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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

4 Batteries?

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Peregrine
Admiral

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830 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/30/2011 : 16:26:12

I am considering adding to my battery array.
Does anyone have more than 2 batteries?
If so how, why and where.
Any and all info would be appreciated including how you recharge them.
Thanks

John Gisondi
Peregrine #4762

*

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 08/30/2011 : 19:45:58

Can't imagine needing two additonal batteries. Wouldn't it be cheaper to add a solar charger to keep two batteries charged. I've been using one for several years and have had no problems keeping two fully charged batteries thoughout the sailing season.

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redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 08/30/2011 : 22:15:56

I had 5 batteries on my c25... Worked well. Put them under thee aft berth in locked down boxes with a one- two-all switch. But I was always a cruiser.

Sten

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5352 Posts

Response Posted - 09/03/2011 : 06:32:33

John,
If you had four batteries, how would you choose to set them up?

Some folks double group 24s to provide 150 AH at 12V, so you could set them up as two pair: an A bank and a B bank.

Others might set up two batteries in series to provide 24 volts to your boat's electrical system, and parallel those. But if all your electronics run on 12V, you're setting yourself up to change out everything. Not recommended.

Going back to the first example, setting up two sets of 12 volt parallels is pretty straightforward - you'd essentially have one pair as bank A, the second pair as bank B. So you could use a 1 - 2 - Both - Off switch.

It is always advised that both batteries in a pair be of the same type, brand and age. If not, the weaker one(s) will wear down the stronger one(s).

Goes without saying that you should fuse each battery right at the (+) terminal with a 40A or 60A fuse, but I said it anyway.

If you set it up, I'd recommend you write it up, take a few photos and submit it for publication.

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 09/03/2011 : 07:15:53

John,

You can find some real expert sailboat battery discussion on Sailnet.com

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5352 Posts

Response Posted - 09/04/2011 : 08:45:51

And John, please be kind enough to share what you learn from the experts on Sailnet.com so we can all benefit from the knowledge.

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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.