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Catalina 25 Specific Forum

A B Battery Switch Location

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Rick Heaverly 86 C25 5382
Navigator

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Belize
206 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/13/2002 : 11:45:13

I want to install an A B Both battery switch. My batteries are located on the starbord side below the setee and aft of the water tank. Can I install the switch just above the floor on the outside of the battery compartment?

As always I appreciate the comments.

Rick Heaverly

Edited by - on

dave andersen
1st Mate

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85 Posts

Response Posted - 04/13/2002 : 12:38:21

That's exactly where my two way battery switch is mounted.
Short run for the wires and intuitively correct. I have
a C-25 1980 fin keel. I think it was added by the first owner.
Dave Andersen

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frich
Captain

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USA
418 Posts

Response Posted - 04/13/2002 : 22:12:49

Mine is mounted behind the cabin acess ladder, near floor level

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Bill Holcomb
Admiral

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USA
769 Posts

Response Posted - 04/14/2002 : 09:05:15

Hey Rick,

You might take a look in the Tech Tips. There are several photos there that show different battery switch locations.

Bill Holcomb - C25 Snickerdoodle #4839

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Gary
1st Mate

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58 Posts

Response Posted - 04/14/2002 : 21:56:57

Is there a photo that shows how the batteries are stored on the starboard side? In my '78 they're on the port side along with the motor, galley, and other heavy stuff. I think the boat would be better balanced if the batteries were on the starboard side.

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 04/14/2002 : 22:31:25

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Is there a photo that shows how the batteries are stored on the starboard side? In my '78 they're on the port side along with the motor, galley, and other heavy stuff. I think the boat would be better balanced if the batteries were on the starboard side.

<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
My 78 has them on the Starboard side. I think it was a matter of preference once the owner went from a single to a double battery...which if I am correct was an after market switch.

For the record, the jacka$$$ who had the half share of the wasp before me was mega anal about looks. Every screw, turned the same way for the same piece of hardware, and anything he considered unsightly to be hidden. thus, under the companion way steps, rests our battery indicator, just above the bilge....Great place huh...

The fire extinguisher is mounted up under there too....until I move it to a location you can see a little better!!!!!!!!!!!!

dw

Duane Wolff
"The Flying Wasp"
C-25, #401 std,sk
Chief Measurer C-25/250 national Org.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2dc20b3127cce9cd2f45b211a0000004010" border=0>

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n/a
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29 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2002 : 16:34:40

West Marine advises against the AB switch - I think they're right. Before you start drilling take a look see at...
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/commerce/command/ExecMacro/west_advisor.d2w/show_advisor?fn=464-465.htm&store_num=9

Andy P.
#5708

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2002 : 17:31:04

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
West Marine advises against the AB switch - I think they're right. Before you start drilling take a look see at...
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/commerce/command/ExecMacro/west_advisor.d2w/show_advisor?fn=464-465.htm&store_num=9

Andy P.
#5708
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

It should be noted that this article is geared toward boats that utilized a battery to start their engine. Mainly inboards. While I can see the thought process involved with our inboard brethern and not using the switch, I like the convenience of the a/b all switch and don't see the harm in utilizing it. If both batteries drain, I can always grab the emergency spare which I carry on overnight trips. Then again, all my batter powers are the running lights, ship to shore and stereo. (of which I have hand held ship to shore as well).

I think more importantly, the decision to not use the a/b should be based on the following.

1. Do you have auxillary starting system (pull cord on outboard)? If no, then always have a dedicated battery for starting the outboard.
2. Do you have other electrical redundancy for emergency. (spare battery etc.)If your radio can't operate without the battery, or you don't have an emergency source for running lights, go with the dedicated battery.

dw

Duane Wolff
"The Flying Wasp"
C-25, #401 std,sk
Chief Measurer C-25/250 national Org.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2dc20b3127cce9cd2f45b211a0000004010" border=0>

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n/a
deleted

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29 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2002 : 10:11:51

Right - but that's a whole other can of worms. Which is - Why isn't one (possibly bigger) battery enough? I suspect that for many sailors, DC draw is limited to a few cranks on the starter motor (or maybe not even), a couple hours of radio time, some low power electronics (e.g. depth finder, CD player) and maybe an hour or two of running lights for the trip back to the slip. Everywhere else, AC is available and easier. So while I think West marine is right about the AB switch, I realize they're not completely objective either.

Andy P.
#5708

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2002 : 10:52:30

For what it's worth - my AB switch is located next to the light switch panel in the bulkhead between the galley an lazarette.

Steve Madsen
#2428
OJ (Ode to Joy)

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John Mason
Admiral

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USA
687 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2002 : 12:20:57

Give me a pull cord on an outboard any day, and leave the batteries for the "house" incidentals and nav lights. Then you don't have to worry about whether an AB switch is a bad idea or not.

My AB switch is also on the bulkhead 'tween galley and lazarette with a run of about 7 or 8 feet to the batteries.

As for batteries, I'd rather have two smaller than one larger; easier to lift out when necessary.

John Mason - Ali Paroosa
1982 - FK/SR #3290

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2002 : 13:15:35

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
and leave the batteries for the "house" incidentals and nav lights. <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

John,

I have to laugh, the term incidentals makes me think of a salesman at my old job who turned in his hotel incidental expenses for reimbursement. They included a few pay per view movies....which isn't a problem, except for the titles that appeared on his receipt.
This was a while back and the hotels no longer put the titles of the higher quality media on the reciept for obvious reasons.

So just what exactly are you doing in that cabin?
dw

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Bristle
Admiral

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USA
834 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2002 : 23:06:30

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
So just what exactly are you doing in that cabin?
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Boys, boys.... <img src=icon_smile_blush.gif border=0 align=middle>

Dave Bristle, 1985 C-25 SR-FK #5032 "Passage" in CT

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John Mason
Admiral

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USA
687 Posts

Response Posted - 04/17/2002 : 15:17:55

Well I'm not watching pay-per-view movies, that's for sure! Just using the radios and recharging some battery operated devices...

Hey! I'm talkin' flashlights here...c'mon now.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

John Mason - Ali Paroosa
1982 - FK/SR #3290

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