Battery placement, CD 28 Power

[Tony Raymond]

On my CD28 Flybridge I currently have two batteries. They are located in the engine compartment Port side Forward, mounted on a plywood shelf. I assume this is the "from the factory" location. I want to relocate them, because I don't check the water very often during the season as it is a pain in the butt to get to them. I would also like to add a third battery, so that I have two House batteries and one starting battery.

The question is: where to re-locate them for better access. The options that provide better access are in cabin L-shaped settee on the port side or the storage areas on the stbd side. My concerns are moving that much weight (200lbs) approx 3 1/2 feet higher on the boat. They are located at the waterline now. Does anyone think this would affect stability or handling?

The second concern is length of cable from the battery to the starter. I thought of an option to put the starting battery in the engine compartment, thus minimizing the length of cable to the starter and the two house batteries in the cabin seats as voltage drop is not as critical for the other electrical needs. This is the scheme I'm currently favoring.

I would appreciate any thoughts or comments please.

Regards
Tony



tonyraymond@digital.com

[Bob Davee]

On my CD28 Flybridge the batteries were located below the L-shaped settee on a plywood shelf aft of the engine. the bottom of the settee was made up with pieces of plywood that are removed to get access to the batteries. Yoe still have to stand on your head a bit to check and fill the batteries but its not to bad. Last winter I also added a third battery an had special battery box made that just fit in the space and

held three batteries. I added an additional switch so that I can run with any combination of batteries ie 1 only, 2 only, 3 only, 1&2, 2&3, 1&3, or 1&2&3. This has been a great arrangement, and great piece of mind on longer trips. I am sure that you could do it. Check to see if the bottom of the settee is removable or can be mad to be. The space should be there. If I had it to do over again I wold raise the battery box
up a few inches to make access a little easier. One draw back-if you want to check the drive shaft coupling alignment the battery box may have to be removed temporarily. If you have the chrysler M360 you can get at the coupling but with my new Yanmar 230 HP the coupling must be access from behind the engine. since the transmission sort of sits over the output coupling. Any way if you want further information send me an Email.
Also, it would be my opinion that on the Flybridge you should keep the batteries as low as possible since this model was the least stable that Cape Dory made. This is quite obvious since the flybrige adds weight to the top of the boat. By the way that is why there is a 450 pound limit for weight on the bridge. Keep us posted.
Bob Davee - CD28 Flybridge Hull 124
On my CD28 Flybridge I currently have two batteries. They are located in the engine compartment Port side Forward, mounted on a plywood shelf. I assume this is the "from the factory" location. I want to relocate them, because I don't check the water very often during the season as it is a pain in the butt to get to them. I would also like to add a third battery, so that I have two House batteries and one starting battery.

The question is: where to re-locate them for better access. The options that provide better access are in cabin L-shaped settee on the port side or the storage areas on the stbd side. My concerns are moving that much weight (200lbs) approx 3 1/2 feet higher on the boat. They are located at the waterline now. Does anyone think this would affect stability or handling?

The second concern is length of cable from the battery to the starter. I thought of an option to put the starting battery in the engine compartment, thus minimizing the length of cable to the starter and the two house batteries in the cabin seats as voltage drop is not as critical for the other electrical needs. This is the scheme I'm currently favoring.

I would appreciate any thoughts or comments please.

Regards
Tony

builder@midcoast.com

[Tony Raymond]

On my CD28 Flybridge the batteries were located below the L-shaped settee on a plywood shelf aft of the engine. the bottom of the settee was made up with pieces of plywood that are removed to get access to the batteries.

Bob, I'd like to make sure I understand this. Does this mean you have a plywood box that hangs below the floor about a foot with access through the cabin settee. So the batteries ride above the shaft, aft of the engine, on the centerline of the boat and 12" below the floor. Is this correct? Is this the way it came from the factory? You have hull 125, mine is 100. I wonder if the factory changed or the origional buyer specified the location.

Thanks
Tony




tonyraymond@digital.com

[Tony Raymond]

On my CD28 Flybridge the batteries were located below the L-shaped settee on a plywood shelf aft of the engine. the bottom of the settee was made up with pieces of plywood that are removed to get access to the batteries.

Bob, I'd like to make sure I understand this. Does this mean you have a plywood box that hangs below the floor about a foot with access through the cabin settee. So the batteries ride above the shaft, aft of the engine, on the centerline of the boat and 12" below the floor. Is this correct? Is this the way it came from the factory? You have hull 125, mine is 100. I wonder if the factory changed or the origional buyer specified the location.

Thanks
Tony




tonyraymond@digital.com

[Bob Davee]

On my CD28 Flybridge the batteries were located below the L-shaped settee on a plywood shelf aft of the engine. the bottom of the settee was made up with pieces of plywood that are removed to get access to the batteries.

Bob, I'd like to make sure I understand this. Does this mean you have a plywood box that hangs below the floor about a foot with access through the cabin settee. So the batteries ride above the shaft, aft of the engine, on the centerline of the boat and 12" below the floor. Is this correct? Is this the way it came from the factory? You have hull 125, mine is 100. I wonder if the factory changed or the origional buyer specified the location.

Thanks
Tony

Sorry for delay in answere but have been out of town - Yes you are correct - from the factory ther were two batteries under the settee directly over the shaft. What I did was make new battery box large enough for three batteries and in effect put them in the same place. Your measurement - 12" below floor is just about correct. I am practically positive that this is the way it came from the factory, since the two previous owners did not make changes.
and I have most of the records. Niether of the two owners would have been that concerned with the situation as you and I seem to be. Anyway your interpretation is correct. Keep me posted.
Bob Davee



builder@midcoast.com