Cold Cranking Amps for M25XP

[Vic Suben]

I am considering replacing the electrical panel in Surprise a 1987 Catalina 34.  As part of this change, I would also replace the main battery switch.  To select the correct switch, it would be helpful to know the cold cranking amps of the M25XP.

I would appreciate hearing from anyone who knows the current draw of the starting motor.

Thanks,

Vic

[Stu Jackson]

Why replace the 1-2-B switch?  Do you think something is wrong with it?

Maine Sail has reported this:

Starting the engine requires very, very little from a battery, many folks over think this and believe it requires a lot more than it really does. The peak in-rush current draw, for a split second, on my 44HP four cylinder Westerbeke is about 160 amps (peak split second current). The starter motor on my Westerbeke is a 1.5 kW an the starters on the average Universal M-25's are .8 kW.

You do NOT need one of those "heavy duty" switches.

[mainesail]

Any Blue Sea, Perko or Guest battery switch will be more than enough. Why are you replacing it..?

In-rush on these motors is 300A +/- depending upon temps, cable, battery condition etc. continual starting load in the 150A range.

Do you plan to crank your motor at 0F often??

[Vic Suben]

Thanks for the information.  The reason for the replacement is that I want to switch to a circuit breaker panel to get rid of the fuses.  When changing to the Blue Seas panels, space becomes a consideration and their m-type battery switch is a better fit than the e-type.

Vic

[KWKloeber]

Good sale price for Anyone needing a multi meter to measure cranking amps (or just another tool) see:

https://groups.io/g/Catalina30/message/103003