New Shore Power and BEP Cluster

[Postal719]

Hey Folks,

My shore power unit took a crap, and I am thinking about dialing in my battery bank set up.



Current Set Up (2820 with Daul 250 Outboards and lives in a slip most of the year):

1. Powermania Turbo M220Vs - 2 Bank Charger
2. 4 New AGM Dual Purpose Batteries - Group 27
3. Dual Factory Perko Switches
A. One switch has 2 batteries that support 1 motor. The other switch supports the other motor and house.

My thought is to create a set up so each motor has its own start battery. I would then create a 3rd house bank with the 2 other batteries. We have a bunch of electronics running, so having a proper 2 battery bank would be cool.

What I think I need:

1. BEP - Twin Outboard Engine with 3 Battery Banks - Part# 717-140A-DV SR
2. NOCO Genius GENPRO 5X3 or 10X3. Not sure which one I need. The current charger is 20 amps. The 5X3 is 15 amps and the 10XP is 30 amps.
3. NOCO GCP1 - AC Port with 16 Inch Extension Cord

I attached the wiring diagram I got from Parker. I am not certain I have the 3rd ON/OFF switch for the house that is shown.

Any recommendations would be much appreciated. Also, if there are any other upgrades I should do at the same time, I am all ears.

Cheers!

 

[pelagic2530]

Hey Folks,

My shore power unit took a crap, and I am thinking about dialing in my battery bank set up.



Current Set Up (2820 with Daul 250 Outboards and lives in a slip most of the year):

1. Powermania Turbo M220Vs - 2 Bank Charger
2. 4 New AGM Dual Purpose Batteries - Group 27
3. Dual Factory Perko Switches
A. One switch has 2 batteries that support 1 motor. The other switch supports the other motor and house.

My thought is to create a set up so each motor has its own start battery. I would then create a 3rd house bank with the 2 other batteries. We have a bunch of electronics running, so having a proper 2 battery bank would be cool.

What I think I need:

1. BEP - Twin Outboard Engine with 3 Battery Banks - Part# 717-140A-DV SR
2. NOCO Genius GENPRO 5X3 or 10X3. Not sure which one I need. The current charger is 20 amps. The 5X3 is 15 amps and the 10XP is 30 amps.
3. NOCO GCP1 - AC Port with 16 Inch Extension Cord

I attached the wiring diagram I got from Parker. I am not certain I have the 3rd ON/OFF switch for the house that is shown.

Any recommendations would be much appreciated. Also, if there are any other upgrades I should do at the same time, I am all ears.

Cheers!

Sounds like you’re pretty much on the right track.

-Take the opportunity to clean up your negative battery connections by installing a dedicated negative busbar, if you don’t already have one. That way you have one negative connection from the busbar to each battery, rather than a bunch of Daisy chained cables.

-Evaluate your main over current protection. Make sure the breakers you have are properly sized for the loads placed on the system and the cables that they protect.

-Check your battery trays to ensure that they’re secure. Most of the OEM installed ones suck and do not secure your batteries properly. If they’re the ones that use a strap and buckle, trash them and get ones that use a solid clamping bar or bracket with threaded rods and connectors.

 

[warthog5]

I always get the Noco's with 10a per bank.... Your actually will need a 4 bank charger. It's a better way to charge the 2 House batteries that are paralleled together.

Do not use the BEP Cluster out of the box... Rewire the 10ga wiring. You have seen my pix's in the past..... Correct?

 

[Postal719]

I always get the Noco's with 10a per bank.... Your actually will need a 4 bank charger. It's a better way to charge the 2 House batteries that are paralleled together.

Do not use the BEP Cluster out of the box... Rewire the 10ga wiring. You have seen my pix's in the past..... Correct?

I have briefly read some of the rewiring stuff that someone did based on your recommendation. Do you have a link to your write up?

Also, I'm considering just replacing the charger since we are mid season. Can I install a 4 bank charger and only run 2 banks? Or, since I have 4 batteries, can I just run a bank to each existing battery while wired to the Perko switches?

 

[warthog5]

since I have 4 batteries, can I just run a bank to each existing battery while wired to the Perko switches?

Yes and that's how you want it with the BEP also.

You will find... With the BEP and batteries in good shape... You will not need that charger much, as the BEP will keep all the batteries HOT...If boat sitts for a month...Plug charger in.

 

[Postal719]

Thanks a ton for your response. I'm gonna put in the 4 bank. Although I probably don't need it for the peak season, I want to be able to hook up a generator when doing overnight trips to keep the electronics going.

 

[Postal719]

So..the 4 bank unit won't fit where the old unit lives. There isn't enough room in the rear bilge.it is super tight in there. Lame

 

[warthog5]

You can't mount it on the inside of the transom? I would not mount it down low in the bilge.

 

[StrayDog]

I always get the Noco's with 10a per bank.... Your actually will need a 4 bank charger. It's a better way to charge the 2 House batteries that are paralleled together.

Do not use the BEP Cluster out of the box... Rewire the 10ga wiring. You have seen my pix's in the past..... Correct?

WH5
I have a very similar (twin engine / 3-bank) battery move and re-wire situation. I’ve followed your posts on the many BEP installations you’ve done. My question may also interest P719.

I saw a Y-Tube called “Pro Installer v Conventional System” They used a “Dual bank” instead of a cluster but the concept got my attention.

Have you ever used the BEP “Pro Installer” busses and link plates together with a BEP cluster to eliminate some of the cable connections and create a more compact installation?

 

[Postal719]

You can't mount it on the inside of the transom? I would not mount it down low in the bilge.

I suppose I could. I just thought I'd put it where the old one went. Got any pics of one installed on the transom? I'm trying to visualize how to rig it.

 

[Postal719]

FYI, here is a photo if the current installation.

 

[StrayDog]

WH5
I have a very similar (twin engine / 3-bank) battery move and re-wire situation. I’ve followed your posts on the many BEP installations you’ve done. My question may also interest P719.

I saw a Y-Tube called “Pro Installer v Conventional System” They used a “Dual bank” instead of a cluster but the concept got my attention.

Have you ever used the BEP “Pro Installer” busses and link plates together with a BEP cluster to eliminate some of the cable connections and create a more compact installation?

WH5
I have a very similar (twin engine / 3-bank) battery move and re-wire situation. I’ve followed your posts on the many BEP installations you’ve done. My question may also interest P719.

I saw a Y-Tube called “Pro Installer v Conventional System” They used a “Dual bank” instead of a cluster but the concept got my attention.

Have you ever used the BEP “Pro Installer” busses and link plates together with a BEP cluster to eliminate some of the cable connections and create a more compact installation?

These are examples of the busses & links I mentioned. The buses were built at the same height as the switch; which may be taller than the clusters

 

[warthog5]

Ah..... I just went and watched that see what you were talking about. I would NEVER do that! Ugly , Very Clutering , Way to many connections and takes up WAY to much space.

How about this. Left pix is custom twin engine install...... Right is what you would have for a single engine. The Lil fuse holder feeds power to the Bilge pump [always Hot] The circuit Breaker is to protect the wiring for the House main feed cable.