a better alternator/regulator. My stock Hitachi
55 amp with its internal regulator is pretty anemic when it comes to
"refilling" the 440 AH house bank. I'm sure I get a decent output for only a
few minutes and then it drops down to avoid overcharging. A smart, 3-stage
external regulator coupled with a 100 A alternator would be much better. Or
you could buy a portable Honda generator and run the 120VAC onboard battery
charger when you get to anchor!!!

Dig around the Photo Gallery for more ideas....

http://www.catalina320.com/gallery/album86

http://www.catalina320.com/gallery/6-Volt-Batteries-and-Solar-Panel

http://www.catalina320.com/gallery/album72

http://www.catalina320.com/gallery/StartingBattShelf

http://www.catalina320.com/gallery/album31



Karl Mielenhausen

2000 C320 Hull#690 "Silver Lining"

New Bern, NC

http://pages.suddenlink.net/kmielen/

From: John Frost [mailto: john at frostnet.net]

To: c320-list at catalina320.com

Date: Wed, 17 Oct 2007 08:58:39 -0500

Subject: Re: [C320-list] Xantrex charger - battery bank setup with
startbattery



I would like to add a starting battery to my new 320. Where have you
folksfound to be a good place for a third battery and what size and
switching didyou use?Best Regards,John Frost(256) 650-0335 -----Original
Message-----From:
c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com[mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com]
On Behalf Of amshd2 at aol.comSent: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 9:55 AMTo:
c320-list at catalina320.comSubject: Re: [C320-list] Xantrex charger - battery
bank setup withstartbatteryPhilI have the set up you described with a
Xantrex Freedom 20 and 27 group startbattery and 2 4Ds. The 4Ds are wired
together and charge together.? It worksgreat. I also have a
keyed?isolator/Eng kill ?switch for the?start battery.?When at anchor or
sailing I?turn it off.?This way I do not draw from thestart battery except
for starting.??The switch?helps in case a guest does something to run
the?batteries?downover night.?I run the refer 24/7 as long as the ?boat is
in the?water.? I run the referon the hook 
but do turn it do to around 2 or 3 and take along some ice.?Will motoring I
turn it back up all the way. Tony  -----Original Message-----From:
sholdr at aol.comTo: c320-list at catalina320.comSent: Tue, 16 Oct 2007 10:44
amSubject: [C320-list] Xantrex charger - battery bank setup with start
batteryAm changing to Xantrex charger and replacing my 2? 4D house batteries
andadding a start battery -- It seems since the Xantrex has 3 channels it
would bebest to charge each battery separately but combine the house
batteries (Position 2)?(automatically if possible) when in use keeping the
start battery separate(Position 1) except in an emergency (Both).? We are on
a lake,overnight occasionally, no A/C, when at dock run the Refer on shore
power.? Is it possible/necessary/preferable to separately charge the 2 house
batteries oris this more trouble than it's worth?ThanksPhil HansenCamelot
#322________________________________________________________________________
Email and AIM finally 
together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! -
http://mail.aol.com_________________________________________________________
_______________Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free
AOL Mail! -http://mail.aol.com

_______________________________________________