From 2 to 3 batteries

Jan_van_Miltenburg · 2013-02-18 22:06:41

My V34 Tessera currently has just one service battery apart from the starter battery. I plan to remove the starter battery and add another service battery there in order to be able to draw from 2 x 100 amp = 200 amp capacity, and relocate the starter battery under the quarter bunk. Has anybody done the same and been able to come up with a good solution, e.g. for securing the starter battery?

Last edited by Jan_van_Miltenburg (2013-02-18 22:08:20)

Jon_Spencer · 2013-02-21 20:36:41

Jan,

In our Frances 34 Pilot House we have 440 amp hours; two sets of two either side on the companionway steps.
This provides us with all the power we need from about two hours of engine running per day.
We keep one battery for cranking the engine and three for domestic, and importantly always have ice for the evening cocktails.

Jon.

Jan_van_Miltenburg · 2013-02-25 21:48:32

Dear John,

Thank you for reply. I guess that having 2 batteries each side of you companionway steps helps to keep your boat in balance. I don't think that I would be able to do the same, as I need to install a separate mains switch for my relocated starter battery, which wouldn't be easy as I have a cupboard to the right. 440 amps gives you plenty of capacity I presume.

Regards,
Jan

Ian_Johnston · 2013-02-28 01:15:44

When I get round to it, I plan to do the same for my Victoria 26. The existing two 65Ah batteries under the port settee will stay, but in parallel, and be joined by a smaller starter battery (salvaged from a Nissan Micra I scrapped) under the starboard quarter berth. I shall use a BEP VSR cluster (http://www.bepmarine.com/home-mainmenu- … tery-banks) which has a voltage sensitive relay to split the charge, two battery isolators and an emergency bridge for starting the engine from the house batteries. I haven't worked out where to put that: the logical place is where the 1-2-both switch is, but access to back of that mounting places is effectively impossible, as far as I can see. I don't want to have to remove the galley cupboard, plate racks, work surface and cool box ...

For the battery mount I shall glass a small platform into the locker and attach to that a standard plastic battery box with tie-down strap. Some people swear by Red Flash batteries which are very small, very high current ... and very expensive.

Pete_Lines · 2013-03-03 16:32:35

Jan,

On my Victoria 800 I combined the old domestic group of two 65amp batteries in to one 130amp group, fitted a BEP marine battery switch with VSR relay and emergency (yellow) cross over switch. This fitted nicely over the old 2 battery selector switch. No additional cutting required.

I glasses in a separate starter battery, a lot smaller than normal domestic batteries. Check your engine for CCA requirement but I put an Odyssey PC545 AGM Battery in mine.

Here it is fitted under the wooden cover just above the 240V socket. Dimensions (mm) L x W x H:178 x 86 x 131

Pete

Jan_van_Miltenburg · 2013-03-07 22:03:02

Dear Pete, they way you fitted variuos items certainly gives me food for thought. In my V34 only my 'fifth' bunk seems the right place to relocate my starter battery: dry and quite near to the engine. I think I'll start by glassing in a bespoke wooden floor, without which I won't be able to fasten the starter battery properly.

Jan_van_Miltenburg · 2013-03-30 22:52:54

I've decided to start the upgrade of my electrics by replacing the original Newmar charger, now semi defunct, with a Victron Centauer 12v/30a Charger and the current original amp meter with a Victron BMV 602S battery monitor. By mounting the charger in the cockpit locker I will free up some space near the galley work surface. With some minor adjustments the new monitor will hopefully fit into the lot of the current meter.

Jan_van_Miltenburg · 2013-04-21 21:11:45

Some extra space after having removed the previous original RM 12/15 charger, which all along appeared to have been disfunctional.

And finally in the cockpit locker we have the new Victron Centauer 12/30 charger

The next stage will be to replace the starter battery with an extra service battery and to move the starter battery under the quarter bunk.

Last edited by Jan_van_Miltenburg (2013-04-21 21:15:58)

Jan_van_Miltenburg · 2013-06-11 22:30:28

I've continued with my preparations, specifically with relocating my starter battery.
Here's the woodwork which I've made to hold it.

#1 2013-02-18 22:06:41

From 2 to 3 batteries

#2 2013-02-21 20:36:41

Re: From 2 to 3 batteries

#3 2013-02-25 21:48:32

Re: From 2 to 3 batteries

#4 2013-02-28 01:15:44

Re: From 2 to 3 batteries

#5 2013-03-03 16:32:35

Re: From 2 to 3 batteries

#6 2013-03-07 22:03:02

Re: From 2 to 3 batteries

#7 2013-03-30 22:52:54

Re: From 2 to 3 batteries

#8 2013-04-21 21:11:45

Re: From 2 to 3 batteries

#9 2013-06-11 22:30:28

Re: From 2 to 3 batteries

Board footer