Hello all, I'm a relatively new owner of a 1985 Hunter 31 in need of a few projects. It's my first boat so I'm a bit hesitant to do too much work myself but I thought it would be a good idea to do as much as I can to get familiar with the boat. To that end, I've decided my first project will be to install a new battery charger. After examining the wiring on the existing (automobile) charger, it looks like installing a new charger should be a relatively simple task. I plan to replace the automotive charger with a marine multi-stage charger but I'm not sure which charger I should buy. I've read all of the posts about Guest chargers and will avoid those, but I haven't seen much about other brands. I'm thinking of the Xantrex Truecharge 10 amp two bank hard wired charger (about $150 at West Marine) - does anyone have any experience with this one? My current battery setup is two "maintenance free" sealed wet cell batteries - and there's not much of a draw - no AC or refrigeration, just cranking and cabin lights/stereo. I'm keeping them for now but plan to switch to AGM at some point. Will I need a new charger when I switch from wet cell to AGM? Also, are there any really dangerous consequences to screwing up this install (other than the risk of electrocution should I forget to disconnect shore power)? If it starts to look too complicated, I'll probably just hire a battery guy to come out and do it(I hear there's a great one in Sausalito). My second project will be replacing the sanitation hoses. It seems the prior owner did this at some time - but replaced all of the hoses with "water hose" rather than sanitation hoses. The boat is starting to develop an odor, so I think I need to do this soon. Anyway, I have Peggy's book - which is great, but the whole project doesn't look to be much fun. Is this something I would have done in a yard or are there people that specialize in boat plumbing? If so, does anyone have a good recommendation in the Bay Area? Also, if anyone out there has had this done, how much did it cost? Thanks in advance for any advice. These boards have been a great resource to this relatively green sailor.
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Statpower 20 or 40+. & new hoses.
JT: Just spend the money on the correct charger once. Get a Statpower/Xantrex 20 or 40+ and you will have enough charger for anything you want to add to the boat. They will handle all the different technologies with a single charger (all batteries must the same type). As far as the sani hose is concerned, you may want to use the black sanitation hose that West Marine sells. It is the same price as the white Sealand hose but is easier to install. We have had it in our H'31 for 10 years and we have not had any odor problems. The difference is the ease of installation. The black stuff is NOT easy to bend, but is easier than the Sealand hose. You have some VERY tight places to run the hose so be prepared with a first aid kit (bloody body parts). You may want to get some of that stuff that the electrician use to lube the wire to pull it through the chases. Be sure to have a good friend to give you a hand (and I do not mean a spouse or significant other). We have hull number 505 since it was new. Great boat with very few problems.
JT: Just spend the money on the correct charger once. Get a Statpower/Xantrex 20 or 40+ and you will have enough charger for anything you want to add to the boat. They will handle all the different technologies with a single charger (all batteries must the same type). As far as the sani hose is concerned, you may want to use the black sanitation hose that West Marine sells. It is the same price as the white Sealand hose but is easier to install. We have had it in our H'31 for 10 years and we have not had any odor problems. The difference is the ease of installation. The black stuff is NOT easy to bend, but is easier than the Sealand hose. You have some VERY tight places to run the hose so be prepared with a first aid kit (bloody body parts). You may want to get some of that stuff that the electrician use to lube the wire to pull it through the chases. Be sure to have a good friend to give you a hand (and I do not mean a spouse or significant other). We have hull number 505 since it was new. Great boat with very few problems.
Chargers and hoses
The 20 amp will do the job a lot faster. But as long as the new batteries your planning to install aren't larger than Group 31's, say total bank size around 200 to 300 amp hrs; and even assuming you eventually add a refrigeration, the 10 amp charger will handle the load. When you upgrade the batteries, do both at the same time so you don't mix battery types. This should be a relatively simple and safe first project as long as you follow mfg instructions. One word of caution, as you examine and replace the existing wiring, or any component or system, NEVER assume that the previous owner did it right the first time. Always do your homework.
