[C320-list] Battery plan

[Rick Sulewski]

Hi John, 
Curious about how you manage the house batteries charging while motoring.....do you switch to "both" after starting or do you move from #2 (starting batt) thru "Both" to #1 (2 4ds)? It is understood that one never switches thru "off" while the engine is running or risks blowing out the alternator while rapidly switching from 2 to "both" and then on to 1 has not caused me any issues over the years. 

Just as an aside, I have relied upon the portable 450 amp battery pack as a back-up emergency starting alternative if my dual 4ds could not start the engine rather than installing a starting battery. However, your specific arrangement is a most attractive option which avoids having to break out the emergency battery pack when the dual 4ds could well start the engine and the starter battery is the backup option.
Rick Sulewski
95' 320 #277

-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of sail-ability sail-ability
Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2017 9:03 PM
To: c320-list
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Battery plan

   Hey Ted; I did something very similar on my boat a couple of years ago.
   All I did was connect the two 4Ds in parallel like You're suggesting
   and left them connected to #1 on the main bty switch. I bought a 27
   starter bty and installed it fwd under the stbd settee. I connected it
   to the #2 cables on the main bty switch and also to the windlass
   cables. the only extra cabling I needed to get was to connect the two
   4Ds in parallel. Position #1 on the bty switch is for powering the
   house draws. Position #2 on the bty switch is for the starter and the
   windlass. This will save U a lot of work and extra cabling.

   Cheers

   John Morrison

   1999#574

     ---------- Original Message ----------
     From: Ted Harrison <tharrison at innovations-plus.com>
     Date: June 14, 2017 at 8:16 PM
     Can you tell me if I am missing anything in the below plan. This is
     phase one.
     - purchase 2 4D SRM Interstate batteries. They will remain in
     current location.
     - Build a shelf forward of the 4ds and place a group 27 battery in
     this location. Currently have a Group 27 purchased last year.
     - purchased two battery cables 6 feet length, connect 4d's together
     positive to positive. Negative to negative.
     - purchase 21 feet battery cable and run from starter (negative) to
     group 27 negative.
     - purchase 6 feet battery cable, negative to negative, and connect
     house batteries
     - purchase 20 feet positive and run from group 27 to position 1 on
     the battery switch.
     - positive on house bank to position 2 on battery switch
     - positive from engine on both position on battery switch.
     Charging: both house batteries run to a ProNauutic 12- 30 P charger.
     - Purchased a Xantrex digital echo charge to connect group 27 to
     house batteries to keep the starting battery topped up.
     - battery cable 1 / 0 battery cable
     Your evaluation / comments would be appreciated.
     Ted Harrison
     Hull 424
     Whitby, Ontario