I'm creating the plan as these threads develop so thank you for describing your layout. Here's the current situation and the plan to this point...
The batteries currently reside in the lazarette alongside the fuel tanks. The A/B switch is in there as well and its the switch more than anything that's the large concern but the overarching concern is to eliminate any source of spark back there and given what I've read about trimming the waterline - the plan was hatched to move the batteries to the locker under the v berth. The PO has already built up a very nice and sturdy three piece floor insert up there (all pieces small enough to insert through the factory opening) so it's literally wide open for me in terms of where to place the batteries. I had planned on placing them about 24" apart - one on either side of the locker. Typing this now I'm wondering if there is any advantage to having those 65lb weights as far apart as possible from the standpoint of heel ballast?
The only other reason I was considering putting them apart from each other was so that I could cut in an access to that space as I saw one here once (reference pic attached). This space would be boxed out for easy access storage stuff.
My VERY crude "organizing my thoughts and shopping list" is also attached. Once I have everything identified and the loads associated I'll start planning the wiring and sizing. Solar panels are roughly to scale - checking sizing if I build an arch somewhat like the one I saw in this month's Good Old Boat.
We don't really have any marine shops around or much access to marine tinned wire that I know of so I'm hoping to do as much shopping as I can on Amazon (might as well get some use out of my Prime membership). The one hold up thus far was a good length of 4 gauge wire. I was only finding inches to 6/10/20 feet. Knowing I can break the wire at the buss bar helps. I suspect I'll want another good 50-60 amp fuse from the buss bar to the starter motor. It also helps knowing I can run to the buss bar and take off to the accessories from there as opposed to using the dual fuse block terminal to a dedicated buss bar. I do however still need the run from the panels at the back to the charge controller(s). Nowhere near knowing enough to size that wire yet.
For the house loads I am ordering the switch panel as shown in the diagram and a fuse block for all of the take-offs from the buss bar. For simplicity, all reading lights will be split on two circuits fore and aft and then likely another circuit for the cabin lighting - haven't decided which style just yet but loved what I saw in this video:
Power outlets again two circuits fore and aft for simplicity. Maybe the same circuit as the reading lamps. I'm contemplating the addition of mast spreader deck lighting - I don't know there is a need so will weigh that thought.
Not showing in the diagram yet are the bilge pumps, the VHF, the depth sounder or fish finder and the tiller pilot. I guess we'll want a light in the head too. And I want to look into a bladder tank (water) for under the v-berth and an electric pump of some sort - there is already a freshwater fill fitting up on the deck and the tube running down into the v-berth. Must have been something up there at one time.
Big project. Yup. But it's what I do. My daughters have determined I'm a tinker. They are correct ; )