We have a separate lithium house bank of 720ah which are all charged by our solar, multiplus and 2 x Orion’s when the engines are running which obviously are charging the engine batteries but when we are idle in a marina the multiplus looks after the lithium but we have no charge or anything looking after the 2 x separate start batteries, so what do people do? Do you have a small trickle charger for the start batteries or are they just left to their own, what are other options, just curious.
Some versions of the Multiplus have a trickle charger built in. This only works if the starter and engine batteries are the same voltage (both 12V or both 24V). See the linked FAQ. Care is needed if the domestic bank is lithium because in some cases this could be problematic, the FAQ covers these.
I used to use the Multiplus trickle charger when I had lead acid domestic batteries but now I have swapped to lithium I have changed to an Ablemail trickle charger. As this can cater for lithium and is properly voltage controlled. Many of the trickle chargers like Votronic and Van Blitz are just a current limiter/diode circuit like the Multiplus circuit so have the same limitations.
Maybe an Orion XS going from the house battery to the starter battery. Use the Orion’s remote on/off to turn it on when there is AC shore power coming into the Multiplus.
If you use node-red you can monitor AC in and when there no AC the relay on the GX device will open turning off the remote switch and when there is AC in the relay will be closed.
Flow
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