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Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Battery location

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bear_tm4
Navigator

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USA
143 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/28/2007 : 21:28:18

I am considering relocating my battery and switch from its current location, to provide a little more accessible storage. I considered moving water, but not sure I want the fill pipe running all around the boat. I am having to redoing the wiring, because I have to put in new selector switch, previous owner melted current one...left unattended with battery leaning against it....any way, I am considering relocating both, what are the thoughts on new location. My boat has the dinette set up. This is a pic of current battery location. I am going to put two batteries in as soon as I can get a another one.

Capt.Bear, C42MKII "Surprise" #998 WK

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sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 02/28/2007 : 22:12:11

If you can get the second battery into the box it would be possibly the safest place with tie downs. Keeping the weight as low as possible and on the right (starboard) keeps the boat proper (someone can correct this). Centering the weight helps prevent the hobbyhorse motion. Suggest that the switch be moved outside to the front edge to the right for access with more room for the second battery. Protect each circuit with a fuse or breaker and physical covers over terminals for items that get loose in storage areas. A neat idea is to use sections of 1 1/2" plastic pipe or conduit to run positive wires between terminals, negative wires can be together with plastic ties, all up as high as possible above the hull. Water tanks get a lot of discussion if they are necessary and are high maintenace for some. I have no problem with the use of mine with inspection port and changing the lines every two years. I did get rid of the fill line as it had a low loop that always grew creatures. Well you will have to make some improvements but look over the Forums threads too.

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Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2007 : 00:04:45

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by bear_tm4 I am considering relocating my battery and switch from its current location, to provide a little more accessible storage. I considered moving water [tank]...redoing the wiring, because I have to put in new selector switch,...what are the thoughts on new location...going to put two batteries in as soon as I can get a another one.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Capt.Bear,

For what it's worth, here's a short description of what I did. In order to fit two group-27 batteries in boxes under the stbd settee (where you're talking about), I moved the head sink thru-hull fwd a few inches, which then allowed me in install a 16gal semi-custom rigid water tank ahead of the battery boxes. I built plywood and epoxy brackets and shelves for the tank and batteries.

I reinstalled a traditional [OFF/1/BOTH/2] high current battery selector switch, mostly because there was a big ugly hole for it in the settee base (aft upper corner of inboard vertical face). West Marine has an 'advisor' page ("[url="http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/westadvisor/10001/-1/10001/creatingabatterysystem.htm"]Creating a Reliable Battery System[/url]") which makes a very good case for abandoning the traditional [OFF/1/BOTH/2] selector switch in favor of two or more SPST switches and [url="http://www.yandina.com/combInfo.htm"]battery combiners[/url]. I do have two battery combiners (3 batteries) which I'm very satisfied with. My battery leads go to bus bars in the same locker, and from those to the distribution panel, cranking power cutoff switch (via the combiners), etc.

Hope this gives you some additional ideas.

-- Leon Sisson

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tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2007 : 09:07:51

Hi Barry,

I have two group 27 batteries, in boxes , in the battery box that you are considering changing. My battery selector switch is located on the bulkhead aft of the galley sink along with two wiring distribution panels. Incidentially the boat is a 1983 C25 with the dinette configuration.

Val on the hard DAGNABIT, #3936, Patchogue, N.Y.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2007 : 10:05:04

Mine are on the centerline of the boat, under the stairs. I store my table in the old battery location.

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BLEE
Deckhand

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USA
19 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2007 : 19:50:27

Barry,
I am in the process of doing the same upgrade. I have built a custom teak electronics panel which houses a 1/2/both battery switch, 2each 6 button switch panels, battery volt meter, 2-battery test meter, bilge pump switch, and two 12-volt plugs for accessories. I am mounting the panel on the port setee shelf just adjacent to the stove. The shelf provides support for the panel and allows me to route wiring down the side of the boat in a nice enclosed format...and is convenient to connecting to existing equipment. I am locating two group 24 batteries directly under the stairs and mounting my Guest Battery charger in the same general location. I am really happy with the progress so far though I still have to complete final connections. Expect to be done in two more weeks. I will be glad to post my results.

regards
Bob Lee

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bear_tm4
Navigator

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USA
143 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2007 : 21:43:15

I was inside on my boat taking off all the wood on the cabin top, and looking into areas of possable leakes. While I was doing this I looked at the battery situation. I think that I have tentivly decided to build a battery box underneath the stern most seat in the dinette, right above the keel and to the port. This location places the wieght lower in the hull and closer to the center and center line of the boat. It also gives me clear route for running the wiring. Any input is welcome.
Thanks
Bear

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.