Battery bank in aft cabin?

[Sailfree]

No they don't need to have sealed batteries. It is definitely not a normal coding requirement, unless something has recently changed. Venting any hydrogen is fairly easy and safe as it rises. Fitting a gas-bottle type bottom bottom drain is fairly pointless. Most new production boats have batteries under the aft berths, it makes for easy cable runs. Nothing wrong with any other position, but it costs more in heavy cable.

See posts immediatly above and the cl referred to.

 

[LadyInBed]

OP- I looked on a friends boat, similar or the same as yours, last summer. 2x85's in a battery box under sbd aft bunk, 1x85 somewhere in aft port heads. As I remember, without the box he could have fitted three, there might have even been room for larger footprint batteries.
The short cable run is good, but a longer run to the saloon berth isn't the end of the world, just increase the cable thickness or even double up on the cables.
Your other consideration is, does your alternator have sufficient capacity.

 

[EugeneR]

8.4.2.2 Where the maximum charging power output is less than 0.2 kW the batteries may be located in any suitable space without any special container requirements.

On our sports boat we have a sealed battery under a forward bunk for the thruster and winch. It is charged at 10A which gives circa 140W or thereabouts - well below the 0.2kW mentioned. I was considering a rising vent with an outlet in the bow but that seems to introduce more risks than it solves. The standard above suggests that it would not be necessary, given that the charging power is so low. Is this correct? If so, I'd take that as a guide then.

 

[Tintin]

......
Your other consideration is, does your alternator have sufficient capacity.

It will have - 90a Prestolight and an Adverc going in to the mix too.

 

[Sarnia]

I have a conundrum.

My boat, a Beneteau 325, currently has its house batteries under the boards in the aft cabin. Its a good location, on the cable run from engine to switch panel, main switches on bulkhead, and possibly room for a 3rd battery.

As i am currently doing an electrical refit i have looked at increasing battery capacity (kids, tv, fridge etc...) and while I could fit a 3rd 110ah battery in the current space under the aft bed, i could fit 2 more (so 4 total) under the port settee berth if i squeezed the flexible water tank (which is currently taking all.the space) into a smaller space by installing a partition under the settee.

This new location allows higher capacity but increases cable runs, so potentially bigger cables.

Being lazy, the aft cabin option is easier BUT I am concerned about havibg batteries in a sleeping cabin, despite that being the original location for the original (smaller) bank.

Thoughts?

I have batteries in aft cabin forward locker and vented, no problems with them.
This link may help you as to the most efficient means of connecting a bank together.
http://www.smartgauge.co.uk/batt_con.html

 

[matt1]

A different consideration is weight distribution. I'm not familiar with the Ben 325 but it sounds like you are potentially moving them forward between 1-2m. Don't underestimate the affect that could have on her fore / aft balance. I would be inclined to do a temporary mock up of this job in the water and see if there is any difference before proceeding. The designer will have factored them being where they originally are and also allowed for some cockpit locker equipment. If you don't have much of the latter and you add and move batteries forward you could interfere with her sailing characteristics.

 

[jwilson]

The links I've provided above now suggest otherwise.

You appear right - this seems to have changed. Thanks.