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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Battery Configuration Question

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ksaubier
Deckhand

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USA
15 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/31/2005 : 13:24:58

Hello all... I haven't posted much on here but have been enjoying this forum and wanted to include some info about what I've been working on along with a few questions. I've been replacing/fixing some of the wiring on my 1980 swing keel, and setting up for the new Nissan 9.8 w/ electric start. There have been some posts about batteries before, but I'm still not decided on what's best for me yet. I admit I know very little about wiring and what would be an ideal configuration, but I'm striving to set things up the best I can day sailing and weekend overnights. I bought battery wire(6 ga I think) from West Marine and ran it back to the battery compartment. (I ran red and black, and intended to hook both up to the battery directly from the motor with an inline fuse on the pos(+) wire unless someone tells me why that's a bad idea.) I have the trolling motor disconnect hooked up and ready and intended to run the motor wires through the vent for now until I decide where I'd rather run them... came out nice I think although the connector is only cable tied up out of the way and not permanently mounted to the locker yet. I have an inline fuse (30amp) on the red wire in the battery compartment about 12 inches from the battery... screwed to the side of that compartment to keep it out of the way.

I have one group 27 battery I bought and looks like I can only fit a group 24 along side it in there without modifications. I'm thinking that I'll use a group 24 for starting the motor and have the motor connected to it most of the time, and use the group 27 for lights and accessories. The Group 27 is connected to the orange switch via a red wire going to the 1 position. What's the best way to keep the group 27 charged? Will my outboard keep it fresh, in which case I need to occassionally be hooked up to that battery while motoring? Or should I plan to take the group 27 off the boat to charge up overnight on a trickle charger periodically, etc.? I had looked at a diagram in a Catalina owners manual that showed 2 batteries hooked together via jumper on the neg terminal and uses 2 seperate pos wires going to the orange switch. If I went with that set up I'm not sure how I'd want to have the motor hooked up. I'm assuming I'd then want to hook the motor wires to the orange switch, but then I'd have to find a ground somewhere else... and I'm not sure where?

Thanks to the board for the previous posts on outboard selection, trolling motor connectors and new mount installation... things seem to be going pretty well I think. I have installed a new 4-spring mount (springs are a little stiff but I think it'll be ok as it breaks in)... used starboard and 4200 to seal it around the holes and the edges. I also bought a "flat four" trailer wiring connector and used it at the base of the mast to hook the wires up there so they would disconnect easy, be reasonably weather resistant, and replace the crappy crimp on connectors that were there before. Next I'll have to tackle some of the other bad wiring I've found that hooks the radio up straight to the battery unprotected, etc.

I'll try to get some pictures on here when I'm done...

-Ken

Edited by - on

matsche
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
280 Posts

Response Posted - 05/31/2005 : 16:58:40

Ken:

The Nissan (or any other small outboard) doesn't require a separate starting battery. If you have shore power, you might want to consider using 2 24s with a TrueCharge 2-battery, 3 stage charger. I use the 10amp version. It's a lot less hassle then having to take your batteries home with you and can extend the life of your batteries by keeping them topped off. The 24s are relatively cheap and should fit together under the starboard settee. If you use a 2-battery charger, then the batteries need to be the same.

You might also want to consider a battery switch, instead of wiring directly to the battery. That allows you to shut off the system completely and maintain your battery charge longer. They're pretty cheap and easy to install.

Do you plan on expanding your electrical system later? Adding a radio, 12 volt plug in, VHF, etc...? If so, take a look at the various fuse boxes available at West Marine and other places. They're nice for centralizing your fuses and avoid the proliferation of in-line fuses everywhere.