West Marine Combine/Overload module???

[csharp]

The West Marine module in question is located near my batteries. One red wire is connected to my engine battery, the other red wire to my house battery and the black to a ground connection. It has 2 green lights that light one at a time, one light is identified on the module as combined, the other as overload. I have one starting battery and two deep cycle house batteries that are piggy-backed togehter. So really a two battery system. I did disconnect this module today as it is the culprit that has been draining my batteries. With everything shut down, my Link 10 shows that the module was drawing -3.2 amps. Once I disconnected the module my Link 10 read 0.00. What is thiis modules function and can I run my system without it? Is it safe to run my engine without it? Do I need to replace it? I have searched through all of West Marine's catalog and can not find anything that looks like it. I just bought the boat, so I am not sure how old it is.What would I replace this with? Thanks!!

[colemj]

It is a battery combiner that connects your house and start batteries when a charging source is present and isolates them when it is not. If you were reading -3.2A when your batteries were above 13.1V, then it was probably working correctly and that 3.2A was charge current going to your starting battery. If it was reading -3.2A when your batteries were below 12.7V, then something is wrong with it.

The device itself should not be draining your batteries. Failed open, it will allow one set to go low without charging. Failed closed, it will parallel your banks and you will draw from both. While this could be the culprit, I would be looking for something else also.

West Marine no longer sells them. They were rebranded by West Marine from Yandina. Yandina has a lifetime warranty on them and will repair/replace for free (yandina.com).

It is safe to run the engine without it, but only the battery bank the alternator is connected to will be charged. If this is the start battery, then the house will never charge - and vice-versa.

Mark