kpinnn
Senior Member
Time to relocate and wire batteries. I am presently rethinking the DC system in a 36 ft gulfstar. Presently the vessel has 2 D4 batteries, one for each engine, a couple 36 series deep cycle batteries as the house bank and a separate battery to start the 5 kw genset. The first issue is location of the batteries. When the 35 gal waste tank was added the vessel started to list. It is my opinion that the listing is due to excessive weight located on one side. Mounting of various components like batteries, waste tank, and hot water heater is located on a shelf at about waterline and gunnel area. This means the weight of a D4 battery is relatively high and on outer edge. Not sure why they use a separate D4 for each engine when one good starting battery should be enough to start the engines (64 hp Perkins). I am thinking of trying to locate the batteries on a platform I would build that would place the battery weight closer to keel center and lower in the hull. I would suspect this would reduce hull tendency to roll in beam sea as well as reduce listing especially if weight is balanced. Any thoughts, or suggestions as to battery and switch / charger set up. The vessel presently has 65 amp smart charges as well as associated manual switches and isolators.
Ken
Ken