This is a former Canadian vessel, which uses mostly 24VDC electronics as
well as alternator, starter, etc. The 24V lead acid battery bank is 2 x 12V
batteries in series.

South of Canada, the standard is 12V so we have a lot of 12V electronics -
radios, GPS, etc.

Can I borrow the center tap of the batteries to make a 12V bus? This would
create an imbalance during charging I imagine - lowering the charge voltage
across the battery connected to ground.

The batteries in question are 12V AGM, 200AH each.

The 12V bus would supply up to 25A, but only when the alternator is running
- otherwise I imagine the charge imbalance would get out of hand.

Am I better off with a DC to DC converter?
--=20
http://www.piclist.com/techref/piclist PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist
.