Logo
FULL SITE MENU

Two alternators can i run a jumper wirerun both to switch

R

rich_b

Contributing Member
i have two one wire alternator

i have two one wire alternators.can i wire a jumper wire from one alternator to the second alternator than to my battery.second question.can i wire both alternators to my four way switch so if i am on #1 one gets charged and if i am on # 2 two gets charged.any advice will be considered.i will have a 400 amp battery bank on #1 and #2.i am trying to charge batteries without using a combiner or a isolator.how can i wire two 60 amp alternators to get 120 amps.
 
"[b]"how can i wire two 60

""how can i wire two 60 amp alternators to get 120 amps."

Ayuh,.......
Possibly with a "a combiner or a isolator.".........

Generally speaking,.....
The Alt.s can't be wired together, in Any Way.....
If 1 can "See" the other,.... It Won't Charge......
Altenators only produce whatever amperage that is called from it.....
What is the Load you have that requires 120Amps...??....

Btw,.....
More Amperage Doesn't charge batteries Quicker,....
A Battery can only take a limited amperage,....
It takes Time at amperage to charge a Battery....."
 
"Rich:

Bondo is right on ev

"Rich:

Bondo is right on everything. The outputs of separate alternators have to be separated or isolated electronically from one another. If you have 2 banks of batteries consisting of 2 batteries per bank and you are operating their outputs via a battery switch, then let each alternator charge one bank.

Are you connecting the 2 batteries in each bank in series for 24 VDC or parallel for 12 VDC?

Either way you go, the batteries have to be fed from the 12 VDC alternator separately with an isolator in order to charge them both at the same time. Parallel connected batteries have to be isolated from one another or they will become parasitic on each other; that is where the combiner brings them together for a single output.

My suggestion is to change to a single 120 amp alternator connected to a pair of charging isolators to charge the 4 batteries separately.
The battery outputs can then be combined in pairs and connected to a 2 battery switch. Keep in mind that the alternator's output wire gauge will need to be changed to match the 120 amp output. Each bank of batteries will have 200 amps of 12 VDC available to use and will also need wiring to match its output.

You are damn near close to being able to weld with your battery setup so be careful and VENT the storage locker in the bow to get rid of the gases from charging the batteries.

I would use welding cable due to its high current carrying fine multistrand wire. Your connecting COPPER LUGS need to be soldered or crimped with a hydraulic crimper.

Your ground wires can be jumped from one battery to another and the final connection made at the engine block. COPPER LUGS must be used on each connection.

I'll try to draw a schematic to show how to hook them together. Get with the alternator supplier to determine the wire gauge it will require."
 
"Here is w/a 4 way switch and

"Here is w/a 4 way switch and NO combiners<center><table border=1><tr><td>http://www.marineengine.com/discus/icons/mime_msword.gif""" align=left alt=""application/msword"">4 way
[url=""][b]BATTERY 4 WAY.doc[/b][/url] (29.7 k)</td></tr></table></center>"
 
"Here is w/a 2 way sw3itch and

"Here is w/a 2 way sw3itch and combiner<center><table border=1><tr><td>http://www.marineengine.com/discus/icons/mime_msword.gif""" align=left alt=""application/msword"">2 way
[url=""][b]BATTERY 2 WAY.doc[/b][/url] (30.2 k)</td></tr></table></center>"
 
"i was going to parallel 2 bat

"i was going to parallel 2 batteries on switch #1 and parallel 2 batteries on switch #2.these are 200 amp hour each agm heavy duty marine batteries. guy g you know the batteries i have.i have a switch with 1-2-off-1&2.just trying to figure out how to charge them the fastest-easiest way.these batteries will take everything i can throw at them.a isolator will not charge them to their full potential.i dont know about combiners.but i do have a brand new 140 amp isolator that hooks to 2 batteries.it has three studs (#1battery-alternator-#2 battery)but i have been reading the isolator drops ? and wont charge the battery the same way as if it was hooked to the alternator.just trying to figure out how to charge and keep charged 4 batteries by the alternator.should i put them all on single switches and if i do it will take a week to charge three batteries up by the alternator.(HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE).i store my boat in a sand pit.there is no power there so i am trying to keep the batteries charged at all times in my boat by the alternator.I KNOW LIFE ISN'T FAIR BUT I AM DISABLED AND CANT MOVE TO GOOD AT ALL.BUT I LOVE TO GO FISHING AND DRIVE THE BOAT SO MY BUDDY'S CAN CATCH FISH.I HAVE 1/2 LUNG.1 1/2 ARE BAD AND I CANT BREATHE.HELL I CANT EVEN REEL THE SUNOFBITCHES IN.BUT I LOVE TO EAT THEM. AND EAT EM. AND EAT EM.I JUST BOUGHT RADAR THIS YEAR FOR THE BOAT.why you ask.quincy,mass fishing for stripers.we wanted to stay out all night and fish.yup we did.what a feeling to hear and FEEL mobil 1 barge (dammm big sofofabitch)go by you 100 feet away in the fog.and you cant see him.i thought we were dead.i waited for the bow to smash right in to us.but what the hell we had a ton of stripers.they were the best fish i did ever taste.but live and learn ,and i dont want to learn how to burn up $1600.00 in batteries,switches,alternators,wiring,isolators,and maybe even the boat.hell i want a bigger boat so i can buy more stuff my buddys can use to fish and i can foot the bill. WHAT ARE FRIENDS FOR."
 
Richard I would think at minim

Richard I would think at minimum you would need a high amp charging alternator set up correctly to handle four banks. Also it is your friends that are lucky.
 
"you are right about isolators

"you are right about isolators , i removed mine and the batteries charge mucyh better ."
 
"Rich:

I love striper fishi

"Rich:

I love striper fishing; all I get is reservior stripers that lay in 60' - 100' of water year round and surface after forcing the shad up in the spring to attack them--what a sight and you catch them as fast as you can cast. A 3 pounder will jerk the rod right out of your hand when trolling.

I am not an expert on charging batteries but in theory you could tie them together in parallel w/o isolation and they should only take the amount of charge needed using an alternator system since it only puts out a charge when asked. I still think a 120 amp alt. is the way to go vs. two 60 amp alts. However, w/2 alts. you can separate the batteries into pairs. If your engine idles alot while fishing the alts. should put out sufficient charge for them. But now you are getting into "short cycling" deep cycle batteries. Is that a problem w/your batteries? Not sure.

My other suggestion is to purchase solar battery chargers capable of charging them all over 24-48 hours. Perhaps it is time to contact your battery manufacturer for advice.

You need to get yourself an electric wind fishing reel so you can get in on the action too.

I was fishing in a 14' 10 hp skiff once at the mouth of a channel on the Great Lakes Seaway at Sualt Saint Marie. The channel was only wide enough for a freighter. The 1,000' freighter snuck up behind us drawing the water down by 10'-20' and nearly sucked the skiff into the churning prop. I prayed alot for a few minutes as the 10 hp outboard was wide open and still was being pulled to the prop. Learned a valuable lesson."
 
Back
Top