replacing batterys

J

jc27

New Member
Mar 14, 2008
56
Boston, MA
Boat Info
370 Sundancer 1996
Engines
Twin 454 mercrusier v drives
New member I need to replace my batteries I have 4 group 27 batteries now for(2 motors 1 gen and 1 house) I am thinking of changing to 3 group 29 for motors and gen and 1 4d batterie for house any thoughts interstate thinks it will help alot for capacity while on hook . Batteries are tied together thank you love the site.
 
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I went to deep cycle batteries by Optima. http://www.1st-optima-batteries.com/ Unlike gel, they are lead-acid so your current charger should work. They are great for time on the hook, are maintenance free (for real), and can last for 6 years.
 
hampton... they are not Lead Acid. They are Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) and require charging which is FAR different from lead acid.

Optima is one of the best battery brands out there... but have a look at Die-Hard Platinum Marine; they are even better with capacity. Both are AGM batteries.
 
jc27 said:
I have 4 group 27 batterys in my 1996 370 (2 motors 1 generator and 1house) I was thinking of changing them to 3 group 29 and 1 4d marine batterys the 4d being my house battery all are tied in together any thoughts to me doing this will this help
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Welcome to the site.

What are the problems you are trying resolve?

If you need more amp hours a 4d will give it to you. Not sure why you would need to change the G27 cranking batteries though?

I hope you mean they are tied together for charging and can be isolated by a battery selector switch.
 
"The unique engineering concept of the OPTIMA battery uses long thin layers of lead wound into tight spiral cells"

The glass matt refers to the physical make up. They have lead, and they have acid. Absorbent glass mat (AGM) is a class of VRLA lead-acid battery in which the electrolyte is absorbed into a fiberglass mat. The plates in an AGM battery may be flat like wetcell lead-acid battery, or they may be wound in a tight spiral. Their unique (for lead acid chemistries) construction also allows for the lead in their plates to be purer as they no longer need to support their own weight as in traditional cells. Their internal resistance is lower than traditional cells due to close plate proximity and the pure lead plates have lower resistivity, they handle higher temperatures better, and self discharge more slowly.

A gel battery (also known as a "gel cell") is a rechargeable valve regulated lead-acid battery with a gelified electrolyte. Unlike a traditional wet-cell lead-acid battery, these batteries do not need to be kept upright (though they cannot be charged inverted). In addition, gel batteries virtually eliminate the electrolyte evaporation, spillage (and subsequent corrosion issues) common to the wet-cell battery, and boast greater resistance to extreme temperatures, shock, and vibration. As a result, they are primarily used in automobiles, boats, aircraft, and other motorized vehicles. These batteries are often colloquially referred to as sealed lead-acid (SLA) batteries due to their non-leaking containers, but they are not completely sealed; the valve regulation system allows for gas to be expelled. Chemically they are the same as wet (non sealed) batteries except that the antimony in the lead plates is replaced by calcium. This preserves the mechanical characteristics but renders the construction far less prone to gassing. The battery type is often referred to as a Lead-Calcium battery.
 
Hampton said:
"The unique engineering concept of the OPTIMA battery uses long thin layers of lead wound into tight spiral cells"

The glass mat refers to the physical make up. They have lead, and they have acid. Absorbent glass mat (AGM) is a class of VRLA lead-acid battery in which the electrolyte is absorbed into a fiberglass mat. The plates in an AGM battery may be flat like wet cell lead-acid battery, or they may be wound in a tight spiral. Their unique (for lead acid chemistry's) construction also allows for the lead in their plates to be purer as they no longer need to support their own weight as in traditional cells. Their internal resistance is lower than traditional cells due to close plate proximity and the pure lead plates have lower resistivity, they handle higher temperatures better, and self discharge more slowly.

A gel battery (also known as a "gel cell") is a rechargeable valve regulated lead-acid battery with a gelified electrolyte. Unlike a traditional wet-cell lead-acid battery, these batteries do not need to be kept upright (though they cannot be charged inverted). In addition, gel batteries virtually eliminate the electrolyte evaporation, spillage (and subsequent corrosion issues) common to the wet-cell battery, and boast greater resistance to extreme temperatures, shock, and vibration. As a result, they are primarily used in automobiles, boats, aircraft, and other motorized vehicles. These batteries are often colloquially referred to as sealed lead-acid (SLA) batteries due to their non-leaking containers, but they are not completely sealed; the valve regulation system allows for gas to be expelled. Chemically they are the same as wet (non sealed) batteries except that the antimony in the lead plates is replaced by calcium. This preserves the mechanical characteristics but renders the construction far less prone to gassing. The battery type is often referred to as a Lead-Calcium battery.
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You make a good point, but that point also says Gel batteries are lead acid as well (so we both failed in usage of correct terminology... it happens). I was pointing out that flooded cell, gel and AGM batteries all require different types of charging; what worked for a flooded battery will not work for AGM and Gel.
 
