H25 Electrical

[ChiTownSail]

I have been searching and searching for electrical ideas for my 1978 Hunter 25. Currently, I have just a single battery and an old Johnson 15hp outboard. I would like to upgrade the outboard to a new 4 stroke 15hp. But more importantly I need to revamp the electrical system.

I would like to add 2 more batteries or just 2 big batteries to run the whole boat. I know the output of the little outboard most likely wouldn't be enough to properly charge and manage the two batteries. A shore power plug, and a charger is where I start to get stuck. From there, I need to add a stereo and tie in the lights (all LED), vhf, and bilge pump. Any ideas for a basic system that would work? How would I properly ground a system like this where our boat has no zinc?

Thanks everyone.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Grounding for outboard powered boats is the negative of the battery bank.

A four stroke outboard is gonna be waaay heavier. Most 25 foot boats can do with 9.9 hp outboards. Ours did fine (C25) with a 7.5 hp here on SF Bay.

Electrical: adding batteries is easy. Try the West Marine Advisors: http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...01&page=Batteries-Second-Battery#.UUupwVdXr-I

Those advisors also have more articles that may answer your questions.

Adding a stereo is easy, just wire it up based on the instructions in the stereo manual. Your choice whether you want or need to have the memory on all the time.

 

[FourPoints]

At this point I have redone nearly everything about the electrical system on my H27, dig through my website (link is below) you should find lots of ideas. Btw, I opted to forego any shore power, and just charge from solar and the outboard engine. Have been quite pleased!

 

[ChiTownSail]

Thanks for the information.....I'll take a look at the sites mentioned...