Posted for John Huft <aflyer@lazy8.net>:

 Scott,
 
 Similar to mine, except I don't have an Essential buss, and haven't really
followed that concept. My airplane is day VFR only.
 
 Anyway, the difference is that my "left" LSE runs off the backup battery all
the time. I see no reason for a switch there, just another possible point of
failure. If the main buss is working, you get power through the diode, if not,
from the battery. Same for starting.
 
 I do have a switch between the main buss and the diode, in case that diode
fails shorted when the main buss goes down, I can isolate it. Also allows me
to test it during run-up.
 
 I run the right side directly from the main battery, not through the master
relay, again, no switch.
 
 To answer your question, I think the back-up battery is suffiecently charged
through the diode. I do have the regulator set on the high side for my battery
(Odyssey PC 680) at 14.5 volts.
 
 John