We moved our batteries aft after years of water problems in the bilge box
for the batteries and failed switches. The switch is now on the bulkhead
over the sink. The batteries are now in the port lazzarette, one on the hull
and one up on the shelf. I use acid type batteries because they are lighter
than gel. I have two. One is connected to the bilge pump and is a back up
for starting. The Hamilton-Ferris alternator has a gizmo that sends the
charge equally to each battery. I don't have an onboard battery charger, too
much weight, being at the dock. We normally have to motor for twenty to
thirty minutes to the start line in our summer series and this helps charge
the batteries. I'm at a dock and can run shore power and the portable
charger if needed.
By the way I replaced the bilge pump with one that has an internal float. It cycles more but keeps the bilge drier. The remote float just didn't do it with the shallow bilge.
Rich Canning
Spellbound
Received on Fri May 9 05:31:27 2003