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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Battery Placement

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Last Fling 71
Deckhand

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USA
19 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/26/2014 : 14:42:34

I purchased a 25yr old Catalina 25 Tall Rig. It has an electric start O/B with the gas tank in/under the aft port side seating compartment. The Series 27 battery & case has been left in the cockpit against the scuppers. The starboard locker is not deep enough to place the battery & case into it. The forward port locker (forward of the gas tank) is empty, but too far for the battery wires to reach, from the O/B. Any ideas???
What is the common setup for this boat, with an electric start O/B??

I'd appreciate any suggestions.

Edited by - on

Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2014 : 14:52:10

What model year is your boat? 1989?

I have two group 24 batteries, they are located in the cabin, under the starboard settee, in a compartment just aft of the water tank.
You may need to add longer cables to place it/them there.

Edited by - on

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2014 : 17:15:53

Even the correct marine grade wire is cheap for how little you need to do this right. Tell us the model year and we will tell you where and how many.

Edited by - on

Last Fling 71
Deckhand

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USA
19 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2014 : 17:38:00

The 2012 9.8hp Tohatsu 4 Stroke O/B with electric start is located on the starboard side of the stern. The gas tank is on the port side of the cockpit.

I think I can put the Grp 27 battery in the port locker of the cockpit, if I had battery cables that were about 42" long. Is there any problem with having the gas tank and battery in relative close proximity (about 1 foot apart)? or on the same side of the cockpit?

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2014 : 18:22:16

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Last Fling 71
 ...Is there any problem with having the gas tank and battery in relative close proximity (about 1 foot apart)? or on the same side of the cockpit?...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Yes that is a problem, don't do it!

If you connect or disconnect the cables from the battery and the vent on the gas tank is open there is a high likelihood that you won't have to worry about a Last Fling! No pun intended!

As others have stated, if you will tell us what year model you have we can give you an answer to your question(s).

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2014 : 21:04:40

Two 27'2 will fit in the battery compartment under the starboard settee without cases. Layout: Traditional (with port and starboard settees) or dinette; TR - tall rig,; keel: fin, swing, wing. Inquiring minds need to know. Wire is cheap, put your batteries safely down below with hold downs.

Edited by - Dave5041 on 05/26/2014 21:06:45

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2014 : 07:20:46

I was not clear, we need to know the year of Catalina 25, the motor is irrelevant. Catalina periodically changed the placement of batteries. The last couple of years had them behind the companionway stairs under the quarterberth. Most have two deepcycle batteries because outboards do not require starting batteries.

Edited by - pastmember on 05/27/2014 07:21:47

Last Fling 71
Deckhand

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USA
19 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2014 : 07:40:28

My Catalina 25 tall rig is a 1990.

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5369 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2014 : 08:01:30

If you go down into the cabin and you look under the starboard bench seat closest to the companionway ladder, is there a trap door that opens up? This is where my battery lives. Some folks squeeze two batteries in there but it's important to have a case with a lid and a strap for each battery and I don't know whether you can fit two cases in there.
Depending on your interior layout - dinette, fold-down table or modified wrap layout, you may have other locations to mount a 2nd battery.
For wiring the starter and alternator - buy the right size and length wire for the job. If you need 60amp or 80amp cable that's 15 ft x 2 = 30 ft, then do it. Having gasoline fumes and batteries together is just too risky.
Edit:
Fuses - always make sure you have a fuse on each circuit - the fuse should be located no more than a few inches from the + battery terminal. 60A fuses are available from auto parts stores. Don Casey's "Sailboat Electrics Simplified" is a great reference. It may be available at your public library. It is also included as a chapter in Don Casey's "complete illustrated sailboat maintenance manual"

Edited by - Voyager on 05/27/2014 08:10:33

sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2014 : 09:46:31

I also moved 27's together behind the water tank. Both on a shelf in btry boxes with straps. The batteries can be lifted straight up for best lift to change them. The 79 has outboard on port side with gas tanks. It is not a good place for tanks but have them strapped too. I learned from the Forum to protect battery cables with breaker at each battery. Breakers are a manual reset. The red selector switch is still back behind sink for either battery or both. Switch has feature which allows both batteries to be charged even if only one battery is selected. That's my system designed from the Forum.

Edited by - on

RAG Sailor
Navigator

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USA
144 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2014 : 11:45:33

My $.02 worth... I bought a 1981 TR/SK last October and with the purchase was given a 3rd battery just for the engine. The broker wanted to install it in the after 1/4 berth but I didn't like the idea. You can look up the thread that was posted around last Oct in this area. http://catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=27363

Ultimately what I did was order 12' x 6/2 AWG Duplex Tinned Marine Wire from gregsmarinewiresupply.com for $34.32. I also order 2 x 6 AWG Tinned Marine Butt Connectors (to connect to the existing leads from the engine) and 2 x 6 AWG Tinned Seamless Marine Lugs to attach to the battery. I soldered the splice and ran it to the battery box on the starboard side. I have two batteries there and yes they are both sitting in battery cases (they do fit).

The engine is hooked directly into battery 1. I have both batteries hooked up to the switcher. Major word of caution. If you do it this way, make sure to NEVER switch from battery 1 to battery 2 by passing the Both position when the engine is running. If you need to switch to battery 2 while the engine is running, always pass through the off position. If you go through both you will blow the alternator! It's okay to pass through both only when the engine is not running. It's also okay to have the switch in the both position before you start the engine but never pass through both while the motor is running.

Edited by - RAG Sailor on 05/27/2014 14:12:30

Last Fling 71
Deckhand

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USA
19 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2014 : 11:52:43

I want to sincerely thank everyone that replied to my questions. I now understand what I should and shouldn't do regarding my batteries. I will definitely opt for safety in the installation and placement.
Thank you again.

Edited by - on

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2014 : 12:36:34

Yes, yours belong in the battery box on the centerline under the quarterberth. Notice your power panel is behind the companionway steps close to the batteries. Most C 25s had batteries under the starboard settee but that is not where yours go, (you have a fresh water tank there). You have the best of the breed, enjoy her.

Edited by - pastmember on 05/27/2014 12:40:37

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2014 : 18:20:53

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by pastmember
 Yes, yours belong in the battery box on the centerline under the quarterberth. Notice your power panel is behind the companionway steps close to the batteries. Most C 25s had batteries under the starboard settee but that is not where yours go, (you have a fresh water tank there). You have the best of the breed, enjoy her.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Your '90 model should be like Frank and I's '89 models. I can't remember if mine are Group 24's or Group 27's but they will fit in the compartment as in Frank's picture above. It is a tight fit but they will fit.

Just to clarify, if you are standing in the cabin looking back toward the steps the batteries are just behind and to the left of the steps.

Edited by - GaryB on 05/27/2014 18:22:33

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