Electrical Condundrum

[Dockhead]

Our boat has two banks of 4 x 110ah x 12v each (for 220ah x 24v each). One bank runs the windlass, bow thruster, and winches. The other runs everything else. It doesn't make sense to keep them separate, and so we are combining them by running a wire (with fuse) between the positive terminals of the two banks.

Here's the conundrum: Can we just connect the two banks, and leave it at that? The main AC charger, a Newmar 40 amps (x 24v) unit, has two separate outputs, one of which is connected to each bank. The 110 amp (x 24v) Neville-Leese alternator (managed by an Adverc four-stage regulator) charges the two banks through a Driftgate low-loss diode splitter.

Do I need to dismantle all the dual bank charging gear? Or will it work ok just the way it is? After all, the two banks are still there, just connected with one simple wire.

[fishwife]

I remember reading that having two charging circuits connected to essentially the same bank invites the two of them to have a fight about which has charging rights. Or words to that effect. Someone who knows their Ohms from their Watts will no doubt explain it in more technical terms.

[djmarchand]

Yes it will work just fine. If the two banks are separated by quite a distance, you will need a fuse at each end of the new positive wire.

You can save a bit of voltage drop by removing the diode isolator.

David

[senormechanico]

I don't know about Newmar, but in a Xantrex charger with 3 outputs, there is only one power source with 3 diodes separating the banks. In effect, it's a battery isolator in the single output.
|---------------|<|------- + bat 1
|
+ source----------------|<|--------+ bat 2
|
|---------------|<|--------+ bat 3