Midnightsun wrote:I have the same Charles 5000 charger as you and have to problem charging a 420AH bank of batteries.
You just wire all three banks of the charger as one into the house battery bank and you will get your 60 amps.
Never really had a problem but I have noticed when at anchor the house bank nevr really recovers that well and now I know why. Plugged into shore power there is definitely no problem however it will take quite some time if the bank is large as in 48hrs + to completely top off. Remember, you are only getting 80a after the 4 hr switch to absorption rate.
Problem is I have 4 banks. 3 on the 60a Charles and the Generator on an independent 10a Charles single bank. I would be short 2 banks if I wired the 60A to the house bank and again I will mention the Charles times out after 4 hours on bulk charge so bottom line is you can only get 240amp out of it total before it swings to absorption rate. The other 2 banks are rather important as not only do they do engines although those normally remain rather full are interconnected with another 31 group battery 2 form 2 banks that also operate the windlass, bow and stern thrusters so yes those banks could need a good charge at times.
I had same setup as you and I rewired it. I think the Charles 10 amp can handle the engines and generator no problem - it's sole purpose really is maintenance charging... Keep in mind the generator is charging it's battery when running and the engines are charging house/engines when running if wired properly through your isolators. Your main concern is house bank when anchored...
My charles 60 amp now does house only which is a bank of 4 group 31 and the thruster is hooked up to that as well.
You could and should hook up both your thrusters to the house bank as a larger bank will handle the loads much better.
My bow Thruster has huge current draw ~ 500amps...
The charles 10 amp does the engines and the generator and the windlass is off of one of the engine batteries. Engines are (should) always be running when you are running windlass so there is no issue with the 10amp charger for simply maintaining them at the dock as the alternators provide plenty of power for the windlass.
I did this 8 years ago and it has worked flawless but I had issues wired it the way you have it. You would need greater than a 480AH bank for the 240AH out of the 60amp charger to be an issue and even so it really isn't because you shouldn't be discharging the banks below 50%. I actually charge them back up at 30-35%. You also won't have the AH you think you have unless they are brand new batteries. Each year you can figure on removing an easy 10 -15 amps out of that capacity and adjust your battery monitor as such.
I think you can do this with the setup you have with just some re-wiring and keep the $ in your pocket
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