House Battery

[Dragonten]

Can someone tell me which is the house battery on a 53MY? Port or Starboard? No way to easily tell from what I can see.

Thanks,

 

[SKYCHENEY]

port is house and port engine

Stbd starts the generator and stbd engine

You can tell by the battery switches in each engine room

 

[Dragonten]

Thanks that makes sense duh.. US Battery sells various different AH rated batteries. Would you recommend going with the highest output? Reason I ask is my starboard batteries have the lowest rating. Need a new set of port batteries.

Thanks,

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Go with the highest AH that fits in the boxes.

 

[Dragonten]

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Dragonten]

In closer inspection there is only one size that fits. Right now the port batteries won't turn over the engine. I was just going to replace all four, but is there anything I can do to check them first. Maybe one is bad or best to just replace all four? Replaced the starboard ones 3 years ago.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Its best to replace them all. You can test them with a hydrometer but I wouldn't replace just one unless they are only a year or two old.

They won't charge at the same rate if you replace just one and may over/undercharge individual batteries.

 

[Pascal]

You really can’t replace one battery out of a bank unless the bank is almost new and one battery failed prematurely

Personally I think the battery system is the one thing hatteras messed up…. Each engine and gen should have its own starting bank separated from the house bank. That kind of set up belongs on a carver or bay liner. I know you can make it work but it s not ideal.

 

[Fanfare]

In 1965-6, under the original Hatteras Yacht Company, the collaboration of Slane/Hargrave did batteries right. Three banks, 12 volts, individually charged via selector. Port and starboard banks for engine starting, each two paralleled 8D batteries. A single 4D for generator starting. Owner did have to remember to alternate the two starting/house banks which I still do weekly. The generator has its own charger when running so seldom needed checking.

Then the bean counters got involved and.....

 

[Dragonten]

I am being told that perhaps the 13-4-1 155 AH US Batteries might not be made any more. Dealer is double checking. If this proves to be correct any suggestions for alternatives with sufficient cold cranking amps and storage capacity to serve as house bank as well?

Thanks,

 

[bostonhatteras]

Cross reference the battery group size to the dimensions and find a dimensionally similar battery with characteristics you need. Appears US battery is stating your desired battery is a group 12. Either that or swap out the battery boxes for a battery box designed for the battery you’d like to use. https://batterycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/BCI-Group-Sizes.pdf

 

[Captain Ralph]

I am being told that perhaps the 13-4-1 155 AH US Batteries might not be made any more. Dealer is double checking. If this proves to be correct any suggestions for alternatives with sufficient cold cranking amps and storage capacity to serve as house bank as well?

Thanks,

Some where in HOF a member found a battery company that will make 13", 8V batteries per order.
Do some searches on this or maybe somebody here will remember and help you get that lead.