12 June 2020 no 8d batteries in US

[ttmott]

I went to the boat yesterday to take it over to the fuel dock and when cranking found the starboard battery pulled down to 8 volts; alarms everywhere. So it's bad, 5 years old and time to replace. I wanted to replace just the one with another cheapo lead acid as next spring the boat is going over to Lithium batteries.
I called around and there are no 8d batteries in our area; in fact Batteries Plus said there are no 8d batteries nationally due to the plants shutting down because of the virus.
I ended up having to buy a pair (can't mix and match) of 8d AGM's that they had in stock; don't even ask what they cost...… Hopefully I can sell them next year.
So, the message - if you will be needing batteries start looking....
Tom

 

[Creekwood]

Similar in Canada. Some batteries are hard to come by. I have to replace my 6v house bank and had difficulty finding a pair of suitable batteries on short notice. So I have put it off for a year, and went with a pair of Optima Blue tops 12v. The only reason I went that route is that the size fits in the Blue Sea's battery box I have for the 6v golf carts and I could order them online delivered. I have no long trips at anchor so not overly concerned for this summer and will update them next year and sell the blue tops. UPDATE: Found a source for Rolls Saurette 6v batteries of the right size/capacity, so will buy those and return the Blue Tops that I had not yet installed.

I am going to install a third battery switch on the house power feed though so I can use the switch to swing the house feed to the port or starboard bank. My starboard bank is a pair of dual purpose group 27s that are pretty decent as back up.

The power to the house bank comes from a heavy red wire on the back of the port battery switch (I moved it before from starboard to port when I installed the 6v bank). I will move that to the back of the new battery switch and run two new wires from the A and B ports on the switch to the back of the port and starboard battery switch. Voila - I can move my house feed at will from the cockpit.

 

[ocgrant]

I went to the boat yesterday to take it over to the fuel dock and when cranking found the starboard battery pulled down to 8 volts; alarms everywhere. So it's bad, 5 years old and time to replace. I wanted to replace just the one with another cheapo lead acid as next spring the boat is going over to Lithium batteries.
I called around and there are no 8d batteries in our area; in fact Batteries Plus said there are no 8d batteries nationally due to the plants shutting down because of the virus.
I ended up having to buy a pair (can't mix and match) of 8d AGM's that they had in stock; don't even ask what they cost...… Hopefully I can sell them next year.
So, the message - if you will be needing batteries start looking....
Tom

Wow... I was in Sams Club last week and saw 8D Duracell’s sitting in stock on the rack.