Advanced Charging Protocols

摘要

Up to this point, we've considered a charging system using only the basic alternator supplied with most engines-a system that has worked well and continues to remain effective for many owners and operators. However, there are several improvements that can be implemented to increase efficiency of this system, make it more user-friendly, and still keep it reliable. All of the suggestions that follow are tried and proven designs that I've personally used aboard hundreds of boats, and they're illustrated on the cover of this supplement. While the traditional use of two identical batteries or battery banks using a multi-position, 1,2, BOTH, OFF power distribution switch may be familiar to many, there is room for improvement. Studies show that using a single battery bank for house loads and cycling it through approximately 50 percent discharge will yield the greatest amount of amp-hours2 over the life of the battery. This bank also becomes the primary recipient of charge current from any source-alternator, shore-power charger, or solar panels. In order to ensure the engine can be started under any circumstances, it should be given its own dedicated battery or battery bank. This bank, usually smaller than the house bank, remains electrically separate from the house bank under all but emergency starting needs, so there's no danger of waking up to a dead starting battery.