[Public-List] Batteries, solar panel.

[Justin Riddle]

I have two group 31 agm batteries in parallel in the battery tray, then I
added a starter battery in a box in the galley cupboard. This is in hull
#498 a liner boat and I've been very happy with the configuration.
To charge the house bank I use a 100 watt solar panel with a Victron
Bluesolar MTTP 75/15 charge controller.
This setup has worked very well for us as "full time cruisers". The house
bank gets topped up every day in the FL sun, it keeps the ice box holding
plate frozen and our devices charged. In cloudy weather we can last about
three days before I use the alternator to charge the bank. Otherwise I just
let the engine charge the starter battery when I start her up.

Justin
Hiraeth #498

On Sat, Aug 4, 2018, 4:55 PM Marcelo D. Gentinetta via Public-List <
public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:

> My present batteries are approximately 2 years old. So if I add a second
> house battery and alternate the two as you mention, do I then need to add a
> second battery selection switch?
>
> > On Aug 4, 2018, at 3:20 PM, Greg Hounsell via Public-List <
> public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
> >
> > Marcelo;
> >
> > Your house and start battery, from how you describe it, going through the
> > battery selector switch are not "in parallel" unless the switch is set to
> > "both". In terms of this discussion I would think of them as separate
> banks.
> >
> > Before adding a second house battery, how old and used is the one you
> have?
> > The reason asking is that adding a new battery in parallel to an older
> > battery can potentially shorten the new battery's life if there is more
> > than say a couple years difference. An older battery slowly over time
> loses
> > it's capacity to reach 100% charge, nor hold charge as easily as a new
> > battery. If, say the existing battery can only ever be charged to 90%
> then
> > when you connect the new battery to it they will try to equalize. The
> > weaker drawing down the newer.
> >
> > If you are not using them in parallel but as separate banks they can be
> > placed where most convenient. Some people do this and alternate which
> > battery gets used each day as the other gets charged.
> >
> > Cheers
> > Greg
> >
> >
> > On Sat, Aug 4, 2018, 3:14 PM Marcelo D. Gentinetta via Public-List <
> > public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
> >
> >> I agree with Michael that you can over analyze everything.
> Unfortunately,
> >> I have an analytical mind so it is a battle!.
> >> I am trying to keep the system as simple as possible though and trying
> to
> >> learn more about the whole process. Greg’s explanations have been very
> >> helpful. This brings me to another question. If you added a second house
> >> battery, where would you locate it in a liner boat and would it be in
> >> parallel to the present house battery which is already in parallel to
> the
> >> starting battery?
> >>
> >>
> >>
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