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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Extra battery & gas tank?

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seastream
Navigator

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USA
242 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/11/2004 : 08:14:33

I've heard the C25 is capable of carrying a second battery & gas tank. My 1983 (outboard) does have the extra portside cockpit locker for the gas tank which is where I found my single tank when I bought the boat. I've read that the tanks in earlier models went below well aft in the port locker (except it seems it would stow at an angle, given the hull shape-need a closer look). Where does the second battery go? It seems two batts would fit below the starboard settee without plastic boxes. Currently, there's an aftermarket charger installed there.

Seastream

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lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 02/11/2004 : 08:22:25

The most likely spot to put a second battery is in the storage area under the companionway ladder (under the quarter berth). Check that it is deep enough before you buy the second battery. As for the second gas tank, you could put it in the lazarette, but to be legal, it wouild have to be ventilated per USCG specs. When I am on a long cruise, for a week or more, I carry a second 6 gallon tank in the cockpit. Not elegant, and it takes away a little leg room, but its a lot safer there than in the lazarette as any leakage will just evaporate into the air or go out the cockpit drrains. If you keep a gas tank in the cockpit, cover it with a piece of white cloth to keep the sun from heating it up too much, which will likely cause some leakage at the engine connector as the fuel is pressurized from the heat.

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Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 02/11/2004 : 13:08:00

On the 1983 both battery's fit into the same compartment. Perhaps using a double box would work. The charger should not be in the same box as the battery. No place on an 83 for a second tank. Lockers have no vent. If you need extra fuel use one of the larger square 8 or 10 gallon tanks and set it in the sturn.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 02/11/2004 : 14:40:42

I, too, keep my spare gas can in the cockpit and it really doesn't get in the way. With the gas can there, you can put a can of soda in each corner and the gas can will keep them secure.

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Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 02/11/2004 : 15:29:43

seastream,

Re: "...the C25 is capable of carrying a second battery & gas tank."

On my 1979 C-25, I replaced the original water tank under the stbd settee with a custom tank, and moved the thru-hull near the front of that locker forward a few more inches. All that left just enough space at the aft end of that settee locker for two group-27 flooded cell deep cycle batteries in boxes. I custom build a plywood and epoxy platform to support them. Hold down straps go around the boxes and shelf rim to retain the batteries in the event of a knockdown.

If that seems like too much work, maybe there's room in there for two group-24 or golf cart batteries. Otherwise, there's no reason the second battery couldn't be mounted elsewhere, so long as it's easy to get at and out of harm's way. Remember to keep battery leads short, and consider installing in a large fuse in each positive lead as close a practical to the battery terminal.

To increase motor cruising range, I've done two things. First, I carried two 6-gal portable tanks aft in the cockpit foot well, as others have mentioned. That worked OK, and the tanks weren't much in the way. Later, I installed a 12-gal internal tank (in its own vented compartment per USCG guide lines) inside the early style port cockpit locker. At the same time, I installed a huge cartridge fuel filter with water separator, and drilled two large holes through the transom to route the fuel line and battery cables to the outboard motor.

I think I remember reading that there's one particular 9-gal plastic tank that will just fit in the late model fuel locker. That, perhaps combined with a portable tank in the cockpit foot well, might be what you're looking for.

-- Leon Sisson

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oldsalt
Admiral

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USA
578 Posts

Response Posted - 02/12/2004 : 20:49:49

As for spare gas, I have been using Don's method since 1983 and have never had a problem.

On my '83 and probably yours as well, the battery locker under the starboard settee has room for two batteries. It's a good idea to place them in individual plastic battery boxes which cost only a few bucks. My automatic charger is located on the bulkhead opposite the head since I didn't order my boat with the extra sink.

As far as batteries go, I suggest you get two deep discharge types since they won't be damaged by the small starting amperage of your outboard.

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deastburn
Captain

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USA
334 Posts

Response Posted - 02/16/2004 : 21:34:57

On my '81 traditional interior, there is room for only one battery under the starboard settee, and I put the other under the port settee aft of the holding tank. I built a plywood and expoxi platform, through bolted a platic battery box and also through bolted the sette molding to hold the box secure. Both batteries are wired through a "1-2-both-off" switch (make sure that if you switch batteries with the motor running, you go through "both" not "off" or you'll destroy the alterntor if you have one.

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RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 02/18/2004 : 14:43:03

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">On my '81 traditional interior, there is room for only one battery under the starboard settee<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Dave:

That's interesting because my '81 traditional interior has room for two batteries in there (currently 2 golf cart batteries), and my boat is only 41 hull #'s newer (#2657) than your boat. I wonder if they changed the liner mold between our boats, or was a bigger battery locker possibly an option -- the latter seems unlikely to me.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 02/18/2004 : 14:55:04

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by RichardG
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">On my '81 traditional interior, there is room for only one battery under the starboard settee<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Dave:

That's interesting because my '81 traditional interior has room for two batteries in there (currently 2 golf cart batteries), and my boat is only 41 hull #'s newer (#2657) than your boat. I wonder if they changed the liner mold between our boats, or was a bigger battery locker possibly an option -- the latter seems unlikely to me.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
RichardG,
FellowShip is #2790 and an '82, I don't remember what month from the HIN but you may have more of an 82 than an 81, Where is your fuel tank locker? Where is deastburns's?

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1768 Posts

Response Posted - 02/18/2004 : 15:09:06

... my '81 traditional interior has room for two batteries in there (currently 2 golf cart batteries) - Richard

Hi Richard,

I was wondering, which way did you orient your batteries? Are they athwartships, or do they run parallel with the keel? Are they encased in battery boxes? Are golf cart batteries shaped differently from a "standard" marine wet cell battery?

I installed a new battery in the starboard settee, and it is enclosed in a box. I had planned to put another battery in there, but I'm not sure there is enough room ... especially if both batteries are in boxes.

Thanks for the help.

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 02/18/2004 : 15:18:03

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by RichardG
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">On my '81 traditional interior, there is room for only one battery under the starboard settee<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Dave:

That's interesting because my '81 traditional interior has room for two batteries in there (currently 2 golf cart batteries), and my boat is only 41 hull #'s newer (#2657) than your boat. I wonder if they changed the liner mold between our boats, or was a bigger battery locker possibly an option -- the latter seems unlikely to me.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Dave, Rich:

Even more interesting, my 1981, hull #2428 with a traditional interior has room for two batteries under the starboard settee.

Edited by - on

RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 02/18/2004 : 17:37:14

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Where is your fuel tank locker?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

It's the "newer" external type. I recall the changeover was made sometime in late 1980.

Re: the batteries

When I got the boat, there was a Group 27 without a plastic box and a Group 24 in a plastic box. I installed hold-down straps for both. When I replaced the Group 24 with another Group 27, I removed the plastic box so it would fit. I think it was in one of the Mainsheet tech articles where someone said the plastic boxes weren't necessary.

The golf cart batteries (hooked in series to get 12 volts) are parallel with the keel, just like the batteries they replaced. They have about the same floorplan as the Group 27's, maybe a little bit wider because I had to move the hold-down straps a little. But they're certainly taller. At first I was worried about the lid clearance, but they just fit. However, I had to put regular nuts on the terminals because the wing nuts which came with the batteries didn't allow the lid to close completely.

Edited by - on

osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 02/18/2004 : 21:26:35

I haven't given any thought to a second battery, but when I need more than 3 gallons of gas on board,, I follw the the Lucier method. Put the can under the tiller and away we go. It's out of the way, doesn't interfer with the traveller, the back stay or the tiller, or with me. This plan works for me.

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