Wow,
thanks for all the input fellows.
Now to put the fires out.
The alternator is of the self exiting type from a mitsubishi motor vehicle.
Charging current to the two batteries combined is only around 2 amps unless I have flattened them by driving around without the engine running in wich case the charging current is around 4.5 amp.
The electric motors came out of a wheelchair and full load current is 22 amp at 24 Vdc as per nameplate.
This equates to 11 amp per motor at 12 volts totalling 22 amp under full load.
The circuit wiring is 4mm2 in size and good for around 28 amp.
There is a 25 amp circuit breaker within the speed controller enclosure to protect the wiring from a short should the speed controller decide to kark it.
I agree that there could be further protection between the batteries but have yet to see one of these UPS batteries fail and short.
As mentioned earlier I think I will suffice with the current setup until I can afford a larger capacity engine preferably with electric start in wich case I will have to upgrade the wiring.
Again, thanks for all the input, it sure makes for good conversation
