Thruster battery access?

[SLyle01]

R27 O/B: Looks like the boatyard missed d/c the thruster battery over the winter...dead now.
What is the easiest way to access that battery (waaay under port hatch/lazarette) for either testing, disconnecting for storage --or (ugh) replacement?
Thx.

 

[MarcoArias]

Hi,

The best way to access the battery would be via the hatch. Please remember to shut off all breakers and switches on the boat before disconnecting the batteries.

 

[Kimberly Dawn]

Marco,

I'm curious if the ELCI switch in the cave, when tripped to the off position, shuts off all shorepower to the boat but does no impact DC power from batteries?

What about direct wired 24/7 fuse blocks?

What about the solar panel?

 

[MarcoArias]

Bob,

That is correct. The ELCI is only for the shorepower feed; turning this switch off will not affect the functionality of the solar panel or any of the fuse blocks.

 

[Kimberly Dawn]

"Please remember to shut off all breakers and switches on the boat before disconnecting the batteries."

So how do you disengage solar panel from charging battery? Disconnect wiring connection at the underside of the panel?

24/7 fuse block do you simply pull the fuses?

Are the standard fuse blocks shut off by simply selecting the off position of the house switch?

 

[SLyle01]

My point IS: Of the 4 (four) AGM batteries on our R27O/B, the least accessible is Thruster battery. it is not even visible as located, FWD of both House batteries and waaay under portside cockpit hatch. Requires unscrewing and moving shelf -with BOTH House AGM (heavy) batteries...to even see thruster battery. VERY inconvenient design.
What about modifying the bottom of the port storage cabinet (beside entry door) to be 'removable'...would that make it easier to access thruster battery i.e. d/c for storage, test or replace?
Thx.

 

[MarcoArias]

Bob,

You can disable the charging from the solar panel by pulling the inline fuse for the solar panel that is located at the house battery bank. For the fuse blocks, trip all of the DC breakers and pull the fuses on the 24/7 block. The R41 has a DC breaker for the 24/7 fuse block. The standard fuse blocks will have the power cut to them when the house switch is turned off.