Recently purchase an older CD36 and one of the upgrades on the list is more/bigger house battery.My fuel tank is in the port locker where I believe later model CD's have a water heater and the current batteries are located in the starboard locker. Assuming I use gel or AGM batteries which aren't as finicky about maintenance, is there any reason I shouldn't consider the space under the cockpit as a battery compartment? It's big, low down, more forward, close to the engine, can be reached for maintenance and not really used for anything else. I believe adequate ventialation couldbe arranged to help keep things cool. What am I not considering here? I have done a search in past articles, but would love to hear what other people have done or what problems I might face if I put the batteries under the cockpit.
Thanks to all....
Pat
patrick.t@home.com
CD 36 Battery space
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Al Levesque
Re: CD 36 Battery space
On our CD33, I need the space under the cockpit for access to the shaft coupling, the stuffing box, and the steering cables. I can't see any part of the space that I would give up since I get very contorted to fit into what little space I have now. I don't think you have much more space in the CD36.Patrick Turner wrote: ...is there any reason I shouldn't consider the space under the cockpit as a battery compartment?
Al
albertlevesque@cove.com
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Matt Cawthorne
Re: CD 36 Battery space
Pat,
Don't go filling that spot up. It is my home away from home. You need to get in there to service the seacocks, check/change the transmission oil, clean/bypass the wiring harness connections, adjust the stuffing box, align the engine. On rare occasions the transmission will need replacement and the hoses will need replacement. Many of those jobs will go from awkward to near impossible if there are batteries in the way.
I have the model with the batteries in the port cockpit locker and a water tank under the quater berth. I know of two other CD-36s that have a seat back added behind the nav station and one has a battery box added just behind that. This gives up the quarter berth as sleeping space, but still allows access to the engine compartment.
Have you considered using the space under the quarter berth? You could move the water tank elsewhere (say, to where the batteries are coming from). If you usually don't use that water tank then your weight distribution would be better. Even when you do use it you could use it first and most all of the time the weight distribution would be better. In addition your new batteries might weigh more than the water and so the weight distribution would be improved all of the time.
Just some thoughts.....
Matt
mcawthor@bellatlantic.net
Don't go filling that spot up. It is my home away from home. You need to get in there to service the seacocks, check/change the transmission oil, clean/bypass the wiring harness connections, adjust the stuffing box, align the engine. On rare occasions the transmission will need replacement and the hoses will need replacement. Many of those jobs will go from awkward to near impossible if there are batteries in the way.
I have the model with the batteries in the port cockpit locker and a water tank under the quater berth. I know of two other CD-36s that have a seat back added behind the nav station and one has a battery box added just behind that. This gives up the quarter berth as sleeping space, but still allows access to the engine compartment.
Have you considered using the space under the quarter berth? You could move the water tank elsewhere (say, to where the batteries are coming from). If you usually don't use that water tank then your weight distribution would be better. Even when you do use it you could use it first and most all of the time the weight distribution would be better. In addition your new batteries might weigh more than the water and so the weight distribution would be improved all of the time.
Just some thoughts.....
Matt
mcawthor@bellatlantic.net
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Steve Alarcon
Re: CD 36 Battery space
Hi Pat,
I too had thought of using that space for the batterys. My motivation was to be able to convert the STBD lazarette into a proper propane box. I decided against it because of the same reason the Matt wrote about. I'm sure that you will agree that one really nice improvement over our CD30's is the ability to easily access the engine from front and rear!
Do you have propane? Where is your tank?
Steve
CD36 Tenacity
Seattle
alarcon3@prodigy.net
I too had thought of using that space for the batterys. My motivation was to be able to convert the STBD lazarette into a proper propane box. I decided against it because of the same reason the Matt wrote about. I'm sure that you will agree that one really nice improvement over our CD30's is the ability to easily access the engine from front and rear!
Do you have propane? Where is your tank?
Steve
CD36 Tenacity
Seattle
alarcon3@prodigy.net
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Bob Pence
Re: CD 36 Battery space
As the former owner of Tenacity (Sixpence)I feel the setup in Tenacity is ideal. 4 batteries in the stbd. lazarette leaving extra storage space, access to the rear of the engine through the opening in the quarter berth, water heater and Adler Barbor refrigeration in the port lazarette with plenty of extra storage and access to enter the space behind the engine for a person the size of Steve Alarcon. The aluminum propane tanks on a rack on the stern pulpit is not ideal aesthetically but easy to get off and on to hike to the propane place in remote areas. I contemplated constructing a fiberglass inner lazarette inside the stern lazarette on the port side venting it to the outside as I had on my Pearson 365. Tenacity has 4 water tanks for long distance cruising, the holding tank under the sole by the nav station and the fuel tank under the sole just forward of the holding tank. Best layout I have seen in a CD36 1981Steve Alarcon wrote: Hi Pat,
I too had thought of using that space for the batterys. My motivation was to be able to convert the STBD lazarette into a proper propane box. I decided against it because of the same reason the Matt wrote about. I'm sure that you will agree that one really nice improvement over our CD30's is the ability to easily access the engine from front and rear!
