What was it Tolkien said

"Go not to the Elves for advice, for they will say both No and Yes"

Well the Elves of the newsgroup seem to have spoken.

Actually Nigel I think you've answered your own question - if you are
installing a 12V circuit to supply a VHF radio and "other things" then you
are going to want to install a switch panel, fuses on the circuits to the
radio (+other things etc). In other words you will be crawling over the
boat, cutting holes for the switch panel and the radio (+other things),
poking wires behind the furniture. Generally makeing a mess and getting bad
tempered and irritated - so you may as well do a complete job and put the
converter in.

Chances are once you have a 12V circuit - you are going to want to connect
more bits and bobs to it.

Just thought I'd throw my tuppence hapenth in.


"Nigel" wrote in message
...
I have a 24v electrical set up on my boat, but need a 12v supply for my
VHF
(amongst other things). Is there any reason why I can't just run a 12v
supply from just one of a pair of batteries, or do I need to use a 24v/12v
converter. I release this will draw charge from just one battery , but
won't
the other just top it up and there by drain them both equally
Thanks