My last skiff had an ACR should I put one on the new skiff
being built…2 -12v agm …house and TM
https://www.bluesea.com/products/7601/m-Series__Automatic_Charging_Relay_-_12_24V_DC_65A/FAQ
We sell a lot of ARS’s here at New Wire Marine.
So “do you need it?” It depends. For most skiffs, probably not. Is it a nice to have to peace for mind. Yes, why? If the Why below answers a need you may have then yes I’d recommend adding one.
From the FAQ:
ACR senses when the voltage of either of the batteries rises to a level indicating that a charge source is active (13.0V for 2 minutes). The ACR′s contacts then connect and the ACR applies the charge to both batteries. If the voltage on both of the batteries subsequently drops to 12.75V for 30 seconds, the ACR will disconnect, isolating the batteries.
Battery isolators use one-way electrical check valves called diodes that allow current to flow to, but not from, the battery. ACRs use a relay combined with a circuit that senses when a charging source is being applied to either battery. ACRs are more efficient than battery isolators because they create little heat and consume minimal charging energy.
We have a product line called ‘Power Box’ and we sell a Single Engine Battery Management System (PW104) It’s a bit overkill for a small skiff, but it’s very popular in the center console community.
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Electrical is for sure by weak point. I can read about it all day, but I need to put my hands on the actual items and do test to be confident with i’m looking at, wiring diagrams are useless for me..
With that said whether you want an ACR or a battery off switch, you need something to be able to disconnect your battery from all systems. Don’t wire your battery direct to things, shit will melt and catch fire that way.
In an emergency or if wires get hot or if you have to cut power, you need to be able to flip a switch and cut the connection to your main battery.
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Exactly what he said! This is one thing that I don’t see many people doing – individuals not manufactures – but Overcurrent protection (fuse or breaker) should be installed within 7 wire inches of the point where an ungrounded conductor connects to a power source like a battery, battery charger, or alternator.
Cheers
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I have never seen ACRs in skiffs…but our big, center console has them. Why would you need them on a skiff? To charge your TM battery? House battery?
Yup. my last “skiff” had one and liked the idea…wondering if it was over kill… for K.I.S.S. philosophy
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You said electrical is your weak point, but you know the most important thing! 
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