Blue Seas add-a-battery 120a kit

[mraz72]

I have created a few threads on the same project, I am not sure if I should just stick to one thread or create new ones. If I stick to a single thread I feel like people see a few pages and don't feel like reading.

Anyway, I have all the cables, the kit and the battery. I was about to begin the project when I decided to call Blue Seas and ask if I was doing the right thing. The support person said I should not mix lead acid with an AGM battery

I thought that was one of the reasons for buying this kit, to have a starter battery and a house battery? I didn't realize they both had to have the same "charging profile" as he put it.

 

[SPCAS]

A lot of that has to do with charging more than actual use. If you are simply charging both from the Boat then (IMO) its not going to be an issue as the alternator will put out X volts and if one of the batteries is discharged more it will take more amps that the other.

If you are using an external charging setup for off-water then it gets a little more complicated as chargers can be setup for different battery builds and float charges.

 

[mraz72]

Can anyone else confirm? I don't want to have to buy another battery.

I was going to add a charger to the setup, but ChargerGuy said the batteries have to be the same type, that's what prompted me to call Blue Seas...

 

[mark_m]

Can anyone else confirm? I don't want to have to buy another battery.

I was going to add a charger to the setup, but ChargerGuy said the batteries have to be the same type, that's what prompted me to call Blue Seas...

I can confirm; my charger has switch for Agm/ lead acid. You may be able to find a charger that charges mixed

 

[mraz72]

not necessarily the charger, I am more concerened about the Add-a-battery kit. I guess the acr, which is hooked to both batteries, could be an issue.

 

[SPCAS]

If it's just an automatic charging relay...they just operate off the voltage and battery type will not matter. It simply senses when voltage goes above nominal (12.xx) to 13-14 (engine on and charging). It makes contact closure so that the higher voltage charge can go to both batteries.

 

[mraz72]

so others have 2 different battery types hooked up to the add a battery kit?