T&T: 12 volt Charging options

[Jeff Barfett]

Helping a friend with his newly purchased previously used boat.
The electrical system contains:

* 400 + Amp Hours of AGMS -
*Trace 2.5KW Inverter with internal 125 amp charger that is adjusted for the
AGMS
*5KW Westerbeake 3cyl 1800 RPM generator - 250 hours
*Perkins 4-108 main engine with Balmar 120 AH alternator with ASCII external
regulator.

Trace does a nice job of charging and keeping up with the load with
shorepower.

Westerbeake has a hard time getting the Trace to fully charge the bats
without running for hours and hours. Think this has to do with the peak RMS
power that it puts out, which is less than commercial power and some
efficiency numbers. Too bad about this, if the Westerbeake could drive the
Trace it would make short work of charging the batteries. * Tried unloading
everything but the Trace on the generator and still no joy - Charger has a
load of 22 amps at full tilt (at least when on shorepower)

Thoughts about the following modifications?

Perkins and the 125 amp Balmar do a good job of charging, but is very
lightly loaded when using it for charging only. Thought we could refit the
Westerbeake with a 125AH Balmar and use it when anchored out, could drive
the alternator and give some number of 110 amps and drive the generator at a
85% load for efficiency and long life. Heat exchanger for fresh hot water is
on the generator as well.

Thoughts?