Has anyone moved their batteries to this location (bench infront of the port bulkhead)? We're planning to install a composting head so the tank will be un-needed.
Currently the boat has two batteries under the aft seat on the starboard side and one under the forward seat. I was thinking it would behoove us to get the weight more centralized and we would be able to run more house batteries. I'm aiming for 300-400amp hours capacity. It looks like we would be able to fit 6 batteries in this space and keep the existing battery locations too.
My primary concern is adding weight in a goofy location that negatively impacts the performance of the boat. The bow already sits too low due to the AC, and the current anchor setup. I'm sure it'll get worse once we add the windlass and all chain anchor rode. Obviously we'll be able to move weight around to balance the boat but I'd rather not start off with a big issue to adjust for if I can avoid it.
'86 Catalina 36
Work in progress!
MKI or MKII?
(make life easier and put your boat specifics in your signature line)
Hummina
1987 Catalina 36 MKI
#741
Bayfield, WI. Usually.
If it's an MKI, I'm pretty sure the holding tank is 21 gallons. 21 gallons of just water is ~160 pounds. A cheap Walmart group 27 deep cell is ~50lbs, so you could easily do three without issue.
Hummina
1987 Catalina 36 MKI
#741
Bayfield, WI. Usually.
Where are you going to put the stuff that was going into the holding tank?? Going the direct discharge route besides being illegal in most places - I whiuldt want to be sailing with that 2” thruhull open - you’ll be going to be doing some mopping.
Les
Les & Trish Troyer
Mahalo
Everett, WA
1983 C-36 Hull #0094
C-36 MK 1 Technical Editor.
Commodore
Make sure to do the homework on the composting heads. They’re way more work than advertised, smell (hence the fans) and your pee gets poured in the water and either do the same with your poop (just mixed with peat) or have to find somewhere to dump it - hmmmmm.
These were a fad but not environmentally responsible.
2000 C36 MKII 1825
I know two people that have composting heads, and compared to the normal head there is nearly no smell, even when the boat is opened up after a week closed. I have no idea what boats KnotDoneYet has been on, but it's not been my experience.
Hummina
1987 Catalina 36 MKI
#741
Bayfield, WI. Usually.
Thanks for the replies guys! I've updated my signature.
I've pulled the tank, head and all the associated plumbing from the boat. After a couple weeks of airing out the head stank is almost gone. I think its just going to take time for the stank to go away completely.
I can see the composting head requiring more frequent maintenance for emptying the containers. It seems pretty reasonable compared to the headache of getting pump outs, discharging the tank and living with a tank of poop in the boat (the design of the tank precludes you ever getting all of its "contents" out of it so you're always going to have a little onboard). From what I'm told finding pumpout locations in the caribbean can be a bit of a challenge too.
I've started looking at some LFE batteries since they weigh in around 30lbs each for 12v/100ah capacity. I'll be able to hit my target AH, run them all in one location (where the holding tank was), and have room to add more down the road (where the current lead acid batteries are at) if I need to.
'86 Catalina 36
Work in progress!