BCM Community

Hi All
I have built my house battery enclosure. I am going to use a boat bilge blower to exhaust battery fumes from the compartment while the batteries are being charged and routing the gases out the floor. However, I only want the bilge blower to operate when the batteries are being charged.  I am using a 4024 inverter so was thinking a 24 blower was best but have 12 volt available locally. Since I am not sure whether it is best to have the house battereis charged only by the inverter or also by the standard engine driven D50 alternator this also complicates the problem. If the D50 also charges the house batteries, I am not sure whether to use a manual switch or an oil pressure switch to bring it online to charge the house batteries.
So if the inverter only charges the batteries, what electronic switch would I need to install and how do I install it to make the blower run only when the inverter is charging the batteries? Second, if the D50 is also charging the house batteries in addition to the inverter, what switch would I use and how do I install it?

Rob
91 Prevost LeMirage XL
Missouri

You did not say which "4024" inverter you have, but if it is a Xantrex/Trace SW4024, you could program one of the aux relays to do this when it sees charge voltage.  That will work regardless of charge source.  The aux relays are low current, so use a cube relay to operate the fan.  The relays are dry contact so it doesn't matter what voltage you use -- if 12v is handier than 24v, get a 12v cube relay.

-Sean
http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com (http://ourodyssey.blogspot.com)

Sean
Yes, it is the Xantrex SW 4024. Thanks for the reply.

On the idea of the house batteries being charged only by the inverter as opposed to the coach D50 alternator. Any thoughts?

Rob
91 Prevost LeMirage XL
Missouri

I recommend installing a solenoid to connect the house batteries to the engine alternator while under way.  That's a huge charge source and is more fuel efficient than powering the SW's built-in charger from a stand-alone generator set.  That said, if you plug in to shore power at the end of every day, then you may prefer to conserve the extra HP that the alternator will use to charge the house batteries.

-Sean
http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com (http://ourodyssey.blogspot.com)