MichaelB1969
Guru
- Joined
- Oct 15, 2016
- Messages
- 679
- Location
- USA
- Vessel Name
- Speedy Charlotte
- Vessel Make
- Beneteau Swift Trawler 44
As usual, we here at TF tend to throw a lot of ideas around that seem peripheral to your original question (where to get batteries to fit?).
There is nothing wrong with just finding some batteries that will fit into your easily used space (ie without much modification) and call it good. The other thing to at least think about is what you would want to eventually have as an electrical setup.
-I assume you have a separate start batteries that are fed by your alternators? You may want to consider having the alternators charge the house bank and have DC to DC chargers that charge the start batteries.
-Figure out how much you need in terms of Ah capacity for your use.
-Add some type of SOC meter (that way you won't go below 50% SOC on your batteries making them last longer). You can also set them to have the genset start automagically if a given SOC is reached.
-Add the recommended fuse for the battery wiring while you are at it.
Lots of stuff to consider but if you know what you want to do eventually, then you can move in that direction piece by piece, starting with the new house bank batteries.
Thanks for the guidance. Seems like the SOC meter is a wise investment up front if I go with AGM batteries.
I think I have 9 batteries total, all AGM except for the two house, as follows:
1 battery for starboard engine
1 battery for port engine
1 battery for generator
2 batteries for stern thruster
2 batteries for bow thruster
2 batteries for house
I am not 100% sure, but I think the alternators charge the house batteries now. I believe while underway (without generator on) I can flip the battery charger switch to "on" and it lights up red.
As for the fuse for the battery wiring, not sure what this is for, and I wonder if the boat might already have it as there are a bunch of fuses that I believe the batteries are wired to.
Goodness, I have a lot to learn...