[C320-list] Battery Hook Up - House Bank

[Alan Goodman]

There is one important consideration regarding using the house bank for starting, as Dave does.  If your house battery bank consists of two PURE DEEP CYCLE 4Ds (as is my case), they can be damaged in several ways by using them to crank over the engine.  If you have two HYBRID 4Ds, then using the bank for starting is OK, but you sacrifice some 
amp hour capacity with the hybrid batteries.  Primary difference is the plate construction, starting plates are fewer and thicker (suited to high current short time) and deep cycle plates are more numerous but thinner (suited to low current for prolonged time).  Just my thoughts to consider.  Alan Hull 67 Holland MI
 
> Message: 1
> Date: Sat, 18 Jun 2011 12:51:24 -0700
> From: Utility Email <kswanson123 at comcast.net>
> To: "C320-List at Catalina320.com" <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Battery Hook up question
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> 
> John,
> 
> What I did was to add a new G24 maintenance free dedicated starting battery forward of the 2 large stock batteries under the starboard salon seat.  I connected the starting battery to battery switch position 2 and wired my existing 2 large house batteries in parallel to battery switch position 1. 
> 
> I installed a xantrex echo charger between the house bank to keep the new starting battery topped off. I also installed a battery minded desulphator device on the new combined house bank. I also installed a new xantrex link pro battery monitor.  
> 
> There are a number of ways to configure a house and starting battery bank.  I researched this quite a bit and I like Stu jackson's basic approach and philosophy on the C34 forums, so I just followed basic instructions on this approach from the C34 Owners website Wiki.  The basic approach is to use the house bank for everything and only use the starting battery as a back up to start the engine if the house bank discharges to much. With boat battery banks, I believe that less complexity is more reliability. That what the C34 owners site is touting. 
> 
> My house bank seems like it is getting tired as it seems like fully charged the voltage is a bit low, so hence the desulphator. I am going see how the set up does this summer when anchored out, etc.
> 
> I did not go with wiring 6v golf cart batteries in parallel, as making up cables to do this and getting the right sized batteries to fit seemed like a pain.  So when I replace my mains, I am just going to replace them in like sized 4D's.  I do understand that 6V golf cart batteries are lower cost, have deep cycle capability, and you can almost abuse them without damage. My father in law had them in his motor yacht. Overall, it seemed like installing 4 golf cart batteries in the space of the 2 4D's seemed like too much work for the slight increase in amp-hours. 
> 
> I can send you photos of my set up if you like. Let me know.  
> 
> Good luck with your battery replacement - hurry up because summer is here!
> 
> Dave
> 
> Dave Swanson