Hello -

I have a 2000 Carver 450 with twin 6CTA.

Have digital volt meters install on all batteries. The system is simple and appears to be stock with the exception that the previous owner did upgrade to a Magnum Invertor. The other components like the isolators, fuses and battery switches appear to be the original. House and Engine Starters are old school 8D's

Under shore power:

Original Charles Charger charges 2 starter batteries and 1 Genset starter
House is charged by Invertor

While underway, I don't seem to be keeping up on the House Bank via the alternator. I am seeing 12.6 volts while the two starters without any load seem to run around d 13.0 volts. Not much of load (did not measure) other than the invertor running a pair of fridges and modern electronics with a few lights left on. I have not started any trouble shooting or yet with amp clamps and was wondering if an electrical diagram is available (I wish Pat was available). It is my understanding from Tony at SBMAR that you want to see 12.9 volts to be holding steady on a house battery.

Everything seems to work great while running the genset. I would prefer not to do that and have a house bank that stays healthy without running the genset. Seems that a pair of 8.3 L beasts should keep my house bank happy.

I am wondering whether:

(1) Anyone have the main dc alternator to battery drawings for a 450?
(2) Is it typical carver to wire the two alternators to a single isolator?
(2) Is the second isolator typically used for the Charles Bulk charger?
(3) Has anyone upgrade the 22SI stock alternators - It might be possible that I run too much at lower RPM and that is causing the voltage loss on the house.

Any other comments or observations would be appreciated?