Battery / Genset Muffler locations

[cct]

Ok, time for the next project

I've read other posts here on batteries, but I'm specifically looking for where the batteries and genset exhaust are located and how the batteries are integrated into the electrical system.

Currently, our start batteries are located on the port side of the engine bay, back by the transmission, tucked around the corner and directly aft and underneath of the port side entrance door. The house batteries are located in the aft berth, under the mattress. Meanwhile, the genset exhaust muffler is located amidship on the port side of the engine bay and in my opinion, consuming valuable real estate for something that requires little to no maintenance.

I'd like to swap the positions of the genset muffler and the batteries. The start batteries are next to impossible to check their water level and I'd like all the batteries to be centrally located. There is a Genset in front of the Ford Lehman that consumes alot of that available space. Along the starboard side of the Ford Lehman, we have a Schedule 40 waste line that precludes battery storage on that side.

So, I'm thinking the best place to locate all batteries is amidship, along the port side of the engine. I'm thinking 2 Rubbermaid containers (1 for engines, 1 for house) and a panel nearby for appropriate fusing and associated wiring.

Where are your Albin 36 battery banks / genset mufflers located?

[crowra]

Not sure what year your boat is but here's the layout on our '87 36' trawler:

Going fore to aft we have a genset that sits over the holding tank, sump holding tank, space to the bilge (about a foot), Cummins 210 engine. The main engine starting battery is on the port side of the sump holding tank. It's far enough over that I can remove the deck board covering the sump hold tank. The generator battery is in front of the main engine starting battery, sort of to the left on the genset. The waterlift muffler for the generator is to the right of the generator and exhausts/drains out the starboard side. I don't really see how that could be located anywhere else. Our house batteries are located in the storage portion of our settee (starboard side, amidship). Our watertanks, two 100 gallon tanks, are located under bed in the aft stateroom.

[mike66]

On our 40', the house batteries are along the port fuel tank, the engine start battery is directly forward of the engine, and the gennie is located starboard of the transmission with the muffler and starting battery directly forward alongside the Lehman. I think your idea of a battery bank on the port side would work fine; just make sure moving that weight forward won't upset the way you sit in the water. My boat needs an extra scupper forward of the two factory ones because water settles there, even with full water tanks. Not sure if it's because of my battery placement, chain anchor rode or ?? but it has caused some leakage into the aft cabin. Good luck with your project.