Batteries for 380 DA

Dasch Boat

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GOLD Sponsor
Jan 3, 2010
599
Long Island
Boat Info
2003 380 DA
Engines
8.1 Horizons ZF 63IV
V Drives
The batteries that came with my boat are all cranking type (Interstate 27M-XHD) 800 CCA and 1000MCA rating (2 per engine). The genny has the same unit also. My question is was the boat delivered new with this set up or were these changed out prior to my 2009 purchase? The date tags were never punched and the warranty cards are still attached so I'm thinking they may be original to the boat. As I'm getting ready to replace them should I introduce a deep cycle to each engine in tandem with the cranking units?
 
Most importantly keep them all the same, if you are replacing do them all. starting batteries are all that is necessary.
 
I would disagree with Larry. What you have are three battery banks. One bank for the stbd engine, one bank for the port engine and one bank for the gennie. Your main engine battery banks each have two batteries and your gennie bank has one battery for a total of 5 batteries.

It's important that each bank have the same type of battery and that batteries in a bank be replaced at the same time. You also should have some deep cycle batteries in your banks to handle the constant charge and discharge cycles that are seen in normal anchoring conditions. The gennie bank could be a starting only battery.
 
It's important that each bank have the same type of battery and that batteries in a bank be replaced at the same time. You also should have some deep cycle batteries in your banks to handle the constant charge and discharge cycles that are seen in normal anchoring conditions. The gennie bank could be a starting only battery.[/QUOTE]
So you are saying one deep cycle and one cranking battery in series for each engine bank? Doesn't his contradict the "each bank have the same type of battery" statement?
 
We have 2 banks of 31 Deep Discharge Marine Batteries. The generator is off the port bank if I rememeber correctly. Anyway, with parallel batteries in each bank you get more crank current (basically twice the single battery current). When we replace I am going with the AGM 31 type, not flooded cell. These do not require topping off the water every few months.
 
I have all starting 1000 MCA batteries maintenance free (Deka) and have no issues holding charge or running too low. This is the way the boat was delivered new.
 
Dasch Boat:

Remember that each bank of batteries (you have three banks with a total of 5 batteries) is isolated from each other in normal use. The batteries within each bank should be the same type and they should be replaced at the same time. None of the batteries are in series. The batteries within a bank are in parrallel with each other and when two banks are combined, as in the situation when you use your emergency start switch, they are put in parrallel with each other.
 
Dasch Boat:

Remember that each bank of batteries (you have three banks with a total of 5 batteries) is isolated from each other in normal use. The batteries within each bank should be the same type and they should be replaced at the same time. None of the batteries are in series. The batteries within a bank are in parrallel with each other and when two banks are combined, as in the situation when you use your emergency start switch, they are put in parrallel with each other.
I intend to replace all 5 at the same time, I'm still not sure if I can or should do all cranking or a combination with deep cycles at each bank.
 
This would be my suggestion. Buy 1 starting battery for you generator and buy 4 Dual purpose (combination starting and deep cycle) batteries for you engine banks. Wether or not you want to go the extra expense of AGM batteries is a budgetary personal choice.
 
Dasch, whatever you decide, please post. I think I have my port bank beginning to go south and I'm not going to screw with it. Time to replace and I have exactly the same set up you do.
 
Looking at the wiring diagrams in the 380DA owners manual, the Port side bank supplies the DC circuits at the helm (Electronics, windlass, etc) and the Stbd bank supples the DC ciruits to the cabin DC panel.

If you spend anytime on the hook,IMHO, you will want both of those banks to be dual purpose deep cycle batteries.

In that same manual, Sea Ray specs Group 27 with 575 cold cranking amps and 165 minutes of reserve capacity. You can easliy fit largre Group 31 batteries for more reserve and more CCA.
 
Mine came with 5 dual purpose deep cycle Group 27 batteries. When it's time I plan to replace with the same or 31's. I believe I would need to replace the charger to switch to Gel.
 
dc380 - did you mean gel or AGM?...No charger changing if you go to AGMs. Their charging specs are about the same as wet cells...

Dasch - I know we don't have the same boats, but my port bank powers the house and starts the port engine, my stbd bank powers bilge pumps, stereo memory and part of my helm as well as starting the genny and stbd engine. I have two grp 31 wet cells (cranking batteries) on the stbd side and two Sears Platinum Diehard deep cycle AGMs (grp 31s) on the port side for house loads. On cool nights I can anchor all night and power the house (including two refrigerators) and still crank the port engine the next day. Those AGMs are great. Warmer weather we run the genny, so battery life is not a concern.

Sea Salt's comments make it sound like your banks are exactly the opposite from my 340. Keep in mind, helm loads will not be high when you are not underway, so you could start by changing to deep cycles (AGM or wet - your preference) for your house side (stbd) first.

The Diehard Platinum AGMS are about $250 each for grp 31s - and as someone mentioned earlier - do not mix battery types on the same bank and always replace both at the same time...sometimes the Optima AGMs are on sale at Autozone or Advance - I think someone got them for around $100 each with a coupon. I believe the Optima "Blue Top" is their deep cycle model...
 
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Charter

I wasn't aware I could switch to AGM's without swapping out the charger. Looking at the price, and the fact they are maintenaince free, I definitely will replace the ones I have with AGM's. I hate having to put water in the ones I have. It's a real pain to get at the batteries.

thanks Dave
 
Charter

I wasn't aware I could switch to AGM's without swapping out the charger. Looking at the price, and the fact they are maintenaince free, I definitely will replace the ones I have with AGM's. I hate having to put water in the ones I have. It's a real pain to get at the batteries.

thanks Dave

You need to see if your charger has a setting for battery types. Mine is 3 position: wet cell (LA), Gel and AGM. You set for the type of battery you have.
 
Thanks Guys, I will go with a set of each and use a cranking battery for the genset.
 
Dasch, whatever you decide, please post. I think I have my port bank beginning to go south and I'm not going to screw with it. Time to replace and I have exactly the same set up you do.
Jedi, I replaced all 5 batteries with the same type and manufacturer that came with the boat (Interstate 27M-XHD), they have held up for eight seasons and that seems like a long life to me. I picked them up at a local Interstate distribution center for $115.00 each plus a $15.00 refundable core charge.
 
Dasch, thanks. I am still fumbling through my decision process and may add your solution as an option. As of this second (and its a fluid decision tree), I'm headed to Sears to see what I can do about five PM1's., I have a quote of five Optima Blue top 31's delivered for $209 each (weightlifting son can install with coupon thanks Carter Chapman), five Interstate group 27 AGM's installed by the marina for $1400 (Only Mate's favorite...figures we won't blow anything up and its now their problem), fwebster's sage advice about using Yellow Tops instead of blues, and a trip to my local "go to" battery guy...Bomber battery...to see what he has to say, and, last but not least, a visit to Costco and BJ's to see what they have available. I dont think I want to go "wet cell". Even though we have a lot of room, I'm not as nimble as I once was, and consequential additional time spent adding water is time taken from boating, sex and alcohol. My genny battery is a WestMarine SeaSense wet cell, that seems to be fine, so I also could drop down to four AGMs...decisions decisions, but I completely get your thought process and salute your conclusion.

Update...yellow tops are $220 delivered on Amazon and blue tops are $200 but Amazon gives a one year warranty and any other warranty you have to deal with Optima.
 
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