On Fri, 13 May 2005 10:36:49 -0700, engsol
wrote:

I purchased a Xantrex TrueCharge 20+ for my boat. Since I only have two
batteries, I'm wondering about the advisabilty of using the third (unused)
charger output to run on-board 12 V 'stuff' while plugged into shore power.

What I visualize is a cable from the charger to a CB (CB1) switch, which then would
go to the primary DC breaker/disconnect (CB2)

charger ---CB1---CB2---DC Panel---Load
Batt---Bat SelSw-----^

Any pros/cons you see?

The charger can only put out 20 amps, which it will distribute among
the output terminals as needed - if you only have one output terminal
connected, it will get the full output of the charger.

Your extra switch to "make use" of the third output terminal is
unnecessary complexity. The charger will provide just as much power,
or will charge your batteries equally well, if you simply leave your
12 V "stuff" connected to the batteries, the same as if you were under
way or at anchor.


--
Peter Bennett, VE7CEI
peterbb4 (at) interchange.ubc.ca
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