I'm reworking the electrical system on my 1980 H33. I've got 2 group 27's in front of the engine, but where would be a good place to put a couple more - under the sink? When I got the boat, it had an 8D installed in the nav table footspace, but that is awkward and 8D's are hard to handle and dangerous if they break loose, so I'm looking for alternatives. So where have you guys put your batteries that worked well?
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Sam Lust
33 Battery Set-up
I was not real happy with the original battery arrangement on my 33 either. Two group 27's, one per bank just didn't seem enough. I also didn't like the fact that the batteries had to be completely removed to check or clean the shower sump. The solution? I mounted a shelf about 2 1/2" above the original mount point. 3/4" ply with a 3/4" ply strengthening rib screwed and glued. Unfortunately, with the angle of the front of the engine box and the extra length of the 3 cyl Yanmar I installed, this left room only for group 24's. The two of them are wired in parallel so they act as one larger battery. They were from the same day/manufacture lot so there shouldn't be a problem with charging. Above this pair is another shelf with room for a single group 31 mounted transversely. But it's not enough!!!! Over this winter I'll be installing a shelf above the prop shaft log between the back of the engine and the front of the fuel tank. This appears to provide room for at least a pair of group 31's and possibly more. The space is currently dead real estate, and with the PSS dripless seal installed I'm not concerned about immediate access for adjustment, although it appears access won't be a problem. Bear in mind I have cut my port side engine box panels so that I have immediate access to that entire area. This arrangement will provide me with two decent sized battery banks. The pair of 24's is a fine starting bank, and a pair of 31's or larger will be nice as a house bank. I agree with the choice of standard size batteries. I can wrestle them in by myself. When wired in parallel they serve the same propose. Unfortunately I currently have no decent pictures of the battery installation, but I will be posting pictures of my electrical panel relocation project in the Photo Forum. samlust@monmouth.com
I was not real happy with the original battery arrangement on my 33 either. Two group 27's, one per bank just didn't seem enough. I also didn't like the fact that the batteries had to be completely removed to check or clean the shower sump. The solution? I mounted a shelf about 2 1/2" above the original mount point. 3/4" ply with a 3/4" ply strengthening rib screwed and glued. Unfortunately, with the angle of the front of the engine box and the extra length of the 3 cyl Yanmar I installed, this left room only for group 24's. The two of them are wired in parallel so they act as one larger battery. They were from the same day/manufacture lot so there shouldn't be a problem with charging. Above this pair is another shelf with room for a single group 31 mounted transversely. But it's not enough!!!! Over this winter I'll be installing a shelf above the prop shaft log between the back of the engine and the front of the fuel tank. This appears to provide room for at least a pair of group 31's and possibly more. The space is currently dead real estate, and with the PSS dripless seal installed I'm not concerned about immediate access for adjustment, although it appears access won't be a problem. Bear in mind I have cut my port side engine box panels so that I have immediate access to that entire area. This arrangement will provide me with two decent sized battery banks. The pair of 24's is a fine starting bank, and a pair of 31's or larger will be nice as a house bank. I agree with the choice of standard size batteries. I can wrestle them in by myself. When wired in parallel they serve the same propose. Unfortunately I currently have no decent pictures of the battery installation, but I will be posting pictures of my electrical panel relocation project in the Photo Forum. samlust@monmouth.com
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steven f.
sink
I'm quite happy with my batter setup but I have nothing do to with. I purchased the boat a couple years ago and the previous owners had upgraded the engine to a Westerbeke 21a (24hp). While doing this the battery setup was changed. The starter battery was placed under the sink and the house batteries were a set of 3 volt gel's (I can't remember the name of the maker right now) wired in series. Two of them are under the sink also on the bulk head wall with the starter battery on the other side of the plumbing under that same sink. The other two gells are over the sump just in front of the engine. This seems to be enough for our use, if we decide we need more power we'll probably install a solar and/or wind charging system to keep them up. I am certainly curious as to how other H33's have their battery's set up.
I'm quite happy with my batter setup but I have nothing do to with. I purchased the boat a couple years ago and the previous owners had upgraded the engine to a Westerbeke 21a (24hp). While doing this the battery setup was changed. The starter battery was placed under the sink and the house batteries were a set of 3 volt gel's (I can't remember the name of the maker right now) wired in series. Two of them are under the sink also on the bulk head wall with the starter battery on the other side of the plumbing under that same sink. The other two gells are over the sump just in front of the engine. This seems to be enough for our use, if we decide we need more power we'll probably install a solar and/or wind charging system to keep them up. I am certainly curious as to how other H33's have their battery's set up.
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Brad
Batteries
I have two Group 24's in the battery space and then a Grp 27 in the bottom of the stove space attached to an inverter above, plus a Grp 24 gel cell in the starboard cockpit locker. I use the galley battery to run a TV/VCR or any 120 volt appliances, and the gel cell runs the macerator and shower pump, plus gives me a 12 volt source for additional cockpit gizmos - lights, air pumps, etc. I use solar panels to charge the two extra batteries and the alternator to charge the house batteries. I think an upgrade to two Grp 27s in the house/starter bank would be a good idea, and I've thought that with the Yanmar 2GM in there I'd have room for a battery shelf above the originals, but I haven't measured.
