CD25 with golf cart (GC2) batteries?

[lrak]

The battery that came with my CD25 is long dead. I was thinking about using two golf cart batteries instead of a marine battery.

My original thought was to put them under the v-berth to get the weight forward of the keel, but I have decided to install a head and am now working out the dimensions on a stitch and glue holding tank and a whale waste pump in the area behind the water tank. There isn't enough height under the bunks in the main cabin. Raising the bottom step and putting them there would block access to the bilge hatch.

Is two 65lb batteries too much weight in the stock locations at the front of the cockpit? (I plan on two adults and two kids in the cockpit, and a 6HP 2-stroke Evinrude with usually one (sometimes two) 6 gallon duratank(s).)

Any other thoughts, tips, or suggestions?

[Ken Cave]

How are you going to charge these batteries, especially when out and about??

Your best bet is one good deep cycle battery that will take some deep discharges
if you plan on extended trips.

I have a 28 ft. CD with four 6 volt batteries as well as one deep cycle battery for
engine start-up. I installed that battery in 2002, and it is still doing fine!!

Hope this helps

Ken Cave
Dragon Tale
LaConner, WA

[lrak]

Right now the Evinrude has a 4 amp unregulated charger on it and we have a Yamaha EF2000IS and car charger if things start getting too far behind. I plan to add some small solar (two 20W panels?) long before I replace these batteries again.

I'd love the extra capacity if the weight isn't a problem. I am envisioning heavish electrical use for 2-4 days (radio, plotter, laptop, interior lights, anchor light, cabin fans, phone chargers, etc) and then parking it on a mooring with the solar panels out for 5-10 days. I figure a group 27 marine battery give me ~620WH (100AH, 50% discharge, 12.4v) capacity. I'd really need to watch my power usage. Two GC2 cart batteries give me ~1240WH (200AH, 50% discharge, 12.4v) capacity and probably a longer service life. 40w of solar 5 hours a day for 5-10 days would give me ~1000-2000WH recovery between trips.

[Dick Kobayashi]

I suggest you read Don Casey's book on marine electric matters. In my view, batteries are not the place to save a few bucks. I suggest a couple of deep cycle batteries, and then you'll have power when you need it - everytime, without any fuss.

I have not tried them but for light loads and portability something like this might be useful

http://www.batterystuff.com/batteries/u ... d5777.html

[Oswego John]

http://www.batterystuff.com/batteries/u ... d5777.html

I want to call your attention to the article on batteries that Dick sent us. While reading it, as you scroll down, you will notice three tutorials on the right side that you can click on.

The tutorials are excellent. They are brief and to the point. They are written in simple, everyday language and they are very comprenhesive. The tutorials cover the whole nine yards about batteries.

I am definitely going to file them away for future reference.

Think spring. (We had a little snow and sleet yesterday)

O J

[lrak]

The tutorials cover the whole nine yards about batteries.

Except there is no reference to weight and balance calculations on a narrow stern sailboat which is by far my biggest concern.

Reading the archives it seems like several people have two group 27 batteries in the front of the cockpit lockers. A group 27 is only about 15 lbs lighter than a golf cart battery, so I imagine it will probably be okay.

I remember reading about water flowing up through the CD25 drains with four people in the cockpit, BUT after re-reading for the last hour it seems that those situations included a fifth person sitting on the stern, the batteries mounted on either side of the outboard instead of the front of the cockpit, or a diesel inboard conversion...

[Oswego John]

Well, I guess that I should have said that the tutorials covered eight out of nine yards. But they do cover a wealth of knowledge on many aspects of battery power and maintenance.

What some people do when carrying a heavier than normal load in the hull is to temporarily close the cockpit drain seacocks to prevent backwash.

Good luck in your search,
O J