The 20 amp will do the job a lot faster. But as long as the new batteries your planning to install aren't larger than Group 31's, say total bank size around 200 to 300 amp hrs; and even assuming you eventually add a refrigeration, the 10 amp charger will handle the load. When you upgrade the batteries, do both at the same time so you don't mix battery types. This should be a relatively simple and safe first project as long as you follow mfg instructions. One word of caution, as you examine and replace the existing wiring, or any component or system, NEVER assume that the previous owner did it right the first time. Always do your homework.
I used the 10 amp charger
I am not recommending the 10 amp charger over a more powerful 20 or 40 amp one, , but I've had this exact 10 amp charger setup for about 3 years - I have 2 group 31 wet cells and a group 27 wet cell for isolated engine starting. I use a west combiner to keep the group 27 cell charged without being in the house bank. I mostly day (night in the summer when it is hot) sail, so I am seldom out more than one day away from the charger, and the boat usually has at least overnight to recharge between sails. I know this setup won't recharge very rapidly, but with my sailing habits, it is more important that the batteries not be fried by a bad charger, so I have to use a sophisticated one, just not a very powerful one. I installed myself, not difficult, but if you are unsure of tracing circuits on paper before you hook up things, better let someone else do it - big batteries have lots of amps, can get short circuited wires hot very quickly and start fires. Also, I monitor water in the batteries reguarly, and although I use cheaper batteries, I change them every 3 years. I value reliability and simplicity and so far this system has not let me down.
I am not recommending the 10 amp charger over a more powerful 20 or 40 amp one, , but I've had this exact 10 amp charger setup for about 3 years - I have 2 group 31 wet cells and a group 27 wet cell for isolated engine starting. I use a west combiner to keep the group 27 cell charged without being in the house bank. I mostly day (night in the summer when it is hot) sail, so I am seldom out more than one day away from the charger, and the boat usually has at least overnight to recharge between sails. I know this setup won't recharge very rapidly, but with my sailing habits, it is more important that the batteries not be fried by a bad charger, so I have to use a sophisticated one, just not a very powerful one. I installed myself, not difficult, but if you are unsure of tracing circuits on paper before you hook up things, better let someone else do it - big batteries have lots of amps, can get short circuited wires hot very quickly and start fires. Also, I monitor water in the batteries reguarly, and although I use cheaper batteries, I change them every 3 years. I value reliability and simplicity and so far this system has not let me down.
Sealand Hose
Get the best hose. What are you talking about here a few buck total! They are as close to odor proof as possible. I agree that they are hard to bend I used a hair dryer to heat the inside and the bend area and that helped a lot.
Get the best hose. What are you talking about here a few buck total! They are as close to odor proof as possible. I agree that they are hard to bend I used a hair dryer to heat the inside and the bend area and that helped a lot.
Replacing hoses
The advice on the battery charger is pretty well covered but I would like to add a suggestion on the hoses. Use the best hose you can afford and it will give you years of service. I would carefully check the outside diameter of the various hose barbs throughout your system, before you start. Many of the plastic and metal barbs have O.D.'s that are larger than the I.D. of some hoses, despite their labelled size. I have the scars on my knuckles to prove it. If all of the sizes and compatable, you will save a lot of time and aggravation.
The advice on the battery charger is pretty well covered but I would like to add a suggestion on the hoses. Use the best hose you can afford and it will give you years of service. I would carefully check the outside diameter of the various hose barbs throughout your system, before you start. Many of the plastic and metal barbs have O.D.'s that are larger than the I.D. of some hoses, despite their labelled size. I have the scars on my knuckles to prove it. If all of the sizes and compatable, you will save a lot of time and aggravation.
Thanks!
Thank you all for your input. Sounds like I have a fun project ahead with the hose replacement.
Thank you all for your input. Sounds like I have a fun project ahead with the hose replacement.
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