Battery Equalizer/balancer

[redbopeep]

Anyone used a battery equalizer? More specifically, anyone here ever built a battery equalizer for their 32V (or 24V) electrical needs? We're noting that the inexpensive DC-DC converter chip LM5115 ratings match up with specs for equalizers sold in the solar marketplace. Seems like this shouldn't be too hard. What am I missing here?

Reason for the equalizer: Though we have 12V lights, electronics, and some 12V appliances--we've also got good quality 32V equipment already on the boat as she was 32V for many years. In addition to the 32V charger/charge controller for use with shore power and a high capacity 32V alternator...the windlass, several Rule bilge pumps, pressure water, deck washdown pump, etc are all 32V.

Final reason--don't want to worry about having to keep each battery in a bank with same cell capacities as other batteries in the bank--but yet want them all charged and discharged together.

[MMNETSEA]

Hi Brenda,

I will ask my Marine Elec/Electronics Guru for his ideas - he is often building equalizers.

? ; I presume your engine and generator start batteries are separated from the house batteries ?

Richard

[redbopeep]

Originally Posted by MMNETSEA

Hi Brenda,

I will ask my Marine Elec/Electronics Guru for his ideas - he is often building equalizers.

? ; I presume your engine and generator start batteries are separated from the house batteries ?

Richard

Richard, at the moment we don't have a battery bank We're putting it together. We do have two Deep Cycle AGM 105 batteries that we'll likely use as start batteries rather than put them in the house bank (which will be regular wet cells).

Short term, we'll be running the 32V appliances, alternator, and charger as well as the 12V appliances, alternator, and charger. We expect to use 2 12V batteries and one 8V battery to get the 32V. Originally, hubby was planning on going to 36V (3 12V batteries in the house bank) when he thought that all we had 32V was the windlass (which can run on 36V) but when we started cataloging all the 32V stuff in the storage unit, we realized it would be silly not to use it all. We expect to have to draw 24V as well so that makes the need for more than just a 12/32 equalizer.

Finally, longer-longer term, we will be putting in a 48V electric drive for in-port maneuvering and also use as a prop-shaft generator. So, our house bank will ultimately be, ummm....48V. That's why hubby was thinking 36V initially as he'd just add another 12V to get to 48.

There are some details of putting together the circuit--like shutdown when away from the boat so it doesn't drain itself constantly trying to "equalize" among other things. Look forward to what your guru says about equalizers

Regards,

Brenda