[C320-list] Golf Cart Batteries in Boats

Thu Oct 25 19:40:53 PDT 2007

The problem is that you would need really large davits to hoist the golf
carts on and off the stern of the boat.  That alone precludes their use.

Adam

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Robert E. Sloat
Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2007 7:38 AM
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.o
rg]
> 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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