Add a third battery on Ben 323
- Thread starter Adhara2
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Yes. I now have 3 group 31s and solar. Anything in particular you want to know- or the whole shebang?
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2 things - where did you place the additional battery and how did you wire it - did you copy the original installation of the 2 original batteries?
Ron,
I have a Ben 343 in which I presently have two Gp 31 AGM batteries for the house bank only; both batteries are only two months old. I have additional space for one more Gp 31 and intend on installing soon. My present house bank has separate positive and negative cables to each house battery. My question is, did you run another separate set of positive & negative cables to the third battery or did you simply run a short set of jumper cables in parallel to the third battery?
As an aside, I intend on installing a Solbian 100 or 125 flex panel to my bimini so that I can run the isotherm refrigerator while cruising over a weekend.
Thanks for the input.
I have a Ben 343 in which I presently have two Gp 31 AGM batteries for the house bank only; both batteries are only two months old. I have additional space for one more Gp 31 and intend on installing soon. My present house bank has separate positive and negative cables to each house battery. My question is, did you run another separate set of positive & negative cables to the third battery or did you simply run a short set of jumper cables in parallel to the third battery?
As an aside, I intend on installing a Solbian 100 or 125 flex panel to my bimini so that I can run the isotherm refrigerator while cruising over a weekend.
Thanks for the input.
There's the OEM under the steps, one on the starboard side of the prop shaft, and I added the third in the cubby under the aft bunk, on the other side of the partition from the prop battery. Yes, the bunk board rests on it, but it's a low-weight area. SOme day i'll shim up the board or cut it and raise it a tad. I'm updating my DIY article about the install, and let you know whan it's ready to email to anyone.
I went to slightly larger batteries on my 323 and locations are the same as Ron indicated except my original #2 OEM battery location was on the port side of the prop shaft. The floorboards for the aft bunk had to be shimmed about 3/4 of an inch to clear the battery posts. Additionally, I installed rubeer covers on the cable attachments. Battery locations to por and starboard of the prop shaft keep the weight low and centered. with the weight of the anchor and chain in the bow, the boat sits level fore/aft and port/starboard. Since the bunk floor is not likely to be heavily loaded over the batteries, the location should not be a big issue.. Batteries are retained in battery boxes in all cases. Just add an extra OEM on/off switch for the third battrery.
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