[Sentoa] Generator battery

[Bryan Genez]

Thanks to all for your input.

Responses seem to fall into one of the following categories:

1. Do nothing; the genset alternator is sufficient.  Carry jumper cables
when the inevitable happens.
2. Use a tap off the existing battery charger.
3. Add a Battery Combiner.
4. Add a new low-power ³float² charger.
5. Replace the existing charger with one that has ³echo charge² capability.

As I mentioned in my original post, solution 1 won¹t work for me.  I may end
up using the genset often enough to keep its battery charged, but so far,
that hasn¹t been the case.  While jumper cables are probably a good idea to
have aboard in an emergency, crawling around a NT 32 engine compartment,
where the engine and house batteries are on one side of the engine and the
genset battery is on the other, isn¹t on my list of favorite ways to go
boating.  Finally, engine starting batteries are typically not designed for
multiple deep discharges; rather, they¹re designed to deliver a lot of
current quickly.  Discharging shortens their life.  I¹d like to keep mine
topped off as much as possible.

Solutions 2, 3, and 4 are all possible.  I¹ll see what the factory gurus say
next week and advise.

Solution 5, while ideal, is monumentally more expensive and complex (unless
done as part of the original build), so that one is out.

Again, thanks everyone for your suggestions.

-- 
Best regards,
Bryan and Linda Genez
Sarayu  NT-32 #265
New Bern, NC


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