Advice on Twin (In Board) Engine charging system?

[Sierra2]

Afternoon all

 

Had a Google but not much is coming up for a diagram for a charging system for charging a Starter and Domestic bank of batteries.

 

I'm assuming a VSR or Split Charging system can be used but not much is coming up and how to go about it.

 

Can anyone help?

 

Twin Diesel Engines with 70amp alternators, will be approx 330-440aH Domestic bank @12v and 220aH Starter bank in Parallel @12v supplying both engines. This is what I was planning but as its a rebuild anything can be changed at this stage

 

Chas

[ditchcrawler]

If running both engines why not charge domestics from one engine/alternator and the starter batteries from the other.

[Sierra2]

Aye it wpuld be simpler but knowing my luck sooner or later a engine will fail and one bank won't be getting any power. I'm planning a solar set up as well but would prefer both engines to be able to charge both banks when on the move.

[Alan de Enfield]

Aye it wpuld be simpler but knowing my luck sooner or later a engine will fail and one bank won't be getting any power.

 

Which is why keeping a Jump lead is a good idea. Just link the banks together and one engine / alternator will do the job of charging both banks.

 

Keep it simple, don't complicate things.

When things break, or fail, just have an alternative, simple, way of getting going again.

[ditchcrawler]

Aye it wpuld be simpler but knowing my luck sooner or later a engine will fail and one bank won't be getting any power. I'm planning a solar set up as well but would prefer both engines to be able to charge both banks when on the move.

But then you could temporarily join the banks and charge from one see http://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=84984&page=1only one engine but two alternators

[Chewbacka]

As 70 Amps is not a huge amount for your domestic batteries, is there room for a third small alternator for engine start charging - say 45 Amps and then use the other two for your domestic batteries

[Sea Dog]

As 70 Amps is not a huge amount for your domestic batteries, is there room for a third small alternator for engine start charging - say 45 Amps and then use the other two for your domestic batteries

I thought that, but my solution would combine your idea with Ditchcrawler's - I'd stick a decent domestic alternator on one engine in place of the 70a which would then become a spare for the other one and maybe a get me home back-up for the new big one depending on the pulley. Any engine hour disparity from alongside generator use could be balanced by single-shaft slow cruising.

[Boredrider]

Smartbank Advanced. That will put both alternators to both banks, when appropriate. It will also give you a decent battery monitor.

[Sierra2]

I've already fitted a 'link switch' between the Isolator switch for each bank as a back up, so no need for jump leads.

I'll check out the Advanced Smart Gauge now.

 

Thanks for the help gents

Chas

Edited June 1, 2016 by Sierra2