[C320-list] Battery Hook up question

[Utility Email]

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
S/V Emily Ann
2007 C320 MK II, No. 1107
Mukilteo, WA

On Jun 18, 2011, at 11:39 AM, "John Frost" <john at frostnet.net> wrote:

> David,
> 
> I am curious about your battery setup as I am about to replace house bank.
> My boat is a 2007 also and I hoped for longer battery life, but my boat came
> new with a defective charger that cooked them dry before delivery.
> 
> How did you wire yours in series? I assume you replaced 12v with 6v
> batteries to do that? Why is that better than two 12v batteries in parallel?
> 
> 
> I too have a separate starting battery and didn't know one of my house
> batteries was bad until I tried test starting my engine with it as a backup
> precaution. Gurrurrrur thunk.
> 
> Thanks
> 
> Happy Sailing!
> 
> John
> 2007 C320MKII
> Hull 1118
> Guntersville, AL
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of David Swanson
> Sent: Saturday, June 18, 2011 11:25 AM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] BAttery Hook up question
> 
> Marine batteries have significant current and you do not want to cross wire
> or short any of the wiring as it would be very dangerous.  
> 
> As you note, some the systems seem rather complicated, especially when
> crawling around under seats and behind cabinets.  I rewired my two house
> batteries into series (one large bank) and added a dedicated starting
> battery last summer.  Considering the complexities of the work with
> fabricating cables, the consequences of getting it wrong, and your email
> description, there are two ways I would solve this problem considering your
> email:  
> 
> 1.  Draw a diagram and be very logical and systematic in how you are
> connecting your batteries.  Do you want them in parallel or series (i.e. two
> smaller single battery banks, or one large battery bank?).  Be very
> purposeful and careful.
> 
> or
> 
> 2.  Hire a professional to safely fix it properly for you.
> 
> I have learned on my Catalina as well as other boats that taking some photos
> of work before and after installation has been very helpful at times.
> Especially with camera phones, it is simple and easy to do.  Just this
> winter I used my iphone a lot to take photos (and even video) behind
> cabinets and under floor boards as I was installing hot air ducting for
> during my installation of a Wallas diesel heater as well as plumbing for a
> anchor locker wash-down system.  I uploaded the photos and videos to my ipad
> and then I could "see" what was behind these spaces.  Useful while working
> on the boat and useful while planning boat work at home.  Amazing tool right
> in my pocket.
> 
> Anyway, good luck with getting your batteries reconnected.  
> 
> Dave
> 
> David Swanson
> S/V Emily Ann
> 2007 C320 MK II, No. 1107
> Mukilteo, WA 
> 
> 
> 
> On Jun 16, 2011, at 9:58 AM, Crosby Roper wrote:
> 
>> 
>> This is pretty basic ( and a bit embarassing). I am replacing the
> batteries on my boat and have connected them, but the battery # 2 is not
> providing any power. I blithely disconnected the old batteries without
> paying close attention to the set up on the second battery because
> everything was tightly bundled together and I thought you'd have to be a
> moron to get it wrong....
>> 
>> My question is this. On the forward battery the are two red cables  that
> are bundled with a 3rd black cable that is longer. I have connected the two
> red cables to the positive post and the black cable to the negatrive post
> (along with two other black cables.) No power from the 2nd battery this way.
> Is the black cable bundled with the two reds, actually meant to connect to
> the positive post on the forward battery ( like the negative to positive in
> series configuration in a flash light??? Am I risking dong serious dam,age
> here and should I just call someone to sort it out rather that trying
> switching things around?
>> 
>> Any advice would ber helpful.
>> 
>> Crosby Roper
>> Tethys
>> Hull 1054
>> 
>> 
>>                         
> 
> David Swanson
> kswanson123 at comcast.net
> 
> 
> 
> 
>