Third Battery

[Pete Pasquale]

I want to install a third battery in my '84 C-30. Has anyone had any luke in finding a good location?

 

[Joe Luciano]

Just did this last month

I have an '87 C-30 and installed the third battery under the quarter berth right next to the hot water tank. I built a battery box holder out of plywood, including custom cut legs to match the boat curvature and screwed it into the wood support under the water tank. It's very sturdy and holds the battery box securely, I painted it, put the box and battery in place and wired it in parallel to battery #2. I ran the battery cables up through the power panel at the nav station and down to the battery under the starboard settee. Now I have two deep cycle size 24 batteries as my house bank and one starting battery. Doubled my available power on the house circuit. Seems like a winner so far and in my view this is the best location on my boat.

 

[Ron]

House bank above.

I installed a 440 amp house bank with 4 Trojan T-105's.Under the chart table lid is a compartment for storing charts, etc. I un-attached this and made the mounts about an inch up from where they were. This made the compartment a little smaller but gave me the added height for the 4 new Trojan's.I framed them in and wired them as bank 1. I used the standard batteries as bank 2. Wiring was easy because they are located so close to the panel. During service intervals I take the items out of the compartment above the new battery bank and remove the false floor. I can check water levels and then replace it again. Since the boat is not on the coast and I do not plan on much cruising I have removed 2 of the trojans. This gives me additional storage for things and if I want to add them I just simply drop them back in for an extended cruise.Works for me. If you want photos I'd be happy to submit them.

 

[Tim Dranttel]

Dual Battery Banks

I have a two battery deep cycle house bank in the factory location under the chart table and then added a GRP 27 starting battery under the quarter berth. I used a plastic battery box that is straped down to a piece of plywood that I fiberglassed into place. My house bank is #2 and the starting battery is #1 on the isolation switch. A combiner ensures both battery banks get charged from both the AC charger and the alternator. As boat projects go it was both relatively easy and worthwhile. West Marine's or Boat US catalogs have good discussions on the subject.TimTim