inverter and 12V on same battery bank

[mbrodkin]

I have what seems like a simple question, but want to ask it anyway.
When I wired a Xantrex Freedom 25 inverter into the system I noticed that none of the wiring diagrams in the manual show a connection to the DC Panel. So it seems that I will not gt any 12V from house bank.
I have a 245 amp hr. house bank and a gp27 starting battery. The Xantrex charges the house bank with an echo charger keeping the engine bank charged. While running the alternator feeds the inverter and charges both banks, but it seems that all of my DC is coming from the engine bank.
Did I miss something? It seems that I should have a feed from the house bank to the panel (I have a 2 battery switch at the panel).
Before I do anything stupid I thought I would ask if I can just connect the house bank to the battery terminal on the switch. The grounds are all common.
Mitch

[capn chuck]

Sorry Mitch but your question is a bit confusing. I am assuming this is an inverter/charger. The charger is connected to your batteries, I hope, so the inverter portion of the unit is also connected to the batteries via the same cables. An inverter only runs your 110 volt system and needs to be connected to your panel or dedicated circuits via a switch to disconnect when shore power is used. None of your 12 volt systems on the boat will work if there is no cable from the battery bank to the battery switch to the 12 volt panel. If you mean that cable only comes off the start battery, you need to move it from the start battery to the house bank. Chuck

[mbrodkin]

Thanks Chuck
I thought that was my problem, but wanted to check it to make sure that was what I needed to do.
And yes you interpreted my post correctly. Actually the Inverter/charger has an automatic pass through when connected to shore power. I do have a disconnect switch, but do not need to use it when plugging in.
I will need to find the feed wire for the house bank to the battery switch. I must have inadvertently disconnected it when I installed the new battery bank.
Thank you for the quick reply.
Mitch

[elnav]

Mitch, it is customary for the manuals to only show the connections relevant to the equipment being installed. Your DC panel sould be wired directly back to the house bank independent of your inverter.
Due to the large amperage involved when the inverter is running at full power, you want large size wires going from inverter/charger directly to the house bank. To be safe this circuit should also include a fuse and disconnect swtich. The standards are spelled out by ABYC. Most insurance companies these days ask their durveyors to make suer wiring is done in compliance to ABYC standards.
It would not be a good practice to use a circuit in common for both house panel and inverter.

If this is still confusing let me know.
Arild

[mbrodkin]

Arid;
Thanks for the reply. The circuit was wired correctly. There was a heavy duty wire from the battery bank to the DC Circuit. It was hidden and entered the battery box where I could not see it. When I opened the box I did find the connection.
And yes there is a fuse and disconnect between the inverter/charger and the battery bank.
Thanks again for a clear reply.
Mitch