H25 battery placement ideas

[s/v Mariah]

My battery is currently housed under the starboard cockpit seat-- right next to where I keep the gasoline. I'd like to change this setup, for obvious reasons. My idea is to move it inside, under the port settee, where the control panel is (I'm not sure why it's not already there, but my electrical needs are fairly minimal-- only interior LED lights, nav lights, and electric starter for the outboard).The only real issues I see are that I'll need a longer cable for the electric starter and will have to run the cables for the solar panel inside. Anyone else have any ideas or examples as to how to set this up?

 

[JoeWhite]

My batteries were already inside the port settee. I added a second battery next to it and installed battery switch. The cables were #6 cables ( about 1/4") and they worked well. I very seldom started the engine using the electric starter. I used the pull chord and it started on the first pull.

 

[Benny17441]

Batteries are heavy so I like to keep them in the center of the boat. If your boat currently does not have a list to starboard it may develop one to port when you relocate the battery or see the need to install a 2nd one. Do you have any space behind or below the companionway steps?

 

[braol]

I vote for settee. Easier access, relatively close to the centerline, nearer the panel... I'm actually moving mine this week in my H27 (been planning to move battery for weeks). Under the companionway stairs sounds good too...as long as access isn't an issue. I can't put mine there because of the inboard....I envy outboard boats because of all that potential extra inboard storage space.
I don't see balance becoming an issue with the relocation...heck, if hanging the battery aft under the cockpit seat didn't move your balance out of whack then installing it forward, lower, and closer to the certerline should be great!
Oh, and for a cheap replacement deep cycle battery I go Walmart all the time...every time!

 

[Db421]

My house battery is under the settee. added a starter battery in the starboard lazarette. the cable run is fairly short and the starter battery is much lighter than the deep cycle house so I haven't noticed a trim issue.

 

[DianaOfBurlington]

Don't keep gasoline below deck!

My batteries are under the settees, one to each side. This is the very best place to add any weight at all. I have a 3rd battery for the outboard under the starboard cockpit seat (behind the galley, where the water tank was). This one is 'compensated' by a flexible water tank under the port settee, forward of the battery.

Why do you store gasoline in the locker at all? :naughty: Most of us with H25s know that Hunter's idea of the 'gas-can locker' under the port seat was an abject fail. Keeping a UV-stable tank at the aft end of the cockpit, under the tiller, is safer and more sensible. On my boat I installed a 12-gallon tank under the cockpit floor, adequately vented and all. That's not the same as a 'portable' tank or Jerry-can. My 2-gallon spare can gets stored on deck.