Batteries

Launched the boat last weekend. Turned the key and nothing. Switched the battery switch to both and it started right up. I pulled the battery that was bad to replace it and the manufacturer date was 4/10. Boy time flies. I guess I got my monies worth out of that Northern battery.
 
ttmott said:
During the thick of the plandemic there was a run / shortage of batteries - especially 8D's for some odd reason. And as luck would have it, mine crapped the bed. The only 8D's in our area were at Batteries Plus and it was their top shelf AGM's and they weren't giving them away. No choice, had to get them.
Click to expand...

Oh man that will leave a mark. I just replaced my 8D's this spring with NAPA's maintenance free lead acid. Got both for 2/3 the cost of one of those AGM's. They are a bitch to change by yourself though.
 
So, I am interested in LIFEPO's, but the expense and complexity of setting them up properly has kept me out thus far.

I run 6 volts for the house bank. I have just had much better performance and longevity from them. I used to run old school flooded cells. I would get about 6 years out of them. I had to check water levels regularly and deal with moderate levels of corrosion on terminals.

One day I raised the engine hatch to find one boiled over. I new it immediately from the smell. That was it for me.

I converted to AGM's, specifically Lifeline's. I replaced them after 9 and a half years out of guilt at the beginning of a new season. And twice in the first few years due to unexpected issues they were drawn down to stone dead.

They are expensive, but the longevity combined with no maintenance by way of water or corrosion, and greatly reduced risk of leakage, I stick with AGM's in the boat and my truck. The RV still gets flooded 6 volts. Someday I'll probably make the jump to LIFEPO's.
 
keokie said:
So, I am interested in LIFEPO's, but the expense and complexity of setting them up properly has kept me out thus far.

I run 6 volts for the house bank. I have just had much better performance and longevity from them. I used to run old school flooded cells. I would get about 6 years out of them. I had to check water levels regularly and deal with moderate levels of corrosion on terminals.

One day I raised the engine hatch to find one boiled over. I new it immediately from the smell. That was it for me.

I converted to AGM's, specifically Lifeline's. I replaced them after 9 and a half years out of guilt at the beginning of a new season. And twice in the first few years due to unexpected issues they were drawn down to stone dead.

They are expensive, but the longevity combined with no maintenance by way of water or corrosion, and greatly reduced risk of leakage, I stick with AGM's in the boat and my truck. The RV still gets flooded 6 volts. Someday I'll probably make the jump to LIFEPO's.
Click to expand...
The PO put new batteries in when I bought my 380. I assumed they out the right batteries in it, no, they put starting batteries where it needed dual purpose. I struggled the first couple years with the house batteries while in the hook. I bought the agm from batteries plus. Finishing up my third summer of truly maint free batteries, no issues what so ever. They are not cheap, but have been fantastic.

https://www.batteriesplus.com/product-details/marine_rv/battery/x2power/sli31agmdpm
 
I am a fan of AGM batteries but to the OP.......I am not sure your battery charger will support them. While my colleagues expressed their preferences (flooded, agm and lithium) they didn't mention what charger you have and whether it would support them.

That is the real question. SR had a run on chargers that would cook flooded and agm batteries in less than two year. Battery charging has fundamentally changed in the last 20 years.
 
PlayDate said:
I am a fan of AGM batteries but to the OP.......I am not sure your battery charger will support them. While my colleagues expressed their preferences (flooded, agm and lithium) they didn't mention what charger you have and whether it would support them.

That is the real question. SR had a run on chargers that would cook flooded and agm batteries in less than two year. Battery charging has fundamentally changed in the last 20 years.
Click to expand...
My esteemed colleague is correct. I always assume everyone with my vintage boat has long replaced the original battery charger. Mine has been gone for almost 20 years. It was fantastic at cooking batteries. Even flooded cells.
 
I’m rolling up on 4 years with my Napa/Deka group 31 deep cycle conventional flooded. They still test beyond spec.

I check the water three or four times a year and top them off as needed.

I’m always either plugged in, or on the genset though so I never cycle them. The original 2007 guest charger has been kind to them.
 
I’ll probably get some flak for this but I replaced my three with AutoZone marine group 27’s in 21. One deep cycle for the house and two startings for the engines and genset. The port engine and genset share the same starting batt. I was working part time for them (AZ) and every quarter they offer 20% off to employees so sort of a no brainer. PO put in an isolator so the starting batteries never see the house load. I also installed this charger as well. Obviously it is on in port or on the genset.
The port motor has an 80amp alternator and charges it’s starting battery and the house when underway. House battery is good for all night long with fridge, cabin lights anchor lights, stereo and vacuflush. The house battery has been cycled down to 11 volts twice when the power went out at the Marina for an extended period before I made it down to run the genset. No issues so far. Even though they are “maintenance free” I still pry the plates off and check/top off the cells once a month. So far everything works great. The setup has been running since 09/21.
My.02
Jon
 

Attachments

  • ManualCM1_090831EN.pdf
    986.3 KB · Views: 55
Stray Current said:
I’m rolling up on 4 years with my Napa/Deka group 31 deep cycle conventional flooded. They still test beyond spec.

I check the water three or four times a year and top them off as needed.

I’m always either plugged in, or on the genset though so I never cycle them. The original 2007 guest charger has been kind to them.
Click to expand...
See, I make this comment on Friday, and then one of my batteries decided to exit the chat on me today
 
Stray Current said:
See, I make this comment on Friday, and then one of my batteries decided to exit the chat on me today
Click to expand...
Never fails, I’m sure since I commented mine will have turned themselves upside down and the charger will catch on fire.
Jon
 
GirlyGirl1999 said:
Never fails, I’m sure since I commented mine will have turned themselves upside down and the charger will catch on fire.
Jon
Click to expand...

That’s how life works, good old Murphy’s Law

I decided to go with the less expensive auto store house brand as well since I’ve been hemorrhaging cash into this boat this month. Super Start 31DCM from O’Reillys @ $145 a piece

Turns out they’re made by the same company that makes the batteries for Napa and have the same specifications. Deka/East Penn Mfg
IMG_2153.jpeg



Not super impressed with the NAPA batteries lifespan of 3.5 years at $230 a piece. I don’t think they’ve ever been cycled once because the boat is always either on the generator or shore power. for some reason I thought I installed them in 2019, but it was April 2020
IMG_2152.jpeg

.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,182
Messages
1,428,092
Members
61,090
Latest member
Kenovk
Back
Top