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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Going to bite the bullet and install 2nd battery

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britinusa
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USA
5404 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/30/2005 : 08:40:22

We're planning a 5 day trip at end of July and really don't want to get caught without power. So I'm going to install a 2nd battery and a Solar Cell for charging.
have read a bunch of posts on the subject, but nothing really definitive (havn't found it yet)
Things I would appreciate advice about.
a) Location of 2nd battery - I'm thinking fwd of the water tank under the V-birth, option is for the Stbd side cabin locker (but worried about balance of boat with a 90Ah brick in there.) The existing battery is behind the aft bulkhead in the aft berth.
An advantage of the fwd position is the ability to haul it out via the foredeck hatch if needed.

b) Connecting to the general panel. Parallel connection, but is it worth it having a battery selector switch?

c) Solar Charger, The best solution I've seen so far is the detachable rail mounted method. But what about electrical connections.

Anyone got a good diagram for a proven system?
Methods of battery hold down?

TIA.
(25Yrs Royal Navy rotary wing electronic systems experience will help me along)

Joint Decision. (Sold)
PO C250WB 2005 Sail # 841.

Moved up to C34 Eximius

Updated August 2015

Edited by - on

jkittka
Deckhand

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8 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2005 : 11:48:22

Placed my second on port side to help balance outboard weight. After many attempts I found that buying a good electricians fish tape was the easiest and fastest way to get wires behind the galley and then behind the water tank over to port side. I also bolted the mount (home made from wood) for the battery box directly to the side of the bench using finish washers on exposed bolts in cabin. I put in a battery switch but in retrospect question why, do you really need to isolate the house bank from the starting bank if you can use a pull start on the outboard.

Edited by - on

Capt. Kurt
Navigator

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185 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2005 : 11:58:24

Check out this great thread from Ben, detailing how he added a 2nd battery along side existing one.
http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7495

Kurt
#818 C25WK 'Tortuga'

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cathluk
Admiral

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USA
513 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2005 : 13:32:37

We added our 2nd battery in the aft compartment towards the port side. It offsets the outboard & water tank (which is under the port setee on my '97). I'm not expert, but add the battery in the v-berth you need to make sure you size the wires properly for that long a run back to the panel & charger.

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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1913 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2005 : 16:20:00

I removed the old 24 battery and replaced it with 2 deep cycle 27's. I cut a piece of 3/4 inch plywood large enough for the 27's and fastened it on top of the existing battery tray in the aft compartment. The existing tray has a flat lip around the top that allowed me drill 4 holes and bolt the plywood down to it. I then installed 2 after market battery trays to the plywood. My thinking was, I did not want to destroy the existing tray. I may change my mine some day and want to reuse it. Made up a couple of short battery cables and connected the 27's in parallel. I have no battery switch and really don't think I need one.

I have a 12 volt lighter female plug mounted in the Port combing pocket in the cockpit, this allows me to plug in the solar panels when needed and keeps the plug protected from the weather. (also lets me have 12V power to run other things in the cockpit like blenders

, spotlight, etc.) The plug is wired to a 7 amp battery charge controller (West Marine $31) which is mounted on the aft bulkhead and wired to the batteries. I have 2 10 watt solar panels I picked up off E-bay, both have 12 volt lighter male plugs. I can use just one panel or use both with a pig tail if I need it. I wanted to keep it simple.

Edited by - Tom Potter on 06/30/2005 16:32:13

britinusa
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5404 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2005 : 19:31:12

Tom, that sounds like my kind of simplicity.
Think I'll hook up the battery on the port side aft of the berth on a base. I'll look at making one from fiberglass similar to the one that is beneath the original battery box. I'll start to search out the solar panels. What brand were they and how do you mount them on the boat. (RAM mounts ???)

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Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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1913 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2005 : 20:20:50

I didn’t mount my panels. I like having them loose, I can move them around to get the best sun. While at the dock I usually lay them on the wing seats like in the picture below or lay them on the cockpit seats wherever the sun is best. When sailing I throw them on top of the bimini or gas gas tank storage box or disconnect and store them. I have Solarex MSX-10L, they have a stainless back and rubber grommets on the corners so you can tie them down if needed.

If your going to stick with the 24 battery size, Catalina Direct sells the fiberglass battery trays, $48. http://www.catalinadirect.com/store/StoreHome.cfm

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Sam
Deckhand

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USA
1 Posts

Response Posted - 07/01/2005 : 18:19:46

Skipper, I noticed the speakers mounted beneath you rear pedastal seats. How are they mounted and where do the leads enter the boat and run?

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Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 07/01/2005 : 21:21:43

Sam
The speaker bracket is mounted to the seat bottom. In the picture below you can see a couple screws on the top of the seat (in the middle), they are counter sunk so they are flush with the seat. The wires run down the aft seat support and through a small hole drilled right at the base of the aft seat support. The previous owner taped the wires to the seat support with some king of heavy duty chrome tape. Not bad looking but... I might have tried to run the wires in the seat support tube. It would be a little more work but would look better.

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MrPills
Deckhand

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USA
5 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2005 : 06:26:46

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by britinusa
 We're planning a 5 day trip at end of July and really don't want to get caught without power. So I'm going to install a 2nd battery and a Solar Cell for charging.
have read a bunch of posts on the subject, but nothing really definitive (havn't found it yet)
Things I would appreciate advice about.
a) Location of 2nd battery - I'm thinking fwd of the water tank under the V-birth, option is for the Stbd side cabin locker (but worried about balance of boat with a 90Ah brick in there.) The existing battery is behind the aft bulkhead in the aft berth.
An advantage of the fwd position is the ability to haul it out via the foredeck hatch if needed.

b) Connecting to the general panel. Parallel connection, but is it worth it having a battery selector switch?

c) Solar Charger, The best solution I've seen so far is the detachable rail mounted method. But what about electrical connections.

Anyone got a good diagram for a proven system?
Methods of battery hold down?

TIA.
(25Yrs Royal Navy rotary wing electronic systems experience will help me along)

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Edited by - on

MrPills
Deckhand

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USA
5 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2005 : 06:35:03

If I could dare make a suggestion considering I am brand new to this forum and a stinkpotter for awhile, I highly recommend one of those portable batteries with a handle and the short jumper cables on the sides. Fully charged, they will start 3 cars, and I ran a 5 inch tv after an ice storm for about 18 hours, plus it has two cigarette lighter type plug-ins for anything that is 12 volt. It will definitely run a small outboard for awhile. It doesn't weigh much and it could be insurance after the 2nd battery runs out, though I fully support the solar systems. Just putting my 2 cents worth in. Pills

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britinusa
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5404 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2005 : 20:02:33

Welcome to the Forum Tim,
We have only owned 'Joint Decision' for a full month now, the learning curve is still steep, but we are getting a lot out of the boat (though we put a lot into it too!)
Looking forward to hearing from you as you get your boat and get out there.

Edited by - on

coldducks
Captain

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USA
342 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2005 : 23:12:44

have you thought of adding an inverter and battery charger. the best improvement we have made. we can run a coffee pot, hair dryer, tv and heater. expensive, but worth it.

Edited by - coldducks on 07/09/2005 06:59:42

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