Legend 40.5 House Battery Survey / Questions

[Rick D]

I don't believe there was a 'stock' area for house battery placement on 40.5's. I am a bit annoyed over my current placement of a set of golf carts in each of the aft cockpit lockers because: 1. it's a bunch of weight up high and in the stern and 2. it makes using that storage area difficult. Also, someday I may have to convert to LPG from CNG and I need some of that space for a locker. So, where are your batteries? If they are within the cabin, are they golf carts? In boxes? Are you satisfied with the location and battery choice? What would you change? I know Dany's 40.5 in Switzerland has batteries in the keel cavity, but golf carts won't fit there which is a shame since it's such a perfect place. But, Rolls are a bit out of the budget. I may just have to live with where they are, but before I buy replacements for my house bank, I'd like to know what my options are. Happy New Year!

 

[timvg]

I have 4 golf cart batteries in my starboard aft hatch

 

[Steve Dion]

Rick:

Problem solved! Break out the ol' check book and never look back.

http://www.odysseybatteries.com/battery/pc1800.htm

 

[windward54]

Rick:

Problem solved! Break out the ol' check book and never look back.

http://www.odysseybatteries.com/battery/pc1800.htm

OUCH! I have two sets of 6-volt batteries, one in the starboard lazerette, and the second in the settee, just forward of the sink. Was installed by the P/O, and seems to work ok. I use the portside swimstep lazerette for propane.

Only problem I have is the system is electrically at different lengths, so the charge floats off the inside batteries more than the outside batteries. It would be nice to have both sets together, and free up the lazerette though.

 

[Rich Stidger]

Rick,

The only other location that I can suggest is under the aft cabin berth. I have not measured so I can't be sure that GC's will fit, but that location would have the advantage of lower weight, more weight toward the center of the boat, and then you would have two free cockpit lockers. Periodic maintenance could be done when you change the berth linens. You would need to glass in some supports to which the batteries can be secured.

Otherwise I think that your best move would be to place all four of your GC's to one of the aft cockpit lockers. Tim has his in the starboard, mine are in the port. At least then you will have one of the lockers completely free for other use.

Regarding the balance for cockpit locker location, you will now have about 280# of batteries a bit off center. Maybe Tim can provide a sense of the imbalance effect. I have my generator in the starboard locker, so I am closer to balance thwart-ships but somewhat stern-heavy.

 

[Rick D]

Steve, my wallet won't open that far! Nice battery tho and would probably fit in the keel cavity. You are sure good at spending my $$$$$$$!

 

[Steve Dion]

You know that is exactly what I tell the wife!

You are sure good at spending my $$$$$$$! <not>

 

[timvg]

Like Rich (only reversed), I have my 4 golf cart batteries in the starboard aft locker and my Honda 2000 generator in my PORT aft locker. The fuel tank is also more on the port side, so having the batteries on the STARBOARD side helps. My boat sits fairly level, actually leaning slightly to Port when the fuel tank is full.

 

[windward54]

Steve, my wallet won't open that far! Nice battery tho and would probably fit in the keel cavity. You are sure good at spending my $$$$$$$!

You have money left in your wallet??? Don't tell Marlyn.

 

[wufibugs]

When I went over to 31s from 29s, Steve and I discussed the imbalance issue. With gas, galley, cng and head to starboard, I was loathe to load 2 31s in the starboard laz, but I did because it has the most room and is just on the other side of the engine compartment which makes for short cable runs. To try to compensate I shifted the cranking batt a little to port over the shaft couple behind the engine, and put the Freedom 20 inverter/charger [weighs about the same as 1 batt] under aft berth on the port side. I did have to widen the access to the stowage under the aft berth, and am working on reinforcing the area around the cut out. Since I am the next heaviest thing on the boat, I am condemned to staying aport.

 

[Bill Roosa]

Don't worry about the cable runs

I have 4-6 volt GCs in the starboard locker. Charger, electric winch relays, shore power outlet and inverter are in there too.
Don't worry about long cable runs as you will probably never use anywhere near the capacity of the required cables in normal use. The voltage drop is nill.

 

[Michael G]

Well any area with that much weight is a real pain. On my boat I have twin 8D's in the aft Starboard locker and a 6KW Phasor generator in the port side locker . A friend of mine also has a 40.5 and has six golf cart batteries under the aft cabin bed.

 

[Rick D]

Michael: thanks for the heads up. I'll do some measuring of the aft berth to see what I can put there.

 

[Rick D]

Well, I measured under the aft berth and I don't find enough room for golf cart batteries. Not nearly enough. Maybe for four group 27, 12 volts, but not for the tall GC's. So, I guess I just continue living with them in the aft cockpit lockers!

PS: OK, OK, I know I could get some AGM GC's and just put them on their sides, but for three times the cost of Sam's Club. Not worth that!

 

[Vinny]

How hard would it be to just raise the berth a couple of inches? On a 40 it can be done quite easily (in boat terms).

 

[Rick D]

Not so easy on a 40.5. Good thinking tho.

 

[wufibugs]

Cmon, Rick. Anyone lucky enough to be invited to steam about on a Hunter 40 should not complain about a lump or two under their berth.

 

[Vinny]

Cmon, Rick. Anyone lucky enough to be invited to steam about on a Hunter 40 should not complain about a lump or two under their berth.

No lumps. On a H40 the whole platform can be raised.

 

[Rich Stidger]

Hmmm

Dare I suggest that the reluctance to raise the berth might not be about a higher mattress but less overhead clearance?