I'm thinking of up grading my batteries and charging system. I find it frustrating to really have no idea as to how much charge my batteries have and what condition they are in. I run a four battery system in my 1992 Marin. Two engine and two house batteries. At idle my alternators put out about 10 volts and at speed a constant 12 volts. Other than that I have no information.
I keep my boat in the water year round hooked up to shore power and always have a 110 volt heater on.
I have gotten conflicting advice about leaving the battery charger on or off. I would like a system I could leave on without wrecking my batteries because my bilge pumps are 12 volt and I like the thought of them having full power.
I would also like a system where I could see how much power was in each battery ie. fully chargered, half drawn down etc.
What is the best set-up for a charger and what batteries should I use for engine batteries and what should I use for house batteries?
I keep my boat in the water year round hooked up to shore power and always have a 110 volt heater on.
I have gotten conflicting advice about leaving the battery charger on or off. I would like a system I could leave on without wrecking my batteries because my bilge pumps are 12 volt and I like the thought of them having full power.
I would also like a system where I could see how much power was in each battery ie. fully chargered, half drawn down etc.
What is the best set-up for a charger and what batteries should I use for engine batteries and what should I use for house batteries?