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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Electric Upgrade

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/25/2007 : 22:10:15

I’ve just completed an electric upgrade on the Nauti Duck. Our cruise experience indicated that we needed some additional 12V power, an ability to measure the 12V capacity, and a 110V receptacle. So here is the project.

I chose to go with 2 Group 24 SeaVolt AGM batteries in parallel. I used a Sawzall to remove the old battery box and then mounted the two new batteries on plywood. I decided to keep the batteries in the back because the existing wiring was there and because the aft storage area didn’t seem likely to fulfill any other use.

I mounted the electric components on the aft bulkhead. There is an AC main, 3-position AC breaker panel, Charles 12V charger, and Xantrex Link 10 battery monitor. The Link 10 is a sweet little device and gives a quick view battery status plus many other features. I chose the aft bulkhead since I wont need to access this stuff very often:

Mounting on the aft bulkhead does raise an issue, what to do if I need to remove the bulkhead at some ttime. To simplify things there are only two connection types. Wires to the battery have ring connections and the AC connections use marine-grade plugs. So, if the bulkhead must come off it wont be a matter of disconnecting lots of stuff:

Here is the outlet that I added at the fore end of the aft berth, very near the galley:

The electric cable to the outlet travels alongside the bilge pump hose but is enclosed in plastic conduit:

Here is what 275 lbs of bagged crushed rock looks like in the bow. Still a lot of room in there for storage:

But access to the bow storage area is awful since Catalina decided to split the cover port-starboard instead of fore-aft. What were they thinking?? Next project is a new hinged cover that opens the right way.

That’s it. The electric upgrade benefited by researching the archives and the work that others have done. Thanks all!

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

Edited by - on

johnsonp
Admiral

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USA
606 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2007 : 23:51:12

Hope the US Boarder Patrol doesn't check your bow.

paulj

Edited by - on

KBeazley
Deckhand

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USA
21 Posts

Response Posted - 11/26/2007 : 13:46:55

Randy

How did you route the wire and conduit through the bathroom forward?

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 11/26/2007 : 17:38:24

KB, just before hitting the wet locker I drilled a hole for the wire to drop down into the storage area underneath the aft berth. That storage area (where my gluxgate compass resides) is the same area that I installed the outlet. Under there I use flex conduit.

The bilge pump hose goes into the wet locker and beyond because it has to go further foreward in the boat to the bilge.

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 11/26/2007 : 18:40:20

Nice setup Randy. Its a timely post for me as I have been slowly collecting the items needed to add shore power myself. I'm in no hurry and have been buying the pieces I need off e-bay a little at a time. If I can't get it dirt cheap I wait and bid on another. I got a new 30amp inlet night before last for $30. I'm hunting for the main circuit breaker and switch panel now.

I seen the one outlet at the aft berth, did you install any forward? Can you explain the grey tube more, does it run to another outlet?

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 11/26/2007 : 20:33:33

Tom, just the one outlet for now. Our AC needs are limited, basically the battery charger and the need for an occasional heater or cell-phone charger, etc. We don't have a TV or AC or a blender, etc. If I added another outlet it would be near the table.

The conduit just runs from the aft bulkhead to just before the wet locker where the wires go down into the area where the outlet is. I wanted the wire in a conduit so I can toss stuff in that area (such as the poptop frame and not worry about damaging the wire.

Edited by - on

frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 11/27/2007 : 11:30:05

If you have wheel steering and a marine head you might consider this approach since it allows maintenance to be preformed on both without disturbing the electrical.

http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=12134& SearchTerms=finally,some,progress

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 11/27/2007 : 12:16:13

Frog, you were the inspiration for my project! I can't cut a straight line so I went with the "quick disconnect" approach.

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 11/27/2007 : 12:34:48

I assume that the bulkhead provides structural support to the hull, particlulary when resting in a sling on the travelift. I think that's about where the "sling" mark is on the outside of the hull. Does cutting the bulkhead cause a problem with that?

Edited by - on

Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 11/27/2007 : 14:32:41

What's up with Shutterfly these days? Does anyone else notice our pictures are offline sometimes? Can't see Randy's pictures but I can see his sig.

Edited by - on

Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 11/27/2007 : 19:28:08

I can see the pictures now.

