I have a few questions about the Blue Sea ML-ACR that I was hoping I could get some input on. I've searched the forum and haven't been able to find specific answers, so I thought I'd start a new thread.
A little background: I have the ML-ACR with manual control (the yellow knob on top of the unit) and the SPDT red switch. I installed this about 5 years ago when I did my initial build out, and it worked just fine up until last summer. I would basically always have the yellow knob in the ON (or remote) position since its mounted under the driver seat and not super easily accessible while driving. I'd always keep the red switch in the OFF position and switch it to ON only after the engine was started if I needed bulk charging while driving (I mostly rely on solar for charging my house batteries, but occasionally need a boost if I'm not getting enough sun or don't have access to shore power).
Now when I turn the red switch to ON, the ACR won't combine the batteries. The LEDs on the switch will do a double blink, pause, then repeat, which according to Blue Sea troubleshooting means "Manual override - check ACR for switch states OR ACR mechanical failure." The ACR appears to still work, because when I push the yellow knob down it will combine the batteries, it just won't combine them via the switch. I've double checked the wiring for the switch and everything appears normal.
I also checked the voltage at the starter battery, the house battery, and both sides of the ACR and everything seems okay. Voltage at house battery and house battery side of ACR were both 13.5V. Voltage at starter battery and starter battery side of ACR were both 12.3V with engine off, and 14V with engine running.
My first question is if anyone else has experienced this, or might have an idea of what's going on? I haven't contacted Blue Sea yet, but plan to.
My other question is in regards to the connection between the negative terminals of the starter and house batteries, or rather if such a connection is necessary. While looking at the wiring diagram while trouble shooting this, I notice that Blue Sea has the negative terminals of the house battery and starter battery go to a bus bar along with the black wire from the wire harness from the ACR, and the bus bar is grounded to the chassis. In my setup, the negative terminal from my house battery runs through a shunt which is connected to a bus bar that is grounded to the chassis. The black wire from the ACR wire harness is grounded to the chassis at a different point, but both are OEM grounding bolts. The starter battery is obviously also grounded to the chassis, but otherwise not connected to my house batteries negative terminal in any way. Is there a need to having a direct connection between the negative terminals of both the starter and house batteries?
Anyways, thanks for any input.
Jacob
A little background: I have the ML-ACR with manual control (the yellow knob on top of the unit) and the SPDT red switch. I installed this about 5 years ago when I did my initial build out, and it worked just fine up until last summer. I would basically always have the yellow knob in the ON (or remote) position since its mounted under the driver seat and not super easily accessible while driving. I'd always keep the red switch in the OFF position and switch it to ON only after the engine was started if I needed bulk charging while driving (I mostly rely on solar for charging my house batteries, but occasionally need a boost if I'm not getting enough sun or don't have access to shore power).
Now when I turn the red switch to ON, the ACR won't combine the batteries. The LEDs on the switch will do a double blink, pause, then repeat, which according to Blue Sea troubleshooting means "Manual override - check ACR for switch states OR ACR mechanical failure." The ACR appears to still work, because when I push the yellow knob down it will combine the batteries, it just won't combine them via the switch. I've double checked the wiring for the switch and everything appears normal.
I also checked the voltage at the starter battery, the house battery, and both sides of the ACR and everything seems okay. Voltage at house battery and house battery side of ACR were both 13.5V. Voltage at starter battery and starter battery side of ACR were both 12.3V with engine off, and 14V with engine running.
My first question is if anyone else has experienced this, or might have an idea of what's going on? I haven't contacted Blue Sea yet, but plan to.
My other question is in regards to the connection between the negative terminals of the starter and house batteries, or rather if such a connection is necessary. While looking at the wiring diagram while trouble shooting this, I notice that Blue Sea has the negative terminals of the house battery and starter battery go to a bus bar along with the black wire from the wire harness from the ACR, and the bus bar is grounded to the chassis. In my setup, the negative terminal from my house battery runs through a shunt which is connected to a bus bar that is grounded to the chassis. The black wire from the ACR wire harness is grounded to the chassis at a different point, but both are OEM grounding bolts. The starter battery is obviously also grounded to the chassis, but otherwise not connected to my house batteries negative terminal in any way. Is there a need to having a direct connection between the negative terminals of both the starter and house batteries?
Anyways, thanks for any input.
Jacob