Batteries!!

[Sailinnsc]

Hello all......

Let me preface this with an admission of ignorance....so you will be able to get past the laughter and realize this is a real request for enlightenment...?

I am very overwhelmed with the terminology of batteries....what the heck is a 4D....a 24....

What is the difference between a marine, house, starting, gel cel....and 20 other terms i have seen?

I am a new owner of a cat 22. S/k. #11659. And am looking at the pittiful state of the wiring on my new weekend home....

I plan to rewire everything and will end up with cabin lighting, bow, masthead, spreader, windex, and nav lighting.

Also plan to have power for a cd player, Vhf, depth, wind, compass instrumentation, and an aux 12 volt
Plug for a cell phone for overnight trips.

I have purchased a couple 5watt solar panels to keep things topped off...

Kicker merc. With hand starting, So no draw there...


What sort of battery will i need. To power these things, and how do i determine what size? 1 battery or 2.? Do i need a switch to turn it in and off?


Sounds elementary i know.....but i bought the boat to learn how to do things......and there seems to be a wealth of experience out there.......so i wanted to tap in...



Thanks in advance


Sailinnsc

 

[Joe Diver]

I plan to rewire everything and will end up with cabin lighting, bow, masthead, spreader, windex, and nav lighting.

The first thing you should do is get Don Casey's Complete Illustrated Sailboat Maintenance Manual.

 

[Stu Jackson]

You could start here, the West Marine Advisors, scroll down to electrical, also read the DIY Advisors in the left pane

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...51&catalogId=10001&page=West-Advisor-Articles

There are tons of books out there, everyone has their own favorite. Go to a chandlery and browse around.

 

[shipwreck66]

Probably a single Group 27 65amp deep cycle will do you fine.

 

[Roger Long]

There are pros and cons (primarily price) but, in my mind, AGM stands for (A)bsolutely, (G)otta, (M)ust have.

The idea of free acid in the bilge of my boat making chlorine gas mixing with the sea water while I'm trying to deal with whatever extreme event caused the batteries to spill outweighs everything else for me.

You will need to figure out a way to get them fully charged though or your will shorten their life. You'll need a bigger solar panel or a good, three stage, charger you can plug into shore power.

Oh yes, my friend spending a couple weeks in the hospital after having a wet cell (not even connected) blow up in has face while he was setting it down on the dock influences my thoughts.