Starting battery placement

[David Garrison]

Hi. I have a 1986 Catalina 30 and would like to add a separate starting battery to augment the 2 batteries that are underneath the chart table. In fact, I am going to replace the 2 group 27 batteries under the chart table with 2 6 volt batteries. That should give me about 50ah more capacity than what I have now. I can only find 2 good locations for mounting a starting battery: in the aft quarter berth locker next to the fuel tank and in the forward dinette settee locker (I have a dinette model). The mounting next to the fuel tank will keep the cable runs the shortest but I am wondering if it is unwise to mount in the same space as the fuel tank.Any thoughts on this or any other suggestions for placement? Also, anyone have experience with the West Marine Sea Volt 6 volt batteries? I am also considering Interstate and Trojan.Thanks,Davids/v Kindred Spirit

 

[John G]

Batteries

David,I have a 75 Catalina 30 and both batteries are in the "engine room." Port side, between the holding tank and the A4 gas engine. SOunds like a good place for the starting battery. John

 

[Joe Luciano]

Battery Placement

I have an '87 C-30 and just recently completed a 3rd battery installation under the quarter berth. It has worked out well. I built a battery box holder out of plywood with custom legs to keep it horizontal. Cable lengths were very reasonable. It was the best place in my opinion.

 

[David Garrison]

Where exactly?

Thanks for the response Joe. I was thinking that under the quarter berth was probably best because it is near the charger and the electrical panel. It would be nice to keep the runs short. My main concern was whether or not it would be a problem to mount the battery box next to the fuel tank.Where exactly did you place your battery box? How did you handle venting?Thanks,David

 

[Mike I]

Battery

I have an '80 C-30 with an M25xp. I have the starting battery as close to the engine as possible, on the port side about 10" from the engine. I can use larger cable (AWG #1) without a significant voltage drop. The distance to the charger is slightly longer, but there too, I can use a bit larger wire if necessary.

 

[Joe Luciano]

Exactly where

I put it at the forward end,under the quarter berth. You'll want to use the deepest part of this space. On my '87 it is just to starboard of the hot water tank. In fact, I anchored my custom battery box holder to the supporting wood for the water tank. My charger is mounted right next to it on the forward wall under the quarter berth. My fuel tank is further aft and about 8 inches away. The battery box is vented and the air space around it is large and connected to the overall engine air space. I didn't worry about doing anything more since I don't have a problem with the other two batteries in the smaller space under the starboard setee. I use two batteries in parallel for house power, and the other as a starting battery. Good luck!

 

[Todd Osborne]

Better yet...

My brother in law (an electrician) helped me out & found the perfect spot. The compartment with the original two batteries has a fiberglass shelf in the very back, (created from the Hull liner I think).. You will need to cut the rear portion of the existing middle teak shelf to expose it. rotate your battery 90 degrees form the others & place on the rear fiberglass shelf. You will need very little cable & still be connected to our battery switch at the nav station. Mind that you may have to dissasemble the nav station to get the teak shelf out!