John, are you talking about picture #2 or #4? #2 doesn't seem like a concern since it doesn't look like it's supporting anything, but #4 is. Hopefully the outlet hole is smooth where no cracks can lead from it. Looks like the hole needed for this outlet represent 1/3 of the height. I'm not an engineer, but I would be concerned.

Randy if you become concerned about this new hole compromising the structure integrity, then be aware that you can always fiberglass it back and finish it off with gelcoat. I have been doing a few fiberglass and gelcoat repairs on various projects and once I'm done, you cannot distinguish the repair. So don't loose sleep over this if you believe you made a mistake.

Edited by - Steve Blackburn on 11/27/2007 19:29:01

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 11/27/2007 : 21:56:51

Hmmm. I don't think it will do any harm there but I sent the photo to Catalina for their input. If I need to remove and repair then I finally get an opportunity to work with fiberglass!

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 11/27/2007 : 22:40:06

Randy, How many of those bags of rock did it take to make 275lbs? Were they premade?
Steve

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 11/27/2007 : 22:54:58

5 bags @ 55lbs each. I got them at Home Dept. Crushed rock. I then wrapped them in packaging plastic which they also sell at HD in their storage dept. The plastic is on a roll and comes with a handle. The plastic is about 12" across. Frank Farmer gave me the idea. The plastic wrap makes the bags sticky and they stay in place even through wave action.

Edited by - on

frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 11/27/2007 : 23:06:03

I doubt that the aft bulkhead provides any structure reinforcement at all since it is only a piece of 3/8 plywood and is not glassed or secured very good to the hull. The rectangular cut out for the battery also leads to the this conclusion since for structure you would make the hole round to spread the load over the entire bulkhead. My boat is hauled annually for bottom work and I have not found any cracks in the hull or interior battery compartment.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 11/28/2007 : 14:44:15

Wow! Talk about responsive. I sent an e-mail to Catalina Yachts yesterday asking about the outlet placement. Today I get a response from one of their engineers! Here it is:

Randy,
> Did you add a main 30A AC breaker close to the dockside connector on the boat? Is the first outlet in the line of outlets a GFI unit? I do not see a structural issue at the location shown in the photo but would be more concerned about water coming in contact with the outlet either from dripping down from the companionway or other sources. The times we have installed shore power on the C 250 we have installed one outlet on the forward side of the galley unit and one above and outboard of the galley unit.
>
> Good Sailing,
>
> Kent Nelson
> Engineering Department
> Catalina Yachts
> 21200 Victory Blvd.
> Woodland Hills, CA 91367
> (818) 884-7700 ext. 236
> (818) 884-3810 Fax
> kent@catalinayachts.com
> www.catalinayachts.com

I responsed that yes I have the AC Main, a breaker panel and the outlet is GFI and the only outlet on the circuit. So, the good news is no structural issues and I am leaving the outlet where it is.

Anyway, I was impressed with the speed and care of the reply. Hat's off to Catalina!

Edited by - on

Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 11/28/2007 : 15:10:34

Cool. So could it be possible to get electrocuted or not due to the cuircuit breaker on the outlet? (looks like the typical bathroom outlet).

Edited by - on

Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 11/29/2007 : 06:05:38

Great project! One note though, I opted to put my 2 group 27 batteries in the bow compartment. Two batteries up front and removing 1 from the back is the perfect amount of weight shift to level my 250. No rocks and more importantly, no extra weight to get moving (for those racing guys). Running two number 8 (I believe) wires up front is easy as they travel behind the cooking cabinet into the starboard seat storage area and to the bow.

Here is a link:
http://www.elmhurstprop.com/webbat/Photos.html

Edited by - Turk on 11/29/2007 06:07:49

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 11/29/2007 : 12:38:32

Turk, good to hear from you! I was wondering where you went. Your battery solution is a good one. I don't race so having a bunch of extra weight is something that I feel actually makes the boat handle better.

Steve, the outlet is GFI. It wold be tough to get electrocuted with it. They are made for wet environments.

Edited by - on

Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 11/30/2007 : 06:27:54

I'm still around, just haven't been as active here. My wife and I just ordered a new Jeep 4D Wrangler and I've started preparing for the "offroad" side of my life. New wheels, tires, lift kit, etc.

And I thought a boat was the only thing you could throw lots of money at!

Edited by - on

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