You make a good point, but that point also says Gel batteries are lead acid as well (so we both failed in usage of correct terminology... it happens). I was pointing out that flooded cell, gel and AGM batteries all require different types of charging; what worked for a flooded battery will not work for AGM and Gel.
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i to am looking for new batterys but am confused as to above coment on charging.


[FONT=Arial,Helvetica]What kind of charger do I need for an Optima?

Can OPTIMA batteries be charged with a solar charger or trickle charger?

[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica][SIZE=-1]Optima batteries do not require any special type of charger.
[/SIZE][SIZE=-1]
If your Optima battery will sit unused for extended periods of time, a maintenance charger can be used to keep it fully charged. (Sitting for extended periods in a discharged state will degrade the performance and shorten the life of any battery.)

You can monitor the voltage state of your batteries during or after use by installing a volt meter available at any auto or marine parts supply house. [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica][SIZE=-1]1st OPTIMA Battery Sales ships OPTIMA batteries to the U.S. 48 states with Free Shipping. [/SIZE][/FONT]
i just got this from the optima sight and as stated above needs no differnt charging
before spending on optima or the di hard,$250, i what to make sure i understand what every one is talking about.
 
Different types of batteries can require different types of charging. Almost all high quality battery chargers/maintainers will have a selection for Flooded, Gel or AGM batteries. This is because the bulk absorption rate is different for each type of battery. However, most inexpensive chargers don't have the capability to exceed a battery's rate of charge. (which is why Optima batteries don't require a "special" kind of charger; universal charger will work)

Some time ago, I had to call optima and ask about how to set-up my charger... they simply stated that the AGM selection will charge/maintain the battery perfectly. So I run with the AGM setting as they advised.

Check the battery's specs against your charger's specs (the battery has specs for charging and your charger should have specs for it's out-put; look on the websites for each). So long as your charger doesn't exceed the max for the battery you're fine with what you have. But if you should want to upgrade, I've had great experience with Xantrex... I have the truecharge 20 in my boat and the XC1524 maintains two banks (bank 1- 2 flooded batteries, bank 2- 2 AGM batteries) of batteries in the armored vehicle at work. Nice thing about the XC series of chargers is you can hook up a shunt to your "house" bank that will monitor the useage of the battery and account for how much current was drawn when it starts it's charging cycle... as well as the battery temp. Then you can install a second battery temp sensor for bank 2 (can charge up to 3 banks... but the third bank doesn't have the ability to install a battery temp sensor)
 
thanks; i talked to the fellow that owned the boat before me and he just used the refrigerator when camping. this is all i need to. he said he just started the engine and ran it each day and had no problems. this will work for us and will boat will be dry stored when not in use so will hardley ever be pluged into shore power to use inverter to charge batterys. age of our boat all most assures the inverter isnt set up with the agm setting.
 
I just want to clarify... chances are, a universal type charger will charge AGM batteries just fine, but if it's specifically for FLOODED batteries, you'll want to check it's specs against the charge specs for whatever battery you choose. Hopefully it will fill the bill for either type.
 
thanks this helps a lot
now i have to decide whether to go with optima or di hard
optima is a little cheaper but di hard has better warranty
 
get a look at the reserve capacity and AH rating between the two as well.

My concern with the diehard was it not being able to withstand vibration as well as the Optima (optima spiral cell vs diehard plates)... well, they solved that with some sort of internal bracing for the plates. (and so far, my 13 ton vibrator of an armored vehicle has yet to win against the diehard's)

I will tell you this, yellow top and blue top batteries will last you a good long while no matter how you use them... red top... when they say it's a starting battery, they mean it; discharge that little guy and you can kiss it good-bye. I wouldn't be overly concerned with the warranty difference, but it's like an insurance policy... better to have and not need than need and not have!

Consumer reports did a thing on batteries recently... Diehard took first with optima right behind it. I know this stuff isn't helping you decide... sorry!!
 
After months of research, I determined, very simply:

Standard Lead Acid batteries require the most power for charge and trickle charge.
AGM require less for both, but are compatible with standard chargers.
Gel batteries require the least, and a standard charger will likely damage them.
 
As far as cranking amps go, I feel that as long as you have enough battery power in your boat (my 340 has 4, and they can be linked), and as long as your batteries are healthy, you shouldn't need excess "cranking" power. So, I opted for long-lasting batteries that are easy to keep healthy. AGM deep discharge batteries are truly Mx free, last a long time (6 years), and are not damaged very easily. They are outstanding for powering accessories on the hook for long periods of time, and don't require you to change your charger out (in most, if not all cases).

I would rather add an additional deep-discharge battery than purchase a battery designed for cranking power that I'm likely to ruin and have to replace anyway.

Do not mix your batteries. If they are on the same charger, keep them the same type and age.
 
Exception to the rule is if the charger has settings for each bank (which would mean it charges each bank independently)... but that's pretty obvious. (most multi-bank chargers I've seen you can set what types of batteries are used in each bank)
 
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