relocating batteries to mid state room

[wayne0]

At one time I saw a thread about this. Can't seem to find it now.
I'd love to see that set up and the wiring involved.

 

[dpmulvey]

Make sure the batteries are non gassing.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Dont know of any batteries that are completely sealed.What wrong with the engine compartment?

 

[JJ Chones]

Make sure those batteries are properly ventilated. As dpmulvey said.

 

[wayne0]

Make sure the batteries are non gassing.

It was done with AGM batteries. "What wrong with the engine compartment?" Easier to install and shifts weight forward for a better ride.

 

[Bt Doctur]

sandbags are safer
Even though your batteries are normally sealed, they actually do have a venting system integrated into the case top. In the event of an overcharge condition, it is possible for excess pressure to build up inside your battery. Your new batteries are equipped with check valves that are engineered to open at between 2-3 PSI depending upon the specific brand. What will be expelled is hydrogen gas, and you want to vent that as it is quite explosive.

The good news here is that hydrogen mixes with air very readily and so not too much ventilation is required. On an installation similar to yours I installed a small pre-made chromed louver, available at most chandleries, in the end of the settee. Just locate the louver as high on the side of the cabinet as you can reasonably get it. That will vent the compartment to the main cabin area, and from there it will get vented to the outside of the boat. Easy fix.

 

[juggernaut1]

Pretty sure Masterfab did this to his ex 340 - check out his blog

 

[wayne0]

Pretty sure Masterfab did this to his ex 340 - check out his blog

Nothing on his blog that I could see.

 

[rcknecht]

Nothing on his blog that I could see.

Dale aka Masterfab did relocate his batteries to the mid berth...

 

[MasterFab]

Yes, I did. But, this is not something that can be done without understanding the issues involved. Some of the big points:

1 - You have to have a modern "intelligent" charger that can be programmed for AGM batteries, and that drops down to a float voltage when the batteries are fully charged.

2 - The batteries have to be sealed AGMs - no wet cells.

3 - Utilize a charger with a battery temperature monitor. If something starts to go wrong, the charger will discontinue output.

The wiring has to be sized appropriately, and can be routed through the ER bulkhead on either side of the water tank. A pair of group 27 batteries fit quite nicely in the mid stateroom lockers, but custom battery trays and retention has to be designed and built. I'll try to shoot a couple pics when I am down to the boat this weekend.

Dale

 

[HUMPH]

Yes, I did. But, this is not something that can be done without understanding the issues involved. Some of the big points:

1 - You have to have a modern "intelligent" charger that can be programmed for AGM batteries, and that drops down to a float voltage when the batteries are fully charged.

2 - The batteries have to be sealed AGMs - no wet cells.

3 - Utilize a charger with a battery temperature monitor. If something starts to go wrong, the charger will discontinue output.

The wiring has to be sized appropriately, and can be routed through the ER bulkhead on either side of the water tank. A pair of group 27 batteries fit quite nicely in the mid stateroom lockers, but custom battery trays and retention has to be designed and built. I'll try to shoot a couple pics when I am down to the boat this weekend.

Dale

How much longer before the boat is picked up and relocated Dale? Good luck on the 460 search!

 

[wayne0]

Yes, I did. But, this is not something that can be done without understanding the issues involved. Some of the big points:

1 - You have to have a modern "intelligent" charger that can be programmed for AGM batteries, and that drops down to a float voltage when the batteries are fully charged.

2 - The batteries have to be sealed AGMs - no wet cells.

3 - Utilize a charger with a battery temperature monitor. If something starts to go wrong, the charger will discontinue output.

The wiring has to be sized appropriately, and can be routed through the ER bulkhead on either side of the water tank. A pair of group 27 batteries fit quite nicely in the mid stateroom lockers, but custom battery trays and retention has to be designed and built. I'll try to shoot a couple pics when I am down to the boat this weekend.

Dale

Thanks for the info, Dale. I have the correct type of charger for the project. AGM programmable and a temp sensor as well.

 

[MasterFab]

I took a few pics yesterday...

It can't be seen in the pics, but there is a plastic insulating strip bonded to the aluminum bar, so if the batteries ever shift (which is impossible, but I tend to over-design), they can't short out. At the base of each battery, spacers are installed to prevent any movement. The batteries rest on an epoxy encapsulated base made from 3/4" plywood, fiberglassed in place with epoxy resin and several layers of heavy cloth.

 

[wayne0]

Dale, are those on the port or starboard side? Did you have to make up your own custom cables? With the 2 port batteries and 1 starboard battery, I would think the port batteries would go on the port side and the starboard on that side along with the genny battery.
Correct to assume?

 

[MasterFab]

The pics are from the port side. I had 5 batteries on the boat - 2 port, 2 starboard, and 1 dedicated generator battery. I made up all custom cables for them. The generator battery is in the ER, next to the generator.

Dale