Battery size

A forum for discussing topics relating to older MacGregor/Venture sailboats.
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Curwen
Engineer
Posts: 154
Joined: Tue Aug 11, 2015 6:19 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26D
Location: Salt Lake City, UT

Battery size

Post by Curwen »

Hello,

I bought a 26D that has been sitting for some time. The previous owner removed the starboard battery. I'm ready to buy a battery, but I don't know what size I should buy. I don't have any additional electronics and have no plans for adding them. What size battery should I look for to be able to run the deck and mast lights for a weekend get-a-way?

Thank you
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Jimmyt
Admiral
Posts: 3166
Joined: Sat Jul 18, 2015 9:52 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Mobile AL 2013 26M, 60 Etec

Re: Battery size

Post by Jimmyt »

What type of lights? How many and what length of time will you be burning them? There are online calculators that will help you figure out the total daily amp hours needed. Then, you have to figure out how to interpret battery labels to try to match a battery to your demand. Are you going to run any solar, or will the battery literally have to last the entire cruise?

My suggestion to you is get as much converted to LED as you can. My anchor light draws 0.2amp; my Nav lights take 0.3 amp; and if I turn on all my cabin lights, they use a whopping 0.5 amp. My steaming light is still hot wire, but I may convert it just cause I can.

I have a battery that will do about 50 amp hours at 25amp draw, so I can easily make a day or two if I don't use significant accessories like VHF, Chartplotter, etc. Although I am having a case of solar envy...

All this to say, there are a lot of smart guys on this forum, but not many clairvoyants. I'll bet that if you give them a little more info, they will help you figure it out. Check out the calculator link for your entertainment.

https://www.boundlessoutfitters.com/Bat ... -s/129.htm
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Jonair222
Chief Steward
Posts: 67
Joined: Tue Jun 23, 2015 6:14 pm
Sailboat: Venture 2-22

Re: Battery size

Post by Jonair222 »

24 STANDARD SIZE MARINE DEEP CYCLE
EXIDE from HD is GREAT

MAKE SURE YOU UTILIZE THAT VOLTAGE FROM YOUR OUTBOARD MAGNETO TO TRICKLE CHARGE
USE A DIODE = PREVENT ELECTROLYSIS
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