Do you have propane? Where is your tank?
Steve Alarcon wrote: Steve
CD36 Tenacity
Seattle
sixpence@dmv.com
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Jerry Axler
Re: CD 36 Battery space
I have a 1986 CD36 and the propane locker is aft of the quarterberth with access from the cockpit. If you wall that area off, it will hold two ten pound cylinders with some room for a one gallon gas can for the dink. My two cents on the battery issue is not to use that space. Getting in there to do the ordinary maintenance on the steering quadrant,changing of transmission oil etc. is tough enough.Steve Alarcon wrote: Hi Pat,
I too had thought of using that space for the batterys. My motivation was to be able to convert the STBD lazarette into a proper propane box. I decided against it because of the same reason the Matt wrote about. I'm sure that you will agree that one really nice improvement over our CD30's is the ability to easily access the engine from front and rear!
Do you have propane? Where is your tank?
Steve
CD36 Tenacity
Seattle
cutter36@erols.com
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Larry DeMers
Re: CD 36 Battery space
You guys with the 36's make me envious..so much room! ;^) On my 30, we need to add another 220ah of battery capacity for refrigeration. I've decided to add the weight directly over the keel by cutting in a hatch over the bilge, then mounting a battery box on a plywood platform that spans the distance between the turns of the bilge, under the cabin sole. I am not certain as to how far forward I can carry the box, but I hope I can get enough room for two 6v Cart Batteries (Trojan's). The idea is to vent the battery case through a 1 in. diameter hose, that will lead to the engine air exhaust hose..
The hard part is cutting up the floor though. Measure 30 times, cut once.
Cheers!
Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30 ~~~FFFRIGIDDDD on Lake Superior!!~~~~
demers@sgi.com
The hard part is cutting up the floor though. Measure 30 times, cut once.
Cheers!
Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30 ~~~FFFRIGIDDDD on Lake Superior!!~~~~
Patrick Turner wrote: Recently purchase an older CD36 and one of the upgrades on the list is more/bigger house battery.My fuel tank is in the port locker where I believe later model CD's have a water heater and the current batteries are located in the starboard locker. Assuming I use gel or AGM batteries which aren't as finicky about maintenance, is there any reason I shouldn't consider the space under the cockpit as a battery compartment? It's big, low down, more forward, close to the engine, can be reached for maintenance and not really used for anything else. I believe adequate ventialation couldbe arranged to help keep things cool. What am I not considering here? I have done a search in past articles, but would love to hear what other people have done or what problems I might face if I put the batteries under the cockpit.
Thanks to all....
Pat
demers@sgi.com
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Russell
Interesting idea. One objection.
I have heard one argument AGAINST putting batteries in the bilge. It concerns emergency procedures in case of flooding: by the time you notice that your floorboards are afloat, you have lost electric power, since your flooded batteries are flooded. This means you can neither start your engine nor radio for help.
By the way, our CD 36 has two water tanks in the bilge. I have always thought that this was the right place for water tanks. It keeps the weight low, and centered. (The other two tanks are under the settees.)
By the way, our CD 36 has two water tanks in the bilge. I have always thought that this was the right place for water tanks. It keeps the weight low, and centered. (The other two tanks are under the settees.)
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Larry DeMers
Re: Interesting idea. One objection.
Yup..water tanks in the bilge area seem to make far more sense than under the settees allright. That is how the Seasprite 34 is built also.
In our case, the battery bank in the bilge area would be in a waterproof (at least up til the water got over the lid, where there may be some seepage) plastic or fiberglass box. Also, the bank in the bilge would be the house 2 bank, used for refrigeration only. The engine starting bank is located 3 ft. from the engine in the starboard lazarette, as is house 1 bank.
I would agree with your caveat about putting the engine bank down in the bilge area..not good.
Cheers!
Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30
demers@sgi.com
In our case, the battery bank in the bilge area would be in a waterproof (at least up til the water got over the lid, where there may be some seepage) plastic or fiberglass box. Also, the bank in the bilge would be the house 2 bank, used for refrigeration only. The engine starting bank is located 3 ft. from the engine in the starboard lazarette, as is house 1 bank.
I would agree with your caveat about putting the engine bank down in the bilge area..not good.
Cheers!
Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30
Russell wrote: I have heard one argument AGAINST putting batteries in the bilge. It concerns emergency procedures in case of flooding: by the time you notice that your floorboards are afloat, you have lost electric power, since your flooded batteries are flooded. This means you can neither start your engine nor radio for help.
By the way, our CD 36 has two water tanks in the bilge. I have always thought that this was the right place for water tanks. It keeps the weight low, and centered. (The other two tanks are under the settees.)
demers@sgi.com
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John R.
Under Cockpit
Pat,
Several years ago I constructed a battery box under the cockpit sole in our CD30 between the engine and the steering quadrant. The new battery box converts to a nice seat with the batteries removed and the forward face removed for when working on the front of the reversed Volvo w/V-drive.
I cut a hatch opening in the cockpit sole just ahead of the pedestal and built a custom teak hatch cover that resembles a teak deck. I have Prevailer gels in the battery box. There is great benefit to getting those batteries on the centerline and as low as possible in the vessel as you understand. The batteries have never suffered from any ill effects from the engine proximity. With the gel batteries or AGM's that you are considering venting is not an issue because they don't gas. Pressure relief valves are in the battery case tops but with the engine compartment vent near the top vent holes of the battery box there are no concerns.
This is a significant project to undertake. Not too bad if you can find a quality commercial hatch already made. Making the teak hatch added significantly to the project. The battery box is made of 1/2" marine ply, epoxy coated, polyurethane finished. All seams epoxy glued and faired, fastened with stainless fasteners, two legs glassed to the hull bottom and the box sides bolted through the cockpit support bulkheads. Box lid is in two halves and is screwed down and also strapped. Batteries are strapped down inside the box and aluminum channel retainers keep them in position. Steering quadrant and rudder stuffing box is accessed through a panel in the aft side of the box.
This was a tremendous improvement to our CD30. I would think it would be easier to accomplish on a 36 due to there being more space to work with. You won't regret the results but you may do some cursing while making the conversion. What you weren't considering in your post was the WORK. Have fun.
Several years ago I constructed a battery box under the cockpit sole in our CD30 between the engine and the steering quadrant. The new battery box converts to a nice seat with the batteries removed and the forward face removed for when working on the front of the reversed Volvo w/V-drive.
I cut a hatch opening in the cockpit sole just ahead of the pedestal and built a custom teak hatch cover that resembles a teak deck. I have Prevailer gels in the battery box. There is great benefit to getting those batteries on the centerline and as low as possible in the vessel as you understand. The batteries have never suffered from any ill effects from the engine proximity. With the gel batteries or AGM's that you are considering venting is not an issue because they don't gas. Pressure relief valves are in the battery case tops but with the engine compartment vent near the top vent holes of the battery box there are no concerns.
This is a significant project to undertake. Not too bad if you can find a quality commercial hatch already made. Making the teak hatch added significantly to the project. The battery box is made of 1/2" marine ply, epoxy coated, polyurethane finished. All seams epoxy glued and faired, fastened with stainless fasteners, two legs glassed to the hull bottom and the box sides bolted through the cockpit support bulkheads. Box lid is in two halves and is screwed down and also strapped. Batteries are strapped down inside the box and aluminum channel retainers keep them in position. Steering quadrant and rudder stuffing box is accessed through a panel in the aft side of the box.
This was a tremendous improvement to our CD30. I would think it would be easier to accomplish on a 36 due to there being more space to work with. You won't regret the results but you may do some cursing while making the conversion. What you weren't considering in your post was the WORK. Have fun.
Patrick Turner wrote: Recently purchase an older CD36 and one of the upgrades on the list is more/bigger house battery.My fuel tank is in the port locker where I believe later model CD's have a water heater and the current batteries are located in the starboard locker. Assuming I use gel or AGM batteries which aren't as finicky about maintenance, is there any reason I shouldn't consider the space under the cockpit as a battery compartment? It's big, low down, more forward, close to the engine, can be reached for maintenance and not really used for anything else. I believe adequate ventialation couldbe arranged to help keep things cool. What am I not considering here? I have done a search in past articles, but would love to hear what other people have done or what problems I might face if I put the batteries under the cockpit.
Thanks to all....
Pat