Electrical Modifications

• Golf Cart Batteries^{*new 06*}

The old Group 24 batteries are history.  I replaced them with two 6 volt GC-2-105 Trojan golf cart batteries connected in series.  This bank has 225 Amp hours of power, almost double the previous one (in reality probably more than double actually available given the age and condition of the previous ones.  The two new batteries are taller and had to go elsewhere.  They are now in a polyethylene battery box up under the forward dinette seat next to the two water tanks.  The fit is perfect.  There is even an access panel right above the box.  The water tanks lift out and the box can be unscrewed and slid over for full service access.

I simply used 2 #4 13' cables to extend their connections back to the wiring already at the aft galley compartment where they connect to the meter shunt and a new positive post.  None of the other wiring had to be re-done but I was able to clean up the connections and get it all mounted on the aft side of the galley shelves.  I put in another plywood panel to protect it and now have a clear additional storage compartment.

• Starting Battery ^{*new 08*}
  
  As part of the new motor installation we added a dedicated starting battery.  It is wired directly to the motor which is it's only load.  The battery is located back in the standard location in the compartment just aft of the galley.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
• Battery Combiner ^{*new 08*}
  
  Now that I have two banks of batteries, I installed a ACR battery combiner between the starting battery and the house golf cart batteries.  When the motor is running and the voltage rises over 13 volts on the starting battery the combiner closes and lets the motor charge the house batteries as well.  When the motor is turned off and the voltage drops the combiner opens keeping the starting battery isolated from the house loads ensuring that there is always power to start the motor.
  
  The combiner is located in the compartment just aft of the galley as well.
  
  
  
  
  LED bulbs in fixtures ^{*new 08*}
  
  To reduce the power load of cabin lighting I replaced 3 of the cabin bulbs with LED panels.  These come with a bayonet base that plugs right into the existing fixture.  I added a layer of foam between the circuit board and the metal base for insulation, then just cable ties the board to the bulb base in the fixture.
  
  These bulbs are the first I have found that are really usable.  They have a nice warm white color and their coverage pattern matches the normal bulb very well.  This keeps the nice cozy feel to the cabin instead of giving it a harsh white color.
  
  
   
• Main Switch/Bigger Panel ^{*new 04*}
  
  Needing more circuits I replaced the 4 circuit panel with a 6 circuit one that fit's in the same hole.  I enlarged the hole above it and put in a flush mount main switch
   
• 120v Breaker and outlet^{*new 04*}
  
  Originally I just wired the power inlet directly to the charger, but this summer I re-routed the inlet to a pair of 15 amp main breakers.  From there the power goes to a junction box and feeds the battery charger and a GFCI outlet mounted just forward of the galley.
  
  ^{*new 06*} An addition outlet is now below the dinette.
   
• Revised Meter Location ^{*new 04*}
  
  When we started carrying the second drink cooler just aft of the galley on the battery seat area it was no longer easy to use the meter so I moved it to the face of the seat where it is now easily accessible.
   

• 12a Shore Power Charger
  
  With the bigger batteries and now the starting battery I removed the old 5 amp charger and installed a Pro Sport 12,
  12 amp 2 bank charger.  This is a new generation charger that varies the output to either bank based on need rather than just supplying a fixed output.  This gives us more 12v power without draining the batteries when running on 120v shore power at the dock.  The charger is located in the compartment just aft  of the galley.
   

• 15a Power Inlet
  
  On the inside port transom I installed a
  15 amp shore power inlet.  This lets me use a simple extension cord for shore power.  I have a 120v 30a to 120v 15a converter plug for use at those marinas without 15 a power outlets.
   

• Fan
• Extra Lights
• Satellite Radio ^{*new 06*}

  I installed XM Satellite radio.  It's the Delphi roadyXT.  I just use the same car kit it came with.  I have the home kit as well for the stereo.  Music with no commercials, great stuff.

   

• Relocated Galley Light ^{*new 04*}
• Reading Light ^{*new 04*}
• Head LED Night Light ^{*new 03*}
  
  Having 11 hard wired lights scattered through out the boat makes evenings and nights much better.  Up in the vee berth we have a halogen light on a flexible stalk which takes care of reading in the forward stateroom.  Above the table we have the standard factory light.  On the forward wall of the head at the dinette we have a Xenon pivoting reading light.  On the port side I moved the forward factory light back centered directly above the galley to get more light on work there.  I filled it’s old spot with a LED fixture that gives adequate low current draw light in the salon late at night.  Another factory light is in the usual place above the battery area aft of the galley but it doesn’t get used much. 
  
  In the head is a fourth factory light.  Mounted in this light with a separate switch is a single LED.  This uses so little power the amp meter can’t even tell it’s on.  We leave this on all night as a night light for any middle of the night trips to the head.  It is plenty of light and it makes it so the kids don’t go back to bed with the main head light on. 
  
  On each side of the aft berth is a two way white/red light for the boys.  They like having battle mode.  And finally, in the cockpit I have a 4 LED strip light that velcros up to the bottom of the bimini and can be aimed anywhere in the cockpit that light is needed.  It also can be hand held.  We also have 2 LED headlamps that are always useful.
  
  We installed a 12v fan and reading light on the beam between the front windows just forward of the original factory power panel.  I also replaced the switches in factory panel as they were not head friendly in this low forward area.  Now they do not damage your head when you hit them.
   
• 12v Outlets
  
  We have 4 12v outlets throughout the boat.  One above the head door,  One at the forward dinette seat, one at the port settee ahead of the galley and one at the pedestal in the cockpit.
   
• Inverter
  
  To provide 120v power for charging gameboys, cell phones and running the computer we have a 125 watt inverter velcroed to the wall just ahead of the galley area.
  
  ^{*new 06*}An extension cord is now run to under the table through the storage compartments making it easy to plug into the inverter on the starboard side of the boat.