Charge to battery or distribution panel?

Discussion in 'OnBoard Electronics & Controls' started by 23feet, Jun 20, 2018.

  1. 23feet
    Joined: Dec 2014
    Posts: 73
    Likes: 11, Points: 8, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Bay Area

    23feet Junior Member

    Hello,
    I have charge cables from my solar panel and outboard alternator attached directly to my batteries. It is messy with cables in the battery compartment. I would like to attach the charge cables to my distribution panel, instead of into the battery box, as this would be much neater and would reduce the number of cables going to the battery. Is this a bad idea - is there any real problem with introducing the charge to the distribution panel instead of directly to the batteries? Seems to me it is all part of the same circuit?

    Thanks in advance,
    Roger
     
  2. BlueBell
    Joined: May 2017
    Posts: 2,684
    Likes: 959, Points: 113
    Location: Victoria BC Canada

    BlueBell . . . _ _ _ . . . _ _ _

    There shouldn't be but do some research regarding your particular components and the distance between everything ie the cable run lengths.
     
  3. 23feet
    Joined: Dec 2014
    Posts: 73
    Likes: 11, Points: 8, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Bay Area

    23feet Junior Member

    The outboard charge output never goes above mid 13 volts (Tohatsu 6hp alternator). The solar panel is 20W through a PWM controller. All runs are short (<15 feet) through 14 AWG wires.
     
  4. gonzo
    Joined: Aug 2002
    Posts: 16,790
    Likes: 1,714, Points: 123, Legacy Rep: 2031
    Location: Milwaukee, WI

    gonzo Senior Member

    At 13V the batteries are not getting a full charge. They need over 14V.
     

  5. BlueBell
    Joined: May 2017
    Posts: 2,684
    Likes: 959, Points: 113
    Location: Victoria BC Canada

    BlueBell . . . _ _ _ . . . _ _ _

    <15 feet in one direction or both?
    There may be something wrong with your voltage regulator.
    You should be seeing over 14 v when charging.
     
Loading...
Similar Threads
  1. sdowney717
    Replies:
    13
    Views:
    1,882
  2. Vulkyn
    Replies:
    54
    Views:
    7,860
  3. Giorgos
    Replies:
    2
    Views:
    3,357
  4. 23feet
    Replies:
    2
    Views:
    2,010
  5. CRAMAR
    Replies:
    6
    Views:
    6,093
  6. sdowney717
    Replies:
    36
    Views:
    8,031
  7. missinginaction
    Replies:
    0
    Views:
    1,044
  8. Vulkyn
    Replies:
    14
    Views:
    2,632
  9. HelicopterJohn
    Replies:
    1
    Views:
    1,616
  10. L'eau.Life
    Replies:
    45
    Views:
    8,107
Forum posts represent the experience, opinion, and view of individual users. Boat Design Net does not necessarily endorse nor share the view of each individual post.
When making potentially dangerous or financial decisions, always employ and consult appropriate professionals. Your circumstances or experience may be different.