Battery bank for Cat 22

[Art]

Happy Hollidays!I am looking at buying a 1984 Cat 22. I have been chartering for many years on boats twice that size and bigger. I am use to having a bank of bataries to work with. Now this may sound silly but, is one battery realy enough when anchoring out, night sailing, using the vhf, and such? I am not a power hog but I wonder how to best keep the battery(s) charged (like on a multipul day trip), and does it make any sense to put more than one battery in the boat to increase amp hours?An additional question: how about a depth gague on a Cat 22? Any suggestions?ThanksArt <)))><

 

[Rick Amon]

battery bank, correct article posting reply

I have in place two deep cycle batteries connected to a Blue Sea Battery switch. The switch also has a house bank, two pole switch, to isolate all batteries from my accessories. Attached to the alternator connection on my switch I have connected a MorningStar Solar controller which is connected to a 32 watt solar panel.This configuration eliminates the need for any shore power connectivity. I have my 8 horse's alternator also connected to the switch, which provides minimum amperage. My 2nd battery is there for a spare, for emergency use (radio, loran etc) in case I run out of juice, on my first battery. I have never had to use my second battery, and my draw on the first is quite considerable on my sailing trips. I hope this helps. Rick

 

[Dan]

solar panel

I use one marine deep-cycle battery, 110 amps, and I have a 11 watt solar panel. I do sail at night a lot, but I don't have any other loads than nav lights, stereo, and occasional blender. A larger solar panel would allow me more.

 

[Gary]

Depth gauge

A FISH FINDER MAKES A GOOD DEPTH GAUGE AND THE ONE I USE FROM EAGLE HAS WATER TEMP. SPEED AND DISTANCE ALL FOR ABOUT $150.00.

 

[Bill Ogilvie]

Don't get grounded for want of a

depth sounder. I bought a '76 Cat 22 in Sept. and have been rewiring it since then. It had a thru-hull transducer, but no depth gauge. I bought an older style one for $10.00 that works fine. Eventually I'll get a new depth sounde and replace the existing transducer.

 

[Jack]

Battery bank, fish Finder

Art, fish finder way to go, mine works great mounted on stern! Battery kit sold by Catalina Direct for $69.00 , our just buy parts and do yourself, it looks pretty simple to wire one in. The Catalina 22 has a great basic electric system .I am also going to add secound battery as spare, have not done so yet ,we are real battery hogs but have never run it even close to flat. We also charge only solar. Sail once twice a week never a dead battery yet. But then we are the land of 24-7 Sun. Good luck finding a Catalina 22, a great boat that can be had used at good prices!Jack Catalina 22. Fin Keel 1979, #9131 San Diego CA