RELOCATING BATTERIES

[Tim]

I considering moving my house batteries from their awkward location aft of the engine and directly on top of the stuffing box to the aft stowage area under the port settee. This will allow me to leave just one starting battery close to the engine and get some much needed weight on the port side. For those of you who own mid-80's H31's (mine is an 85), you have probably had the same problem with too much weight on the starboard side. I'm also going to install refrigeration as part of this job. The basic plan is to build a low sided box shelf in the stowage area, and glass it all in. Probably going to use 6v golf cart batteries. Wiring will run under the cabin sole into the bilge (right at the top shelf where it is dry and the knotmeter/depth wiring is)then into the engine compartment and up to the electrical panel. Looking to use the same switching system that West Marine recommends (ON/OFF only for each battery bank). In any case, has anyone out there done the same thing? If so, please let me know what your results were. I'm specifically concerned about cable runs, and voltage drop for the length of cable required. I will take lots of photos of the job and post them in the photo site.Smooth Sailing,Tim ("TIDE")

 

[M. Kraus]

Relocate

Do you plan to add insulation to the ice box? and if so, how? Also, where do are you going to locate the compressor? I've been thinking of this upgrade for some time. One problem is that the Yanmar 2gmf of this vintage has a 35 amp alternator. refrigeration would require a higher output alternator, 75 amps or better. what are your plans in that respect. Between an Adler Barber Cold Machine, Batteries, Alternator, Switchgear and Wiring plus carpentry, glass work and blood, this upgrade could cost $2000.00. I keep thinking of all the ice I could buy for the money and do I want to put that kind of money in a 16 year old boat?

 

[Steve Dion]

Icebox insulation

Just for your information. I tried to figure out just how much insulation there was on the box in the H'31. I cut a hole for the inspection plate under the galley sink (close to the bottom). To my suprise the entire cavity is full of foam.My next endeavor will be to use structural foam sheets over the portion of the box in the pit. The is will cover this with some plywood and caulk it. Also going to put some type of seal around the lid on the box too. Other that that I do not see that there is much that can be done to these units. The refridgeration was one of the better additions that we made to our H'31. Used the Technautics Coastal unit and have been very pleased with it. We are now able to leave perishable items in the box between trips and the beer is always cold.As far as locating those batteries there, did you consider placing them under the port settee. This would be a shorter run to the engine and the weight would be lower in the boat. You would need to modify the access boards, but that would not be too difficult. We actually did add a battery to aft lazarette. But I think that adding too much weigh on the stern and up that high is probably not the best idea.

 

[Roger Mummah]

Hunter 31 Batteries and Refrigeration

Endless Summer is a 1983 Hunter 31 #58.We have four 6 volt golf cart batteries and one size 27 starter battery. Two of the 6 volt batteries are where the water heater WAS and the other two are under the settee on the port side. I'd be happy to supply more details if you want them. This system has been tested by 6 months of cruising.We also have two Siemens SM-55 soalr panels and a Four Winds 20 amp wind generator to keep the batteries up to snuff.Other boats had to run their diesels once or twice a day to charge their batteries. We NEVER had to run our diesel for that purpose.Endless Summer also has a Grunert air/water cooled refrigeration system. I installed that too. The Grunert is about the same as the Adler/Barber. It performs flawlessly. I can supply the details for this too, if you want.