Blue Sea Systems: Add a Battery - Dual Circuit System

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localboy

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C Dory Year
2007
C Dory Model
25 Cruiser
Vessel Name
'Au Kai (Ocean Traveler)
http://www.fisheriessupply.com/prod...5595&keywords=battery+switch&km=scan&sb=brand

Any one use this? I'm buying a new deep cycle house battery (Dyno battery 31DCM) and my brother said this may be a good item to install at the same time. Basically, it takes the memory out of my hands re: switching between starter & house. Worth it? Good, bad..ugly?

The description says:
This combo pack of the 5511e battery switch and the 7610 SI-Series relay makes for hassle-free boating, by automatically performing the functions necessary to maintain battery charge levels so you can focus on enjoying the use of your boat.
• Simplifies battery bank switching and automates charging
• Dual Circuit Plus™ Battery Switch isolates engine and house circuits, and combines batteries for emergency starting
Click to expand...
 
I've used them on two boats and they seem to work well. The only downside is you can't just shut off one battery or battery bank. They are all on or all off. If you wanted to work on the house distribution bus, you would have to shut everything off. I am pretty sure that would shut your motor down also, even if it was running in many cases. The only way to decouple the house battery in that situation is by removing the cable at the terminal.
 
I believe you guys are looking at two brands of essentially the same product. They both deal with 2 "banks" and automatically keep the starting battery charged as the primary while keeping the second house battery in isolation to be discharged more deeply at will and maintain the ability to manually connect them. If there are already two banks on the boat, you may have the 1/2/both switch and only need the relay unit to manage the charging/discharging in a more hands-off fashion. The instructions for both relay-only units should allow for that option. Could another battery geek chime in if I am having an off 12v day?

Greg
 
Hi Greg, yes I know I in may case I could just add the relay, but I thought is was worth the cost of not having do do the separate wiring from the old switch to the relay and also i figure I will save some space with the one unit, be it very little. This unit is a dual relay, which will change the house backup charge battery, depending on the selection of the switch. Its probably a extra $40 the way i'm doing it verses, just going with the stand alone VSR relay and doing the wiring, but i'm Ok with that for the lack of hassel and some space saving.

Jim
 
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