Battery location

[william beveridge]

I am looking to increase battery capacity and likely switch to lifepo.  Catalina puts the two 4Ds on port side in a nice location.  Recently Andy Follet posted his C355 for sale and noted 600 watts [amp hours?] of lithium on board.  It appears I can fit 3 type 24 sized 100 Ah batteries in there, and a tight squeeze to put 3 type 27 sized batteries in the same spot. 

Where else are you putting the house bank? 

Bill

2019 C355

Hull 146

Perfectly Imperfect

[Mike Maksimchuk]

Look up the post from Dave Worfel (my father-in-law) about installing another battery on the starboard side by the water pump and heater. That’s a backup/start/reserve. But another spot to tuck one away. 

Mike Maksimchuk

Amadeus, #94

On Jul 28, 2024, at 11:03, william beveridge <wbj...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[bill pittore]

Hi Bill,

 I have three Victron 200Ah Lifepo batteries in the existing battery box with room left over for bus bars etc. This gives me about 7200Wh of energy. I also have an AGM starter battery behind the water heater by the water pump. I’ve been using this setup for 5 seasons now. I also utilize the space behind the battery box for electrical as well. We’re up in Portland Maine and using my 600W of solar I haven’t had to plug into shore power this season. If I used A/C all the time I would have to. If you want more info on my setup, let me know.

Bill

[william beveridge]

Thank you for your replies. Prior to purchasing #146 I read the prior posts & the schematics, which are great for the set up, just not helpful in the physical placement. 

I typically sail 9-10 months, so am looking to go with self heated & BMS batteries. 

If I come up with more locations I will post. 

On to the pronautic charger problems first. Now both charging banks have died, solar panels arrive Friday-ish.

Bill

Hull 146

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/catalina355/080A93B7-A189-413E-BCFE-93DA7033212C%40gmail.com.

[william beveridge]

Bill - can you share a photo of where your start battery is?  I tried with a battery box for a Type 27 battery between the hot water heater and the fresh water pump and the battery box doesn't fit unless it is raised pretty high, which then impedes access to the hoses and the pump/inline filter.  

My alternate location is where the factory has been putting them now, up in the port side lazarette next to the black water tank and against the forward bulkhead.  Can't wrap my head around the wire routing there, however. Also puts more weight to port, which I would love to avoid.   

I did order and received two Victron 300 Ahr LifePo4 NG batteries w/Victron's required BMS.  I have not begun the install as I want to put a dedicated start battery in first.  

Thank you,

Bill 

Perfectly Imperfect

Middle River, MD

[ajsp...@gmail.com]

Hi,  600 Watts of Solar?  How is it mounted and where are solar panels?  Any Pics?

 

[Mike Maksimchuk]

Bill;

Dave Worfel (my father-in-law) and I put this battery in. Check out his post about it. It is where you suggested, but I don’t find that it impedes our access to pumps or hoses. 

Check on the forum - Dave did a great post about it. 

On Mar 26, 2025, at 19:07, william beveridge <wbj...@gmail.com> wrote:

Bill - can you share a photo of where your start battery is?  I tried with a battery box for a Type 27 battery between the hot water heater and the fresh water pump and the battery box doesn't fit unless it is raised pretty high, which then impedes access to the hoses and the pump/inline filter.  

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/catalina355/cb933231-42e6-4a92-8f9d-f290ffb34e7cn%40googlegroups.com.

[bill pittore]

I couldn’t dig up a photo but did find this post from Jon Vez a few years ago with a picture. I’m pretty sure I used this as a guide when I put mine in as it’s in the exact same spot.

Bill

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/catalina355/cb933231-42e6-4a92-8f9d-f290ffb34e7cn%40googlegroups.com.

[bill pittore]

Here’s the link:

https://groups.google.com/g/catalina355/c/djHEklPRi2Q/m/XbjeO6HEAQAJ

Bill

[bill pittore]

I installed an aluminum arch that carries the two panels. I think they are 340W each. Each is wired into its own MPPT controller.

Bill

On Mar 26, 2025, at 7:11 PM, <ajsp...@gmail.com> <ajsp...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi,  600 Watts of Solar?  How is it mounted and where are solar panels?  Any Pics?

 

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[bill pittore]

Twice in one night I forget to include the attachment.😬 

[Jon Vez]

Hi Bill,

I still lurk here and I’ll see if I can dig up the photos…

Jon Vez

Sent from my iPad

On Mar 26, 2025, at 7:44 PM, bill pittore <bill.p...@gmail.com> wrote:

Here’s the link:

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/catalina355/0F487A6C-ED6B-4A3D-82CF-54CB2368AB4B%40gmail.com.

[william beveridge]

Thank you for the quick responses.  I found the photos posted around 2020 which are very helpful.  Still, my hull #146 does not have room to fit the starter battery next to the hot water heater, inside of the fresh water pump/below the starboard mid ship fresh water tank, in a battery box.   I see a photo with one there installed in a bracket (Dave Warful's?).  If I use an AGM battery, i could likely get away without a black battery box and it might fit with minimal modification.  Aiming to get the battery and bracket in the spring sales this week.  

(For some reason I have difficulty getting to the groups website, so have to save emails and click the "view this discussion" link at the bottom.  I apologize for this as I have become used to the C34.org web site over the years.)

Bill 

Perfectly Imperfect, #146

Middle River, MD

[william beveridge]

It looks like I found Jon Vez's photos showing a battery bracket, not Dave Warful's.  Thank you, Jon. 

Bill

On Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at 8:03:25 PM UTC-4 jonvez1800 wrote:

[william beveridge]

Good day gang.   I purchased the Victron parts to convert to LiFeP04 then chickened out on the install given the relative "newness" of the boat.  I have a certified marine electrician doing the install (ABYC, NMEA) to certifications and above that adding additional safety controls.  I will post on that once done.  In doing it this way the cost went way up, and the convenience surprisingly went down in a way as the scheduled install during a family vacation did not finish, so the boat is sitting at the marina missing a great sailing weekend. 

I have been looking at prior posts for the position of the gland for the solar wires to the port lazarette.  I have 2x 175w Renogy panels on the bimini.  The newer 355 models have a stern pulpit going to about mid ship where the gate is.  I attached a phone.  I am considering the wire running aft of the stanchion, fore of the backstay.  Any concerns I will be weakening the panel the back stay is affixed to?  installing it below the backstay and above the vent just seems wrong.  I am sure I am over thinking this as usual.   

Has anyone with the full pulpit placed a gland on the port side???? have a picture?  

Bill Beveridge

Perfectly Imperfect, 146

Middle River, MD

[bill pittore]

Hi Bill,

I have two panels on an arch and installed the gland as shown in the pic.

Bill

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<PXL_20241208_200441627.MP-EDIT.jpg>

[william beveridge]

Thank you, Bill.  That location would put the wire drop between stanchions on my boat, about 1' from the aft one and 4-5' from the next one.  I did see you photo posted a few years ago and eyed it on the boat, which is part of the reason why I posted this. 

Thank you again,

  

Bill Beveridge

Perfectly Imperfect, 146

Middle River, MD

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/catalina355/8087C472-0519-4B0B-8E1F-329A00AFE584%40gmail.com.