In article ,
ray wrote:

Personally, the next time I make major mods to our battery banks, the
starting battery will be directly connected to the alternator, the house
banks connected to that battery with a simple on/off switch.

But this is advised against as well, if I understand your suggestion,
because to charge the house batteries you are charging in parallel- in
my case a 12v starting battery and 2, 6v 110ah golf cart type.
Whichever set is depleted drags the others down and both sets charge
at different rates with different curves. I don't think my setup is
all that uncommon for coastal cruisers.

Not a problem if they can stand the same nominal alternator voltage, as
they won't be paralleled for very long, all things considered. You might
get a momentary "bump" as the starting battery boosts the house at
first, but it'll be replaced almost immediately.

We also have solar dedicated to the house bank, so I hardly ever need to
charge that bank with the engine.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/