Dual Battery Charging

[Wakeman22]

I have a 2007 24ve with dual batteries and an ACR. My question is can I put a charger to the center post of the ACR and it charge both batteries or is this a bid idea and will damage something? I have been wondering this for many years while the boat is stored over the winter.

[chpthril]

The ideal solution is a dual bank marine on-board charger. What model ACR do you have? Most only have 2 main posts, so a center post really does not exist. Most are bi-directional, so charge level voltage on either side will close the ACR, combining the banks. But not all. If the charger operates within a safe 12V system range, then it should not damage any of the components, as long as your connection point normally sees alternator or battery voltage.

[sandm]

Chp is MUCH MUCH smarter than me when it comes to the acr switches but can say that on all of my last 3 tiges and my supra that had the 1/2/off switches I used a promariner prosport 20 2 bank and ran to each battery. they can be had in the $125 range and so far 4 of them have performed flawlessly. here in vegas I haven't ever removed a battery.

[boonecragun]

Get a promariner prosport. worth the investment.

[Wakeman22]

I will have to check it out for the model. It is the one that came in the boat. I thought it had three. One from the alternator in the center and one to each battery. I will have to check that out. I have always wondered if this would work without buying a dual bank on board charger. If not is there a dual bank charger that you would recommend? It is a PITA while the boat is covered and in storage to access it easily.

[chpthril]

I got it know, your boat has the diode type isolator, which differs from an auto combining relay. So yes, you can connect the charger's B+ clamp to the center alternator post, charger's B- clamp to one of the battery NEG posts, and it will charge both banks same as the alternator would.