[C320-list] Starting Battery Installation

[Barry Fahrer]

Has anyone thought of putting the starter battery between the rudder post 
and the aft cabin rear bulkhead. It looks like a group 24 battery would fit 
in that spot and be on the ceterline of the boat.  The wires would have a 
short run to the engine, and it looks like it would be a short run to the 
carger which is mounted in the port lazerette on a shelf.   The next time 
I'm at the boat I will check the clearence there.
BARRY --... ...--
C-320 #126
GLEN COVE LINY
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Darrell" <dgray at n-sea.org>
To: "C320-List" <C320-List at catalina320.com>
Sent: Monday, May 22, 2006 11:20 AM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Starting Battery Installation


>A group 24 is more than adequate for starting the engine. I used a plastic 
>battery box and plywood but I imagine glassing in a permanent shelf would 
>be a better solution. I bought  a small Optima AGM battery for not much 
>more than a flooded one that has much the same charging pattern. You might 
>consider replacing the Perko switch with a Blue Sea Battery switch. They 
>make one to fit the same space. It isolates the starting battery and house 
>batteries in the on postion and has an optional combine position for 
>emergencies. I also installed a battery combiner between the starting and 
>house bank so when the the house bank is charged, the alternator starts 
>charging the starter battery. I ran a heavier gage wire straight from the 
>alternator to the starter so I utilize the heavier wire back to the panel 
>for charging. I understand that running appropriate gaged wire directly 
>form the alternator to the batteries would be the most effiecient way to go 
>and you eliminate the problem of someone switching to off while the engine 
>is running. That is next on my list of electrical upgrades. Darrell
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Quentin Murphy" <qmurphy at sympatico.ca>
> To: "C320-List" <C320-List at catalina320.com>
> Sent: Friday, May 19, 2006 5:45 AM
> Subject: [C320-list] Starting Battery Installation
>
>
>> I'm going to heed the advice of many on this group and install a Starting
>> Battery, as my original 4Ds are showing their age.  I will then replace 
>> the
>> 4Ds with Deep Cycle type.  I'm staying with flooded batteries
>> throughout...cost.  But I have a few questions.
>>
>> Will a Group 27 battery fit forward of the two 4Ds or should I go with a
>> Group 24 (automotive size)?  I understand a Group 24 is plenty to start 
>> my
>> Yanmar engine.  How have others supported this extra battery?  Have they
>> used plywood alone or plywood covered with fibreglass?
>>
>> I going to use a separate Perko ON/OFF switch for the starting bank and
>> leave the original OFF/ONE/TWO/BOTH battery switch for the House Bank. 
>> In
>> addition I was going to install a key-switch to use as an emergency 
>> combiner
>> in case the starting battery will not start the engine.  My original 
>> battery
>> switch and two battery circuit breakers are mounted on the starboard side
>> teak panel with an engraved plastic laminate dress-panel.  It looks like
>> this dress-panel is screwed into the Perko switch with four screws. 
>> Where
>> have others located the additional two switches?  I was thinking of 
>> having a
>> new larger laminate dress-panel made with new lettering to house all 
>> these
>> switches.   There's plenty of room on the teak panel to go higher.
>>
>> Then there are the chargers.  I have a Charles 20-Amp which can handle a
>> third bank, so I suppose I just run one #10 red wire with an in-line fuse
>> for that.  Does anyone know the length required as it seems to take an
>> interesting route?  For the Alternator, I was going to use an Echo 
>> Charger
>> which I understand will allow me to tie into the alternator, but keep the
>> banks separate and not overcharge either bank.  Where does the existing 
>> wire
>> come from the alternator to the battery bank, so I can determine where to
>> locate this Echo Charger?
>>
>> Any suggestions from those who have gone through this would be greatly
>> appreciated.
>>
>> Quentin Murphy
>> Celtic Knot #667
>>
>>
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>
>
>