Optima Battery Upgrade

[CClassic28]

The beginning of last season I pulled the 3 group 24 batteries out from their home and replaced them with 3 Optima Blue Tops. I managed to fit 2-1000M group 24 starting batteries and 1 D31M deep cycle group 31 in the centerline battery hatch without any modifications. One other thing I had to do was remove the 3 bank Charles lead acid charger and replace it with a Xantrex "selectable" battery charger.


Let me tell you, those 1000's CRANK, and no more worries about house items running off a group 24!!


Chris

[biteme]

battery upgrade

hey cris we have to talk about this..my yanmars start the second i hit the switch but i have power issues on aux.batt..do you have a genny ? i thought the third batt started the gen..can the deep cycle still do that..my gen always starts hard compared to the mains..i am shooting to be at my boat sat 3/12..that is if this %$#@*&#$ weather gives us a break !!!

[CClassic28]

Charlie,

Yes I do have a genny and starting from the deep cycle is no problem. My Cummins fire immediately, but the Optima's are real crisp!! The entire reason I made the change was to achieve a larger 31 for the house.

Let me know your plans and I'll meet you out there.


Chris

[backman]

am I alone w. 4 group 24's?

I have 4 group 24's down there; 1 for each engine and 2 for the house side.

Never had an issue w/ the engines starting - after 5 years of use I discarded all 4 batteries when the house ones stopped holding charge and replaced them with 4 more group 24's - 2 heavy cranking batteries - either 740 or 1000 CCA's and 2 deep cycle 24's for the house side.

The 2 24's will run nav lights; radio; fishfinder; radar on stand by and a couple hours of spreader lights without a problem on an overnight.

2 years back when they started to go - the electronics would reboot as the power dropped; but I could always crank an engine without a problem and get full power back in no time.

[CClassic28]

Larry,

Where is the 4th battery located. My centerline battery compartment was just large enough to fit 3 group 24 lead acid batteries.


Chris

[backman]

all 4 in the centerline

which extends just past the bolts which secure the forward engine mounts.

I'd get you a measurement but my boats 500 miles away