Battery location and other questions

[geoffr]

Hi folks:

I'm doing some restoration work on the Investigator I've just bought, and have a few questions for the forum.

First, where is the best place to house a marine battery in an Investigator? My boat has it fitted in the starboard cockpit locker, but I thought this might place too much weight on that side. Having said that, the motor is on the port side, so perhaps it (and the fuel tank in the port cockpit locker) cancel out the battery weight on the other side. I'd be keen to know if this is standard practice though.

Secondly, is there a standard basic wiring diagram for an Investigator, especially with an outboard that includes an alternator? I want to hook up a marine 27 Meg radio, and a 12v car radio, plus interior lighting.

Thirdly, is there a clearly dimensioned drawing of a centre-plate for this yacht - in case I need to get a new one made? I know there is one on this website, but it's a very low res version that does not enlarge clearly.

Finally: the timber gunwale rails on my boat are almost in need of replacing. I'd like to use wood again, and protect it so that it actually looks like the original honey coloured wood that was a feature of new Investigators. Any recommendations re the type of wood to use, and the protection it would need?

Many thanks. I'm sure I'll have more questions as this job progresses, but this is a start.

Cheers,

Geoff

[snoopebj]

Hi Geoff
Mine are in forrard locker behind the porta potti - I made a wooden base with alloy angle to hold two marine agm batteries side by side width ways which are wedged in place by a wooden 4X2. I have two islolator switches fixed onto the locker bulkhead next to porta potti into which goes the wiring from each battery and from the front switch panel on the stbd inner bulkhead. My thought was that this keeps the weight forward and low (as the investigator tends to be stern heavy) also can check batteries are off and safe at a quick glance at switches.
If you want to go this way I'll post photos.
Good Luck

[geoffr]

Hi 'Emrys':

Many thanks for your reply.

I'll now have to check whether the battery I have will fit into the forward bin area. That would seem the logical place to house it, and is where the battery stowed on my previous boat: in centre, up front and down low.

My only concern would be how to run wiring to and from that area. Have you had to drill any holes for running cabling aft?

If you have some pics readily at hand, then that would be great!

Thanks again,

Geoff

[Yara50]

On Yara we have a water pipe running from the bow to one of the cockpit lockers, and it runs under the cabin sole in the space above the ballast, without any holes except the one where it enters the locker.

[snoopebj]

Geoff
Pics of fitout
These show my attempts at a sealed battery locker. The battery lid/shelf slides in place and houses four fused cig lighter sockets for charging etc
The advantages are -
sealed secure battery compartment
batteries low down in forward position
making use of locker which is normally not used because of access problems
Quick checking of battery isolator switches

Disadvantages
Cabling runs through stbd locker and bulkhead to board

Good Luck

[snoopebj]

continued

The reason I ran the wiring through stbd locker and main bulkhead was to keep the wiring high in the event of a knock down - the only wiring I have in bilges is two bilge pumps and auto switch in bilge below companionway step.

all the best

[Yara50]

Emrys
It looks like you have open lockers under the bunks. On Yara they are sealed for bouyancy. It is a debatable point whether it is necessary to have full bouyancy on a boat which is in effect a mini-keelboat. We have our water tank in the forward compartment in front of the porta potti.

[snoopebj]

Hi Ian
Yes the forrard lockers are the original factory fitout, I'm thinking there is enough buoyancy under the main bunks without sacrificing the locker space forrard as well.
I think the original self righting test was conducted with a standard Investigator and it satisfied them. However I get your point that any extra buoyancy is always helpfull.
I've gone a little way to sealing the forrard lockers by putting in adjustable ss air vents / sealing in behind speakers and adding sliding /locking lid with covered finger hole.
The battery locker has a rubber sealed lid and a pressure catch also. All I can say is I hope I never have to test these in earnest!
Where is your battery located Ian?

[geoffr]

Hi all:

Thanks for your feedback re the siting of the battery up forward.

I've just completed this job and I think it will work very well.

I've glassed in a new level floor into the forward locker, so that the battery can sit level on it. I've also attached the tie-down straps to this same piece or marine ply 'floor' (which I coated in resin before sealing in with glass tape.

Prior to all this though, I ran 20mm diameter grey electrical conduit (with proper elbow bends sealed with PVC blue glue) from the forward locker, up beneath the sole and past the CB casing, to exit up along the tube carry the CB cable uphaul. From there, the 12V wire in this conduit will go straight to a new battery switch and fuse box layout I'm constructing for the starboard inner cabin side.

I'll post some pics soon if anyone is interested.

Compared to the non-existant electrics aboard my boat when I bought it, I think this will be a great improvement.

Cheers,

Geoff

[Phil]

Much better spot up front. The original idea of a battery in an enclosed area with a fuel tank is asking for trouble.Petrol vapours and sparks and all that.