[C320-list] Golf Cart Batteries in Boats

Wed Oct 24 07:37:30 PDT 2007

John and Karl-I am curious why sailboat manufacturers don't offer golf cart 
batteries as stock items on their new boats?  I have yet to see them even 
offered as an option on a new sailboat.

Bob Sloat
Savannah 894
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Frost" <john at frostnet.net>
To: "'C320-List'" <c320-list at catalina320.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2007 6:40 AM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] FW: Re: Xantrex charger - battery bank 
setupwithstartbattery

> Thanks Karl. I just got to look at the photos this morning and they really
> helped. I'm on my way to St Louis this morning to see my new boat in 
> person
> and meet with the installer of all my new "toys". His banker will soon 
> love
> me.
>
> Best Regards,
> John Frost
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com
> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Karl Mielenhausen
> _/)
> Sent: Friday, October 19, 2007 8:49 AM
> To: C320-List at catalina320.com
> Subject: [C320-list] FW: Re: Xantrex charger - battery bank setup
> withstartbattery
>
>
> John,
>
> Congrats on the purchase of a new C320!!!
>
> I added a Walmart Maxx 1N battery as a starter, just forward of where my
> 4D's were. About the same time, I converted the 4D's to golf car batteries
> (you will probably do that when your 4D's die in 4-5 years).
>
> The stock 4D's are a combination battery, not designed for true deep 
> cycle,
> like golf car batteries are.
>
> I took the easy wiring solution and utilized the existing "1-2-Both" 
> battery
> switch. I put the starter battery on #2 and the house bank (all 4 golf car
> batteries) on #1. My Xantrex charger has 2 legs, so one goes to the 
> starter
> battery and the other to the house bank. All batteries need to be the same
> type (ie. lead acid, AGM, etc) for this to work but the charger seems to 
> do
> a good job of dividing its output to charge the bank that needs it the 
> most,
> which is in my case, always the house bank. In fact, I leave the battery
> selector on #1 for engine starting and alternator charging, and hold the
> starting battery in reserve IF the house bank will not start the engine.
>
> One option you might consider, especially if you plan on a lot of cruising
> and anchoring out, would be a better alternator/regulator. My stock 
> Hitachi
> 55 amp with its internal regulator is pretty anemic when it comes to
> "refilling" the 440 AH house bank. I'm sure I get a decent output for only 
> a
> few minutes and then it drops down to avoid overcharging. A smart, 3-stage
> external regulator coupled with a 100 A alternator would be much better. 
> Or
> you could buy a portable Honda generator and run the 120VAC onboard 
> battery
> charger when you get to anchor!!!
>
> Dig around the Photo Gallery for more ideas....
>
> http://www.catalina320.com/gallery/album86
>
> http://www.catalina320.com/gallery/6-Volt-Batteries-and-Solar-Panel
>
> http://www.catalina320.com/gallery/album72
>
> http://www.catalina320.com/gallery/StartingBattShelf
>
> http://www.catalina320.com/gallery/album31
>
>
>
> Karl Mielenhausen
>
> 2000 C320 Hull#690 "Silver Lining"
>
> New Bern, NC
>
> http://pages.suddenlink.net/kmielen/
>
> From: John Frost [mailto: john at frostnet.net]
>
> To: c320-list at catalina320.com
>
> Date: Wed, 17 Oct 2007 08:58:39 -0500
>
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Xantrex charger - battery bank setup with
> startbattery
>
>
>
> I would like to add a starting battery to my new 320. Where have you
> folksfound to be a good place for a third battery and what size and
> switching didyou use?Best Regards,John Frost(256) 650-0335 -----Original
> Message-----From:
> c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com[mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com]
> On Behalf Of amshd2 at aol.comSent: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 9:55 AMTo:
> c320-list at catalina320.comSubject: Re: [C320-list] Xantrex charger - 
> battery
> bank setup withstartbatteryPhilI have the set up you described with a
> Xantrex Freedom 20 and 27 group startbattery and 2 4Ds. The 4Ds are wired
> together and charge together.? It worksgreat. I also have a
> keyed?isolator/Eng kill ?switch for the?start battery.?When at anchor or
> sailing I?turn it off.?This way I do not draw from thestart battery except
> for starting.??The switch?helps in case a guest does something to run
> the?batteries?downover night.?I run the refer 24/7 as long as the ?boat is
> in the?water.? I run the referon the hook
> but do turn it do to around 2 or 3 and take along some ice.?Will motoring 
> I
> turn it back up all the way. Tony  -----Original Message-----From:
> sholdr at aol.comTo: c320-list at catalina320.comSent: Tue, 16 Oct 2007 10:44
> amSubject: [C320-list] Xantrex charger - battery bank setup with start
> batteryAm changing to Xantrex charger and replacing my 2? 4D house 
> batteries
> andadding a start battery -- It seems since the Xantrex has 3 channels it
> would bebest to charge each battery separately but combine the house
> batteries (Position 2)?(automatically if possible) when in use keeping the
> start battery separate(Position 1) except in an emergency (Both).? We are 
> on
> a lake,overnight occasionally, no A/C, when at dock run the Refer on shore
> power.? Is it possible/necessary/preferable to separately charge the 2 
> house
> batteries oris this more trouble than it's worth?ThanksPhil HansenCamelot
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