Battery location question

[jbgibbs99]

On my 26X the battery is located inside the steering pedestal (it was like this when I got it). The boat is a 2000 model I think (the ballast vent is under the V-berth, but the hump/step is still there under the hatch from the earlier models).

It’s not causing me any problems but I was curious if this is standard as every post I’ve read about batteries has them at various locations inside.

The one thought I had was that moving it inside would get the weight lower down – but moving it is a hassle and I’m not sure it would make much difference to my novice sailing.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Bruce

[Sea Wind]

The factory place is on the port side aft of the galley. Most Xs with a second battery (including me) add it forward of the galley.
Personally, I would not feel comfortable having the battery inside the pedestal, that area can get wet with big waves or lots of rain.
The weight of the batteries gets offset with cooler(s) and tools on the starboard side.

[JohnCFI]

on my the Engine Battery is located just aft of the galley on the Port side (I understand that's where MacGregors put it). I installed my three House Batteries in the compartment on the Starboard side just ahead of the table.

[Tomfoolery]

The factory place is on the port side aft of the galley. Most Xs with a second battery (including me) add it forward of the galley.

Just for completeness, my two batteries are aft of the galley, under that little seat that's too small and too secluded to be useful for actually sitting. There is an A/B/A+B/Off switch on the face of the little pedestal. Seems to be plenty of room for a pair of Group 24 batts in boxes in there.

But I don't think I'd care to have it under the pedestal, though I rather doubt it makes much difference to the sailing characteristics of an .

[dlandersson]

My two batteries for my 26X (I got it this way) are on the starboard side under the forward table seat. Two batteries seem to fit very nicely in there.

[jbgibbs99]

Thanks all.

It looks like next winter's project is going to be sorting out the battery and electrics.

I've also felt that the battery is just in the wrong place - and I want to install LEDs etc.

Cheers,

Bruce

[GART]

Mine is in the same position as yours, inside the steering pedestal, works fine, closer to engine so
Shorter wire run and less voltage drop for engine starting, my battery has not got wet in 4 seasons I have owned the boat, it is dry and dusty in there.
I wonder if this is a European /CE marking issue, as I was told Macgregor have to upgrade the wiring to conform with EU regulations.

[bartmac]

Whilst our 26X batteries(2) reside in the rear seat on the galley side, we also have a further 2 under the icebox on the other side....mind you the fitment in the pedestal does take care of the ventilation aspect of batteries...because in the cabin does have implication for the byproduct of batteries ie gasses

[Highlander]

I will be adding two more batts in the V berth location these will be for my windlass/capstan & extra house batts when needed as for ventilation I do not have an issue with that as I installed a bilge venting system that exchanges the air in the whole bilge area from bow to stern including the head if I wish it can vent both together or each one seperately at a time

J

[Catigale]

Bruce...it won't change your sailing at all...enjoy your boat and move it if/when it makes sense on your mod schedule

[bastonjock]

my battery is in the pedestal of my 26x,i am in the process of adding two house batterys ,im placing them under the forward dinnette seating.The plan is to fit a shore power/battery charger to the circuit.If all goes well ill have 90% of it finished this weekend

[DaveB]

I added 2-group 29 Marine Deep cycle in Vberth 5 years ago. They are in the centerline of boat so you can get at them for filling on each hatch cover.
I like the weight up front,low and centered as the mac.X needs the weight there.
I still have a group 24 in original place aft of sink and bought them all same time and the house Batteries is seperated from the starter battery with a diode to prevent draining of starter accidently by wrong selectin of battery switch.
I run refig. and other electronics(laptop,chargeing cell phones,lights ect.) and if anchored for more than 3 days I have 2-40 watt solar panels tied to top of bimini until I make a aluminum support for them and this works well here in FL.
I know those Windlass use a lot of amps under load to run so putting it in Vberth you will need 4gauge wire and maybe 2 gauge to prevent elect. loss.
Engine to batteries in Vberth must be around 26ft. considering the curves. Starting engine at 1500 rpms will give close to max. amps from engine in my case 17 amps when you use the windlass and won't put such a heavy download on your twin house batteries.

Dave

I will be adding two more batts in the V berth location these will be for my windlass/capstan & extra house batts when needed as for ventilation I do not have an issue with that as I installed a bilge venting system that exchanges the air in the whole bilge area from bow to stern including the head if I wish it can vent both together or each one seperately at a time

J

[jbgibbs99]

Interesting thought that it might be a European wiring requirement.

I’m just day sailing at the moment so electrics aren’t really an issue. But as I improve I plan on going over to the west coast of Scotland (only 50 miles away) for cruising breaks. At that point I’ll need a house battery, laptop/iPod chargers etc.

The PO did install shore power – but just an input starboard side of the hatch to a domestic fuse box in the head to a domestic plug socket stuck above the table. No battery charging or any other wires.

Still, that’s next year’s (or the year or two after’s) job. Just finishing off installing lazy jacks (Skips setup) and getting it back on the mooring now that spring is finally here.

[JotaErre]

My "X" is an European-spec Mac (Spain) and it has the batteries (two) just like most of you have said: in the port side, just aft of the galley, under a seat.