Maximum Number of House Batteries

[kpilcher]

What is the recommended maximum number of house batteries that can safely be attached to the alternator (Yanmar 6BY-260) and battery charger (Freedom SW 2000) on my R-29.

I'm interested in a little more run time at anchor and doing a little ballasting with battery weight on the starboard side to get rid of the port list.

 

[pugtug613]

Do you have a solar panel? My house bank is fine the way it is, with the solar panel. I can stay on the hook for days at a time w/o starting the genny to recharge.

You can add as many batteries as you would like. You will increase your AH with each battery. You should install a battery isolator though. The load on the alternator and the charger will increase. With an isolator, you will charge 1 battery at a time. Get a hold of Nigel Calder's book on electrical systems and diesel engines. It's a great book and dedicates 2 chapters on care and maintenance of batteries and really explains how a house bank works. There is a bunch to consider before adding batteries. How many AH do you have and need is just the beginning.

 

[Kenny Marrs]

I would also look into LED lights if you haven't done so already. This will help out a lot!

 

[PhilR]

I have a 27 that came with 2 group 27 house batteries. I recently replaced all 4 batteries with group 31 AGM batteries....a bit of a pain...had to do surgery on the battery trays due to the increased size of the group 31s....but, I never connect to shore power. I'm good for several nights on the hook....between the solar panel and a few hours of engine running time, my batteries stay fully charged.

 

[HRowland]

I believe the R-29 has 4 house batteries, double that of the 25s and 27s. The engine alternator and battery charger would have no issues with more batteries, it would just take longer to charge them. If you do add more be sure to review ABYC recommendations to do so safely.

As mentioned you can also switch to LED interior lighting if you have not already done so, this can significantly extend your time between charges.

For ballast you can always store an extra anchor!

Howard

 

[kpilcher]

Thank you, everyone, for your recommendations. I've ordered a copy of Calder's book.

LED lighting is an option for me to explore. I also wonder about the condition of the batteries; I bought the boat used and they may be 5 years old by now (no dates are punched on the battery labels). This boat was kept in dry storage a lot, and the batteries may have spent a lot of that time discharged.

Solar cells are interesting to us, but I wonder if we could still mount two kayaks on the roof rack?

Thanks again,
Ken

P.S. I'll start looking for an extra anchor 😉

 

[dpiano]

We have a single solar panel and store 2 kayaks with no trouble in our R29.

 

[kpilcher]

We have a single solar panel and store 2 kayaks with no trouble in our R29.

Excellent! Thanks for the reply.