John Kittka asked for some pictures of the electrical upgrades I recently completed, including addition of a second 4D AGM battery, replacement of the original Group 27 reserve battery with a Group 31 and relocation to the forward compartment, and replacement of the stock 60 amp Yanmar/Hitachi alternator with a 110 amp Balmar with external regulator.
First 3 photos show the general arrangement. The stock fiberglass box exactly fits two 4D's. To move the reserve battery, I built a flat floor out of 1/2" StarBoard and screwed it to two cleats that were attached to the fore-and-aft bulkheads at the bottom of the compartment. The battery box for the reserve battery is both strapped and screwed to the StarBoard floor. The cables to the reserve battery were extended using a positive and negative BlueSea PowerPost, screwed to the bottom of the settee seat, and routed through a hole drilled in the bulkhead. All new/extension cables are 2/0 marine battery cables with appropriate lugs, made up by GenuineDealz.com (check them out if you need custom cables at a great price). All cables are enclosed in anti-chafe corrugated split loom, and are secured to the underside of the settee with several stainless cable supports. Fourth picture (charger in background) shows the connections on one of the 4D's to the charger, engine, and series jumper to the other 4D (the inverter supply connects to the positive on the second battery). The negative cables all connect through a shunt (barely visible attached to the underside of the settee in front of the charger) and supply the BEP battery monitor on the panel.
Last photo shows the engine with the new alternator, the external regulator attached to the bulkhead to the left of the coolant tank, and the associated wiring between the alternator and regulator (includes both battery and alternator temperature sensors in addition to the other wiring).
I'm quite pleased with the system overall. Only criticism is that it adds 135 more pounds to the starboard side of the boat, which does give it a slight list at rest but doesn't seem to affect trim under sail.
First 3 photos show the general arrangement. The stock fiberglass box exactly fits two 4D's. To move the reserve battery, I built a flat floor out of 1/2" StarBoard and screwed it to two cleats that were attached to the fore-and-aft bulkheads at the bottom of the compartment. The battery box for the reserve battery is both strapped and screwed to the StarBoard floor. The cables to the reserve battery were extended using a positive and negative BlueSea PowerPost, screwed to the bottom of the settee seat, and routed through a hole drilled in the bulkhead. All new/extension cables are 2/0 marine battery cables with appropriate lugs, made up by GenuineDealz.com (check them out if you need custom cables at a great price). All cables are enclosed in anti-chafe corrugated split loom, and are secured to the underside of the settee with several stainless cable supports. Fourth picture (charger in background) shows the connections on one of the 4D's to the charger, engine, and series jumper to the other 4D (the inverter supply connects to the positive on the second battery). The negative cables all connect through a shunt (barely visible attached to the underside of the settee in front of the charger) and supply the BEP battery monitor on the panel.
Last photo shows the engine with the new alternator, the external regulator attached to the bulkhead to the left of the coolant tank, and the associated wiring between the alternator and regulator (includes both battery and alternator temperature sensors in addition to the other wiring).
I'm quite pleased with the system overall. Only criticism is that it adds 135 more pounds to the starboard side of the boat, which does give it a slight list at rest but doesn't seem to affect trim under sail.
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