Automatic Charging Relay - An Alternative to Multiple Output Charging Systems

June, 23 2006

What do you do when the number of battery banks on your boat is greater than the number of charging outputs from your system′s battery charger, and you want to provide a charge to all batteries? How do you design a boat electrical system that charges two battery banks without adding the cost of a dual output charger? Instead of upgrading your charging system, or installing a system with multiple outputs, install an automatic charging relay (ACR). The cost of a charging system with multiple outputs is considerably more expensive than one with single output, making the installation of the ACR a less expensive option.

For example, consider a typical marine electrical system with two battery banks, a battery charger with one output, and an alternator. To charge both battery banks from your single output charger, connect the ACR between the battery banks. Connect the alternator to charge battery 1 (start battery), and connect the charger to charge battery 2 (house battery). When the charger is charging battery 2, the ACR will combine battery 2 and battery 1 for charging. When the alternator is charging battery 1, the ACR will connect battery 1 and battery 2, and both batteries will be charged. With the installation of the ACR, when at dock and plugged into shore power, the charger is supplying a charge to both battery banks; when the engine is running, the alternator is charging both battery banks.

Similarly, if you are adding an auxiliary battery to power a windlass, you can connect the auxiliary battery through an ACR to a battery bank that is attached to a charger. In this way, you are able to charge an additional battery bank without upgrading the charger to one with multiple outputs.

The ACR automatically connects batteries during the charging cycle and disconnects them under discharge.

When combined with Blue Sea Systems Dual Circuit Plus™ Battery Switch (PN 5511e), the SI ACR model fully automates the charging of two batteries. The combination of the Dual Circuit Plus™ Battery Switch and ACR provides a practical and less expensive solution to manage:

  • Isolated battery circuits
  • Emergency parallel backup operation
  • Automated charge management

Simply turn the battery switch to the ON position when arriving on the boat, and turn it to the OFF position when leaving. You no longer have to worry about which batteries are charging or discharging.

Before replacing your charger or inverter/charger, consider the benefits of an ACR; and for a fully automatic system, add a Dual Circuit Plus™ Battery Switch.

NoticeYou have cookies disabled. — Bluesea.com requires cookies to provide you full functionality. Many features of the site will not function until cookies are enabled. — Read Privacy Policy
NoticeYou are using an outdated browser. — Bluesea.com can not guarantee 100% compatability with your browser — Upgrade your browser