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Help With System Upgrade

Kennneee

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Joined
Nov 8, 2020
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Hi All- I am going to upgrade the charging system on an outboard powered boat with a 30amp alternator. The existing system has a AGM Start battery and a separate AGM house battery with a BlueSea ADD A BATTERY MINI PLUS which includes a 10amp shore power charger with a built in ACR and a 3 position battery switch (OFF, ON, BOTH).
https://www.bluesea.com/products/7655/Mini_Add-A-Battery_Plus_Kit_-_65A_[North_America]

Since I plan to keep the existing AGM start battery and replace the house battery with a 100amp Lithium and add a 100watt solar panel, some changes need to be made. I have already purchased a Victron BMV712 to monitor the batteries.
I would like to keep the BlueSea shore power charger and battery switch. I intend to disconnect the House battery from the charger and use it to just keep the start battery topped off at the dock. My impression is that the best way to keep the AGM Start and Lithium battery happy would be to add a DC- DC charger to the system.
One suggestion that looks easy and makes sense is to add a Renogy DCC30s DC-DC charger with MPPT and be done. It has also been suggested to stay with all Victron components and use a Orion TR SMart 12/12-18 Isolated and a Victron Blue Solar MPPT 15 amp Solar controller. I read that the Renogy will trickle charge the start battery once the house battery is topped. Not sure if the Victorn will do this. Is there any real advantage to having the system stay all Victron? Since I am new to solar and these components I am relying on good advice that I hope I can get on this forum.
Any help appreciated. Existing system below.
Ken
Ken9EDB8BFC-2749-48DB-97C3-3D03010A3D84.png
 
Last edited:
... I am relying on good advice that I hope I can get on this forum....

Ken, I can't say if my advice is any good or not. But, it's well meant and free! ;-)

You do see a lot of Renogy products in RVs, but I suspect some boaters prefer Victron for reliability. The question I generally ask myself is how important is reliability in that component (most RVers can probably walk a lot farther than they can swim and I bet RV towing is cheaper than boat towing ;-). If the worse case is you have to hand-crank to start the outboard, might not be a big deal. So, I tend not to skimp on anything that can harm my investment (e.g., low voltage protection, maintenance meters) or me (e.g., over-current protection, wiring).
 
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