Battery install

[Bill Ogilvie]

Continuing the earlier discussion about installing a battery in a Catalina 22, here's what I did: Two U1 size battery boxes are held in place with wood bases on either side of the keel cable. This is real close to where the original A/B switch was mounted. I had to saw and file off the lower part of the Perko A/B switch to make it flush, so the terminals were easy to access. Just below the Aft Port seat I mounted a switch panel. The bundle of wires in the photo go to it. Originally I thought of mounting the batteries in the V-berth or the starboard locker, but realized they would get thrown around too much in those places. One AGM battery is installed and a second can be added later. The boat wiring is not complete, but the bow & stern light and a bilge pump are connected. A lot of carpentry for 1 battery, but wood is cheap and a loose battery in a boat is like a loose cannonball

 

[Aldo]

Bill: Neat Wiring

Bill: Thanks for sharing your photo with us. It's kind of like letting us snoop around your boat. I think that you did a neat job wiring your boat. (The company that I work for makes ring tongue terminals like you used on your terminal blocks).I have a few questions for you. Are your batteries Size 25? Please look at your photo as I marked it up. Are those your fuses? Also, is the white hose to your bilge pump, and is it located close to this area? Thanks again for sharing your photo with us. I know that it can be challenging to get a photo to upload. Aldo

 

[ken]

Hi Bill

Looks like it might be time to change that rubber hose at the volcano in your picture. Keep in mind that the volcano fitting is below the waterline... 'gotta change it on dry land. You don't want a $3 piece of radiator hose sinking the boat in SF Bay.Please don't take this as a criticism.... but rather an observation. Good sailing!I like your battery setup.

 

[Bill Ogilvie]

Cat22 Volcano

Agreed, the volcano tube needs replacing. I have one but I'm not a fast enough worker to try replacing it yet... I guess a big cork would do in a pinch.Aldo: I couldn't see your picture, but I'll try to answer your questions anyway. The battery is a type U1 AGM from an industrial UPS rack. WM has the boxes for them. The terminal strip is for connecting all the grounds. The positive wire from the A/B switch goes to the switch panel. There is a bilge pump under the aft seat; its outlet hose is jammed into the volcano tube. the round hole in the switch panel is for a voltmeter; more for appearance than function.Thanks for the kind words. I spent more time on this project than I should have.