Batteries question.

[Camper634]

I have at present 2 X 80 Ah gel batteries controlled via an Imanager system which basically monitors each battery and charges when required.My question is this.If I add a 110ah lead acid battery controlled via a selector switch will it make that much difference to the controls.I only intend to have the 3rd battery as an emergency if my 2 others are down to about 50%.My plan is to then isolate one of the batteries via a battery changeover switch,so one of the originals will be disconnected and the 110 will take its place.I can change the parameters on the Iswitch to suit if needed.Dies this seem feasable before I shell out on battery box enclosure and selector switch please?Many thanks to anybody who has got this far!

 

[icantremember]

That sounds unnecessarily complicated. ...
My suggestion would be to replace the two 80ah batteries with two 130ah ones.
If you don't already have a solar panel, that would be my next move.

 

[Camper634]

It does but as I've only just invested in the 80 ah gel batteries it's not an option.Only looking for a emergency back up plan for the odd occasion I am low on power.As I already have the spare battery it is a case of utilising that .

 

[pappajohn]

Cant mix gel and wet batteries.....different charging requirements.
You could isolate BOTH gels and run the wet battery on its own if you can change the controller between gell and wet to recharge.
To mix a discharged (50%) battery and a fully charged battery, off grid, means the discharged one will draw power from the full one trying to charge itself so the flat one will get some charge at the expense of the full one being discharged by the same percentage....ie: both having 75%charge.

 

[Camper634]

Luckily the Imanager takes care of different battery types,although it will mean changing the parameters of one of the batteries from gel to lead acid before transferring to the 2nd battery.Like I said,this is solely a last resort back up,but I want to make it as simple as possible to do.

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[pappajohn]

Do you mean the imanager monitors and charges each battery independantly of the other if the charge parameters are set correctly for each battery..
If so then i see no problem with your plan...except the off grid situation of one battery taking charge from another as at some point they are linked together....at the fuse box etc.

 

[pappajohn]

Just had a look at the imanager and it does as i thought in my last post.

But at £220 i wouldnt bother fitting one in favour of two more 80ah gel batteries ....320ah total capacity

 

[Camper634]

Just had a look at the imanager and it does as i thought in my last post.

But at £220 i wouldnt bother fitting one in favour of two more 80ah gel batteries ....320ah total capacity

As it is already installed ,that money has long goneThanks for clarifying what I suspected though,much appreciated.