Battery Banks in H 31

[Eric Steege]

I recently purchased my hunter 31 and I am interested to hear from other Hunter 31 owners about how many batteries they have in their battery banks. My boat has four batteries. Two of them are near the engine in the aft cabin underneath the bed. The other two are underneath the table bench adjacent to the wall that separates the main cabin from the head. This boat is used in inland waters, and is used mostly for short trips, usually day sailing. The only explanation I have for the additional two batteries is a requirement for more power by the previous owner. After having extreme power problems on overnights, I found a short in one of the cabin fans. Once I eliminated the short, my power levels have been extremely adequate. I am considering removing the two extra batteries, but before I do I want to ask other Hunter 31 owners about how many batteries they have in their boat.

 

[Steve Dion]

They only came with two.

Eric:The boat came with two batteries (I think). The two that are under the aft berth. This is just fine unless you plan on using a Tape player or something that takes a lot of battery power. We only had 2 batteries on our boat for several years until we installed our refrigeration. We now have 4 batteries. 1 for starting, 1 for the housekeeping and 2 for the refrigeration. We keep her charged up with a Statpower 40 amp charger.

 

[Tim Leighton]

BATTERY UPGRADE

Eric: Steve is right, the H31 originally came with 2 batteries. In the earliest models they were placed in the aft stbd lazarette...you can see where the pan has a molded spot for them. Hunter quickly realized that there was too much weight on the stbd side (fuel, galley, and head all on one side) and moved the batteries to the location over the stuffing box. As for the extra batteries, if you have refrigeration, you should keep them. I installed a reefer in my 31 a year ago (a GREAT idea by the way!) and at the same time upgraded my DC power capability by adding two golf cart batteries to the storage area just under the port main cabin setee. They are used for the referigeration and house needs and I retained one of the other batteries just for engine starting in its original location aft of the engine. I also have a STATPOWER 40 charger and am very happy with the results. Oh yea, by placing the batteries on the port side, I finally eliminated the slight starboard list the boat had had since I purchased her 15 years ago! I would take a hard look at your power needs and remove those "extra" batteries only if you really don't have the requirement for the extra power. I would, however, think seriously about putting those batteries on the port side (assuming you have the same stbd list). Good luck!Tim

 

[Mac Lindsay]

Batteries

Eric;I have owned my 1984 H31 since new and at that time had a 3rd battery installed in parallel with one of the 2 batteries that came with the boat. I have 12v refridgeration and a volvo forced air furnace so the two batterys in parallel are used for all electrical needs and the 1 lone battery is for starting only. Keep all batteries in good order, check all levels monthly as a minimum. In 1984 the batteries were located behind the engine over the stuffing box. As a safety, build a tray around those batteries so any acid spill will not go into the bilge or corrode the stainless steel clamps on the stuffing box. Also, it is a good idea to secure those batteries a little extra so they will not come loose and fly onto the engine.My second battery in parallel is located in the starboard lazerette which raises a question for Tim. Where did you mount the baterries on the port side?Mac Lindsay sv Kitkatla 1984 H31