I have two Group 24's in the battery space and then a Grp 27 in the bottom of the stove space attached to an inverter above, plus a Grp 24 gel cell in the starboard cockpit locker. I use the galley battery to run a TV/VCR or any 120 volt appliances, and the gel cell runs the macerator and shower pump, plus gives me a 12 volt source for additional cockpit gizmos - lights, air pumps, etc. I use solar panels to charge the two extra batteries and the alternator to charge the house batteries. I think an upgrade to two Grp 27s in the house/starter bank would be a good idea, and I've thought that with the Yanmar 2GM in there I'd have room for a battery shelf above the originals, but I haven't measured.
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Ken Palmer
Sam, do you have photos?
I am very interested in the removal of the side panel on the port side of the engine that you spoke about. It would be nice if you have any photos of this modification? Thanks. Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty
I am very interested in the removal of the side panel on the port side of the engine that you spoke about. It would be nice if you have any photos of this modification? Thanks. Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty
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Tim Schaaf
Battery options
I have used four different layouts over the years. The first was the stock pair of group 24's in front of the engine...very little for cruising! Next, I substituted two golf car six volt batteries for the group 24's, and mounted a group 27 starter battery under the sink. Some years later, I pitched the group 24 and added a bank of two more golf car batteries under the sink, for a total of two banks of two batteries, each. Some years later, I tried gel cells (which, when closely questioned, their manufacturers say are NOT ideal for the tropics- too heat sensitive) and mounted two group 27's under the galley, two more 27's in front of the engine (all four parallel as one house bank) and one group 24 starter battery on top of the two in front of the engine. There is plenty of space. Finally, I went back to the previous option of two banks of golf car batteries, but I might add a group 24 starter on top of the engine pair. The whole system has always been properly wired, and I have a smart regulator and charger and 350 watts of solar chargers. So the charging systems have always been pretty optimal. My favorite arrangement is the twin pair of golf car batteries. The current ones are four years old, and in excellent shape. I live aboard and cruise.
I have used four different layouts over the years. The first was the stock pair of group 24's in front of the engine...very little for cruising! Next, I substituted two golf car six volt batteries for the group 24's, and mounted a group 27 starter battery under the sink. Some years later, I pitched the group 24 and added a bank of two more golf car batteries under the sink, for a total of two banks of two batteries, each. Some years later, I tried gel cells (which, when closely questioned, their manufacturers say are NOT ideal for the tropics- too heat sensitive) and mounted two group 27's under the galley, two more 27's in front of the engine (all four parallel as one house bank) and one group 24 starter battery on top of the two in front of the engine. There is plenty of space. Finally, I went back to the previous option of two banks of golf car batteries, but I might add a group 24 starter on top of the engine pair. The whole system has always been properly wired, and I have a smart regulator and charger and 350 watts of solar chargers. So the charging systems have always been pretty optimal. My favorite arrangement is the twin pair of golf car batteries. The current ones are four years old, and in excellent shape. I live aboard and cruise.
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Tim Schaaf
Battery options
I have used four different layouts over the years. The first was the stock pair of group 24's in front of the engine...very little for cruising! Next, I substituted two golf car six volt batteries for the group 24's, and mounted a group 27 starter battery under the sink. Some years later, I pitched the group 24 and added a bank of two more golf car batteries under the sink, for a total of two banks of two batteries, each. Some years later, I tried gel cells (which, when closely questioned, their manufacturers say are NOT ideal for the tropics- too heat sensitive) and mounted two group 27's under the galley, two more 27's in front of the engine (all four parallel as one house bank) and one group 24 starter battery on top of the two in front of the engine. There is plenty of space. Finally, I went back to the previous option of two banks of golf car batteries, but I might add a group 24 starter on top of the engine pair. The whole system has always been properly wired, and I have a smart regulator and charger and 350 watts of solar chargers. So the charging systems have always been pretty optimal. My favorite arrangement is the twin pair of golf car batteries. The current ones are four years old, and in excellent shape. I live aboard and cruise.
I have used four different layouts over the years. The first was the stock pair of group 24's in front of the engine...very little for cruising! Next, I substituted two golf car six volt batteries for the group 24's, and mounted a group 27 starter battery under the sink. Some years later, I pitched the group 24 and added a bank of two more golf car batteries under the sink, for a total of two banks of two batteries, each. Some years later, I tried gel cells (which, when closely questioned, their manufacturers say are NOT ideal for the tropics- too heat sensitive) and mounted two group 27's under the galley, two more 27's in front of the engine (all four parallel as one house bank) and one group 24 starter battery on top of the two in front of the engine. There is plenty of space. Finally, I went back to the previous option of two banks of golf car batteries, but I might add a group 24 starter on top of the engine pair. The whole system has always been properly wired, and I have a smart regulator and charger and 350 watts of solar chargers. So the charging systems have always been pretty optimal. My favorite arrangement is the twin pair of golf car batteries. The current ones are four years old, and in excellent shape. I live aboard and cruise.
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