Mod Time - battery placement

[Jim Seamans]

Happy Holidays to AllAs I sit here thinking of different things todo to the "BOAT". I'm planning to move and go to a better battery - AGMwith a higher capacity. I want to install it under thesalon seat forward of the compression mast. It will fitthrough the hole. Has anyone placed a battery in thisarea? What kind of problems did you run into? Howdid you attach it to the deck? I'm not sure if the water ballast tank is under there, will call Hunter after vacation.Reason for doing this is, Joan and I are planning longer curises of up to two weeks around the Chesapeake and want the reserve capacity of the battery.JimS/V Java

 

[Steve Dion]

Can't help with the boat, but you need a charger.

Jim:If you want to change to AGM or GEL batteries, you really should have a charger that is capable of handling the task. My suggestion is a Statpower Smart Charger 20 . They can be set for any batteries that you choose to go with. The only thing I can tell you about battery placement is the fact that you need to mount them solidily. With the AGM's they can be mounted on their side without any loose of power. You do not need to worry about servicing these batteries. The posts do not even corrode.

 

[Herman]

Go Gell Cell

I have two Gell Cells. It's been so long since I have seen them I am not sure what kind they are. They are in battery boxes. I check the terminals from time to time but haven't seen the the side for 5 years!Before you choose the placement check out the cost of the terminal wire. If you move the batteries too far from the current location you may find the wire is the largest part of the project, but then agian, nothing is too exspensive for our "mistresses".Safety note. US Goast Guard does not require batteries to be enclosed, however, ABYC does.

 

[Richard Gottlieb]

A better location (I think)

I have placed a second wet cell battery underneath the V-berth just forward of the water tank. The location is a good one I think because the battery can sit fairly securely braced against the water tank's forward side and is somewhat easier to reach (given the constraints of the table nearby) than underneath the forward settee

 

[Toomas]

Watch the ballast tank

before you drill holes in the H260.In my 26, the former owner put 4 screws through the top of the tank (to hold the cooler in place), and with a little silicon on top, that could have worked. After 2 years I had a mysterious leak, only when I had been sailing and most water when the boat was leaning to the starboard side.Toomas

 

[Michael Bell]

Consider wire size

The longer the run, the larger the wire you’ll need.

 

[Jim Loats]

Installing/moving the batteries forward

is a good idea, at least it was on my 95 H26. I moved all my batteries forward. Now the boat rides with stern about 2 inches higher. I have posted this before, but I enjoy telling the story, so here goes.I began by shaping two 1 foot sections of 2x4 to fit the hull and gluing them down with silicone caulk - might have been 5200. NO SCREWS HERE !! I made sure they had a horizontal surface to which I could screw a piece of plywood that I shaped to fit. I.e. I cut and recut it until it nearly held itself in place against the hull and the 2x4's. It is now held in place with a couple wood screws to the 2x4's.Then I prepared a place for the gel batteries (inside cases) with the tie down straps on the plywood. I was able to this part of the fitting topsides before I screwed the plywood down.Then I dropped the batteries into their spots. I used pretty heavy copper wire (I think 8 or 10 gauge) to make the long run to the elec. panel. These wires run along under the starboard seats and exit the aft side of the sink area next to the hull high up near the head liner. They are covered for about 4 inches by the carpeting.I am real happy with the set up.Hope this helps.Jim LoatsS/V Grizzly Bear

 

[Mark]

transom box

We fitted a false floor inside the transom box. It can be removed to get access to the fuel tank (we fill the fuel tank throught the bottom opening near the motor mount) if needed however when it is sealed there is no risk of fumes. The battery sits in on top of this false floor and it means it is easy to get to for service etc. We also have the VHF radio mounted next to the battery meaning when sailing single there is no need to leave the tiller to use the radio. regards

 

[Bernie]

Battery Power

Jim,Since I first bought my 260, I have always included a lot of battery power. Last year I relocated the batteries at the suggestion of Hunter because they thought I had too much weight aft with all the batteries and my heavy 4-stroke outboard. Since I don't have a waste tank, I moved my single 12v starting/deep cycle battery to the aft port locker on a shelf I fiberglassed to provide a flat mounting surface for it. The greater size of the port locker allows me to check the battery level more easily. For house loads, I use two T-105 Trojan Battery Company 6 volt golf cart batteries in series. These provide 225AH at a 20 hour discharge rate. They are heavy though, 124 lbs (62 lbs. each). To move them further away from the stern, I fiberglassed another piece of pressure treated plywood below the sink in the head to hold these batteries on a flat surface on top of the ballast tank. I chose golf cart batteries because they are relatively inexpensive and can take a lot of abuse in terms of discharging and charging.To be able to charge both my starting battery and my house batteries from my outboard, I have connected the two systems together with a "battery combiner" rated at a max 50 amps. To charge both systems from shorepower, I permanently mounted a statpower truecharge 20 multibank charger. I also can charge the batteries from a small and quiet Honda 1100 watt generator that I strap down between the helmsman's seat and the starboard cockpit locker. It will run for six hours at full rated load on a half gallon of gas. I simply connect its output to the shorepower plug if I am using it at anchor during a long stayover. The best thing about this generator is that it is very quiet, especially so when only loaded down by the battery charger. It is about the size of a fat briefcase and weighs only 37 lbs.To keep a close check on the batteries , I have a digital voltmeter connected to the starting battery, and a "Link 10" monitor connected to the house system. In addition, I have a 2000w inverter installed to provide 110v power from the batteries while away from the dock and not running the generator. My heaviest loads are a microwave, portable refrigerator/freezer, television, and high wattage light bulbs (75w) that I like to occasionally use for brighter lighting. I have been very pleased with this battery setup that I have used for about eighteen months now. If you have any questions about this setup, I would be happy to provide further information.

 

[Mike Gardiner]

Another option for longer cruises

I have added solar recharging to keep battery up when away from shore power. So far, it has worked great.

 

[Jim Seamans]

All good ideas

I will be installing a AGM in the forward area. I will look at the vee berth area to the forward of the water tank plus under the seat. I'll place pictures on the web when I get to it.Thanks All.JimS/V Java