[C320-list] Golf Cart Batteries in Boats

Wed Oct 24 18:10:00 PDT 2007

IF you have a good, high output starting battery your choices for house
batteries widens significantly. Golf cart batteries have their short comings
too, but  you can choose from proper 4D deep cycle batteries, or gel cell
deep cycles batteries etc.

You really only need a combination battery if you have no starting battery.
Most production sailboat makers don't offer a starting battery so they go
with a combination battery.

Kirk
#124

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Robert E. Sloat
Sent: 24 October 2007 07:38
To: C320-List
Subject: [C320-list] Golf Cart Batteries in Boats

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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