Engine battery charging

[CAArias]

Hi


Forgive my ignorance but hopefully it wont last too long.



My engine battery died today which was a surprise to me because i thought it was charged along with my house bank when I was connected to shore power. I purchased a 1985 Bristol 41.1 a couple years ago and I am still learning its intricacies. My house bank is backed up by shore power, solar and an alternator, yet my engine, which I think would take a higher roll in the battery hierarchy, has only one means of charging, when the engine is on.


My question is/are, is this typical? if it is, what is the reasoning? If it is not, is it advisable to add the engine battery to the existing charging system.


I look forward to hearing your thoughts and advise.

[Sailmonkey]

First, you need to trace out your wires. How is the start battery charged? By what mechanism?

Second, of in fact all of your charging sources go directly to the house bank, this is good. An acr or an echo charger will easily take care of the engine battery

[sailorboy1]

I don’t know if it is normal, but:

My start battery has the higher charging level. If my start battery switch is On everything that charges the house bank charges the start battery. Plus the start battery has a small solar panel and controller that only charges it.

This is the OEM factory setup my 2001 boat.

[Stu Jackson]

Perhaps it would help to describe "how thing work" and then you can go check to see what is actually installed on your boat:


OEM 1-2-B Switch Wiring History Alternator/Batteries & "The Basic" 1-2-B Switch BEST Wiring Diagrams


The WHY of what is actually there is something none of us can answer, none knowing what previous owners may have done.


Good luck.


PS The link comes from here, which may help if you need more info Electrical Systems 101