I have just traded my Catalina 30 for a Hunter 34 (1985) My question is, has there been any modification to the battery location by anyone? I have to go head first up to my belly button to reach the batteries while holding a flashlight and keeping my reading glasses on and not being covered with perspration, surely someone has improved on this.
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H34 Battery Location
I've seen improvements to both access and location of batteries on this vessel. To improve access consider adding an access door from the aft cabin to help make connections. I've seen others move them next to the water heater under the dining seat. I added two six volt golf cart batteries on the floor of the aft cabin to insure I have cold beer but never relocated the factory batteries (but replacing them is very difficult)
I've seen improvements to both access and location of batteries on this vessel. To improve access consider adding an access door from the aft cabin to help make connections. I've seen others move them next to the water heater under the dining seat. I added two six volt golf cart batteries on the floor of the aft cabin to insure I have cold beer but never relocated the factory batteries (but replacing them is very difficult)
Many places to put the batteries
I've read about several locations for the batteries. You might want to check the archieves. As I recall, they can be moved to the aft lazerette, but you'll need very long cables. Someone moved the starter battery to the port side in a compartment under the aft cabin berth. Someone else moved them next to the water heater. Others have gone to 6 volt batteries and scattered them about in places that make getting to them far easier. I have chosen to leave them where they are. However, I've replaced two of them with AGM deep cycle batteries, which require almost no maintenance. The starter battery is a regular wet-cell battery, that I check once every three months. Fortunately, I'm small enough to climb into the starboard lazerette, but I prefer not doing it unless absolutely necessary. :^( ~ Happy trails and sails to you ~ _/) ~
I've read about several locations for the batteries. You might want to check the archieves. As I recall, they can be moved to the aft lazerette, but you'll need very long cables. Someone moved the starter battery to the port side in a compartment under the aft cabin berth. Someone else moved them next to the water heater. Others have gone to 6 volt batteries and scattered them about in places that make getting to them far easier. I have chosen to leave them where they are. However, I've replaced two of them with AGM deep cycle batteries, which require almost no maintenance. The starter battery is a regular wet-cell battery, that I check once every three months. Fortunately, I'm small enough to climb into the starboard lazerette, but I prefer not doing it unless absolutely necessary. :^( ~ Happy trails and sails to you ~ _/) ~
Yep, that's one of the first mod's.
Mine are under the chart table seat. Any locker in the main-cabin or even the cockpit helmsman seat is fair game. Here's my tried and true picture. P.S. And feel free to relocate the battery switch too. Unless you like having it poke your butt while cooking.
Mine are under the chart table seat. Any locker in the main-cabin or even the cockpit helmsman seat is fair game. Here's my tried and true picture. P.S. And feel free to relocate the battery switch too. Unless you like having it poke your butt while cooking.
mine are under the helm seat...........
on the port side, didnt do the change it came that way. battery charger is in the starboard lazerette attached to the back of the galley board. mike
on the port side, didnt do the change it came that way. battery charger is in the starboard lazerette attached to the back of the galley board. mike
Moved mine into the cabin area
Put 2 6V house batteriea in series under the settee next to the water heater close to the center line and positioned the 12V starter under the sink close to center. Had to shorten the chart tubes. Used a common ground to minimize wires. Put a 4 stage charger on the bulkhead under the nav station. Granted you have to take the settee pannel off to get to the 6V battery caps but thats only once a year. It has opened up the old battery location for lines & fenders. With weight now near keel, boat now trims pretty even when at rest & hobby horsing has eased. BOL
Put 2 6V house batteriea in series under the settee next to the water heater close to the center line and positioned the 12V starter under the sink close to center. Had to shorten the chart tubes. Used a common ground to minimize wires. Put a 4 stage charger on the bulkhead under the nav station. Granted you have to take the settee pannel off to get to the 6V battery caps but thats only once a year. It has opened up the old battery location for lines & fenders. With weight now near keel, boat now trims pretty even when at rest & hobby horsing has eased. BOL
Careful with flooded batteries
I would only consider putting AGM batteries in the cabin. Flooded batteries, whether starter or deep cycle, will outgas hydrogen if even slightly overcharged, and the explosion danger increases rapidly the longer it goes on. Since no regulator is fail-safe and all of them are single-string electronics this is a real but easily avoidable danger--use sealed AGMs or put the batteries outside the cabin.
I would only consider putting AGM batteries in the cabin. Flooded batteries, whether starter or deep cycle, will outgas hydrogen if even slightly overcharged, and the explosion danger increases rapidly the longer it goes on. Since no regulator is fail-safe and all of them are single-string electronics this is a real but easily avoidable danger--use sealed AGMs or put the batteries outside the cabin.
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