Association Forum - Second Battery

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Second Battery

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

Member Avatar

USA
3704 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/23/2007 : 19:56:13

I am thinking of adding a second battery. I bought a new AGM from West Marine in June. If I got a duplicate battery would that work or am I already too late since one would be new and one a bit used?

We cannot direct the winds but we can adjust our sails.

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 07/23/2007 : 20:40:41

Randy as long as you mean June 07",

you'll be okay. I'm assuming you intend to hook them up parallel. If this is what your planning make sure you get the same size make and type. Mixing different size batteries in parallel can be dangerous.

Edited by - on

KD4AO
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
202 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2007 : 07:28:10

I recently installed a second battery in "ET". I followed the drawing shown in WM catalog [url="http://ecatalog.westmarine.com/full.asp?page=445]"]page 443[/url], using a dual bank charger and the Blue Sea M-series 6011 On-Off-Combine switch. My thinking is to keep the boat circuit and engine circuit isolated except as may be required by a battery problem.

Edited by - on

MartinJW
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
241 Posts

Response Posted - 05/29/2008 : 23:58:56

Hello Everyone,

I am going to add a second battery to our new C-250, and I'm wondering if anyone else has actually done this. If so, do you have any pointers or suggestions? I'd especially like to know where on the boat you added the 2nd battery.

Also, I'm planning on using the Blue Sea Systems "ADD A BATTERY" Dual Circuit System, p/n #7650 (Defender.com item #204617; WM item #8646275). I'm hoping that this will help me to not make dumb mistakes and kill both batteries.

Thanks!

Martin

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

Members Avatar

USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2008 : 02:42:23

Check out this site for adding 2nd battery:http://chipford.com/second_battery.htm. I have 2nd in mine but PO did that for me.
Steve A

Edited by - on

sterngucker
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
169 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2008 : 03:02:52

Here is how I wired up dual batteries on C Angel, 2 group 27 gel cells. This setup allows me to run any load from either battery. The battery combiner will allow a charge going to either battery to charge both batteries, or the battery that needs it, but still keeps them isolated.

I plan to rebuild the battery switch box soon, but this my first attempt. I intend to build a smaller box with the switches in-line.

I mounted the batteries under the settee on each side and secured them with heavy metal strapping that is tightened with a wing nut on each end. The battery box top is secured with a small cargo strap cut to length. I think they would stay put even if I were to turtle. This mounting allows easy access, just disconnect the cables, take off the wing nut, pull the strap back, and the box will slide out to the open settee lid. (After all the dry good baskets are removed!)

I keep the batteries charged up at the slip with this dual battery charger. I mounted it back above the aft berth because it was easy to see the monitor lights, the wiring path was simple, and for good air circulation. It is wired to the shore power distribution panel and to the battery connection side of each battery switch. I leave them to trickle charge while I am away. In the almost two years since I have made this mod it has served me well.

Edited by - on

MartinJW
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
241 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2008 : 10:05:18

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by piseas
 Check out this site for adding 2nd battery:http://chipford.com/second_battery.htm. I have 2nd in mine but PO did that for me.
Steve A
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Steve,

This link appears to be gone; do you have an updated address?

Thanks,
Martin

Edited by - on

MartinJW
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
241 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2008 : 10:06:13

Charlie,

THANKS! The pictures are great, and your installation really looks first class.

Thanks again,
Martin

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2008 : 11:14:50

Here is what I did to add a second battery.

[url="http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=16611&SearchTerms=electric"]battery[/url]

I have sinced returned the Link10 device and replaced it with a digital voltmeter. The Link10 seems better suited to a larger boat.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 05/30/2008 11:17:32

piseas
Former Treasurer

Members Avatar

USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2008 : 23:34:42

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">[Steve, This link appears to be gone; do you have an updated address?

Thanks,
Martin
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Martin try: http://chipford.com. Click on projects and its the 9th link down. Dont forget to click on pics to make them larger. It worked for me. Let me know.
Steve A

Edited by - piseas on 05/30/2008 23:37:03

pa-sailor
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
67 Posts

Response Posted - 05/31/2008 : 15:22:44

Newbe this year, with my (2004WK). Reading 2nd battery topics with interest. Can you explain why 2nd battery is necessary?
Thanks

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 05/31/2008 : 17:39:23

pa-sailor, we go on two week cruises and may be off the grid for several days at a time. Running lights, radio, GPS chartplotter, etc can run down a battery so having two doubles your capacity. May not be necessary for all.

Edited by - on

MartinJW
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
241 Posts

Response Posted - 05/31/2008 : 21:22:41

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by pa-sailor
 Newbe this year, with my (2004WK). Reading 2nd battery topics with interest. Can you explain why 2nd battery is necessary?
Thanks
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Welcome aboard, PA Sailor!

For us, it's a safety issue. My wife has a "bad" back and thus is unable to lower the outboard into the water or pull-start the engine; we have electric start and power (electric) tilt on our outboard for this reason. In an emergency, she might have to fire up the outboard and drive the boat, so we can't risk a dead battery that doesn't have enough power to start the engine.

We like to "camp out" on the boat for 2-3 days at a time, during which we use cabin and exterior lights, and this depletes the battery. We would like to have a battery arrangement that it typical of larger boats: one battery for everything onboard (the "house" battery) and a spare battery that is only dedicated to starting the engine. The house battery can be discharged a great deal over a several day period, but we'll always have the starting battery fully charged.

I hope this clears things up for you.

Martin

Edited by - on

pa-sailor
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
67 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2008 : 12:57:29

[quote]Originally posted by Nautiduck
 I am thinking of adding a second battery. I bought a new AGM from West Marine in June. If I got a duplicate battery would that work or am I already too late since one would be new and one a bit used?
Not sure why 2nd battery is needed. Do you run many accessories?

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.