Dedicated starter battery..need install info

Jun 17, 2012
203
C&C 35 MKIII Manitowoc, WI
Well we are only a couple days away from giving our 356 the big annual splash in Lake Mich. So exciting! This season I need the overnight stress reliever of knowing I have a separate dedicated battery for starting only. I am pretty decent at electrical mods..but if anyone has specially performed this on their vessel...your info would (and pics) would be helpful. Of course the end goal is to have this 3rd battery on the ready for starting needs but also have it integrated into the existing charging system without affecting the existing battery bank. Should have done this many waves ago..thanks
Jim in Nashville....encounter to Boyne City, MI
SV 2002 Hunter. 356-SamiDog
 
Feb 6, 1998
11,711
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
What do you have now for a battery switch?

Do you want a "reserve battery" or a battery that you start off each time that is 100% isolated from house loads....?
 
May 16, 2007
1,509
Boatless ! 26 Ottawa, Ontario
I have a Hunter 356 as well. My start battery is installed under the aft berth, very close to the factory battery box in the cockpit locker. It gets charged off an Echo charger. I use my house bank for starting normally if they failed I would switch to the start battery. Normally never have to touch the battery selector switch. House bank is 400 Ahrs, start is 110 Ahrs, all AGMs.
Bob
 
Jun 17, 2012
203
C&C 35 MKIII Manitowoc, WI
Thanks, yes, I want a reserve battery that is only used for emergency starting. And if possible it has the capability to charge with the onboard existing system. If possible I want to keep it simple. Currently I have a bank of 2-12v batteries with an A/B or both selector switch.
 
Feb 6, 1998
11,711
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
Thanks, yes, I want a reserve battery that is only used for emergency starting. And if possible it has the capability to charge with the onboard existing system. If possible I want to keep it simple. Currently I have a bank of 2-12v batteries with an A/B or both selector switch.
* Hard wire the two house batteries together in parallel and keep them on position #1

* Add a reserve battery and wire it into switch position #2

* If you want automatic charging of bank #2 add an ACR or Echo type charger

See this thread for more information:

1/2/BOTH Switch Thoughts & Musings