Replacing flooded batteries with gel

[jrpla]

Replacing flooded batteries with gel

Is time to replace my batteries, I was thinking in changing my 2 trojan T105 flooded batteries with 2 group 31 gels,

My consumption is the regular stuff plus 1 small refrigerator, I have a trucharge battery charger ready for gel batteries and 75 wats of solar panels.

any recomendations, should I keep buying regular flooded batteries?

Thanks;

 

[RichH]

Disadvantages: Gels need precise charging, cannot withstand full discharge, cannot withstand 'overcharging', etc. etc. If you want 'long life', it almost absolutely requires the usage of a 'smart' regulator. Cannot be 'equalized'. Expen$ive

Advantages: Sealed - no 'battery box' needed, wont discharge when stored / not used. Will typically last longer than other battery types if you monitor/charge them carefully.

My personal preference is gels ... but there is a steep learning curve if you want 'long life' out of them.

 

[Stu Jackson]

There's been sooo much written about different battery types

that it's unreal.

Here's one: http://www.c34.org/projects/projects-battery-selection.html

Your boat, your choice, but for the life of me I can't see any reason to not keep the best bang for the bucks in the golf carts.

What are you gaining?

And don't forget, if you have an alternator that charges your bank, then you need to change the settings on the regulator. if you don't have an external regulator on your alternator, then you're seriously undercharging whatever batteries you have.

 

[zeehag]

Replacing flooded batteries with gel

Is time to replace my batteries, I was thinking in changing my 2 trojan T105 flooded batteries with 2 group 31 gels,

My consumption is the regular stuff plus 1 small refrigerator, I have a trucharge battery charger ready for gel batteries and 75 wats of solar panels.

any recomendations, should I keep buying regular flooded batteries?

Thanks;

i am glad is not my money--i have watched the most anal man i know -- (and every one else i know who has gel batteries)--replace them every 3 yrs because he doesnt trust wet cell batteries of any kind---and the golf cart ones last 6-8 yrs!!!!!! wow!!!!!--the other guys were convinced by him to get these then decided on their own to return to golf cart batts because of ther longevity factor...is incredible what some men consider a good investment LOL.( sorry--i shoulda just sed---"longevity factor!!")

 

[Benny]

Flooded batteries are the current standart. Alternators, battery chargers, and wind and solar charge controllers are usually set to their voltage requirements. Replacemnts are usually available even in the most remote places with a simple drop in.

 

[Tom Spohn]

Recommend you consider using two 6 volt golfcart batteries wired in series to replace the two T105s.
1. A GC2 duo will give you 235 amps. rather than two 31s at 230 amps.
2. Golfcart batteries stand deep discharges better than other batteries due to thicker plates, etc.
3. Weight difference is about 4 lbs per battery--the 6 volt is heavier.

http://www.dynobattery.com/prod01.htm

 

[mitiempo]

How long did the T105 batteries last? They are among the longest lasting batteries available and very affordable. They will withstand more cycles to 50% discharge than even any other Trojan battery. Definitely the best bang for the buck for a few minutes a month maintenance. Below are two charts from Trojan showing in the right column cycles that they sustained in testing.
Brian

 

[zeehag]

How long did the T105 batteries last? They are among the longest lasting batteries available and very affordable. They will withstand more cycles to 50% discharge than even any other Trojan battery. Definitely the best bang for the buck for a few minutes a month maintenance. Below are two charts from Trojan showing in the right column cycles that they sustained in testing.
Brian

in my ericson, the 4 i have are 6 yrs old and still going strong--my formosa has 5 yr old ones still strong....

 

[mitiempo]

zeehag - that is pretty normal from people I've talked to. Trojan rates T105 at 754 cycles while with only a couple of exceptions their 12 volts average less than 300 cycles - and all Trojans are pretty good batteries.
Brian

 

[zeehag]

zeehag - that is pretty normal from people I've talked to. Trojan rates T105 at 754 cycles while with only a couple of exceptions their 12 volts average less than 300 cycles - and all Trojans are pretty good batteries.
Brian

i am hoping to get 8 yrs out of each set!!!!!! am praying to the electrical gods of the sea!!!!

 

[sailaway78]

Untill

The only true advantage of the gel batteries, or the agm's, is that no maint. is required. What is required is much more precise charging, and much less abuse. In addition to the added cost of the batteries, you are also going to have to deal with the charging rate of your on board charger, you alternator output, and whatever solar/wind you have on board. The T-105's are very inexpensive when compared to the gels, will withstand much more abuse, are much less critical about charging voltages. As far as how long they will last, depends on who you talk to. I am certainly convinced that the gels will not save you money in the long run. They will not outlast wet cells enough to overcome the price difference.

 

[jrpla]

Thanks;

I am going to stay with golf batteries !!

the other doubt I have now is shoud I buy Trojan or golf car batteries from Sams or Cotsco.

Thanks!!

 

[zeehag]

Thanks;

I am going to stay with golf batteries !!

the other doubt I have now is shoud I buy Trojan or golf car batteries from Sams or Cotsco.

Thanks!!

try to find online--trojan batteries lol--gooodluck---

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Many of the discount stores sell what is called re-stenciled batteries meaning it's not always clear who makes them, how old they are and how long they have been on the shelf or warehouse. I just bought 4 Johnson control golf cart batteries at Sam's Club for $60 ea. knowing they were not as good as the better constructed Trojan 125's which I was replacing but then I seldom anchor and don't need the quality or longevity of the more expensive ones.
It's all about what quality you need for your purpose.

 

[Scott]

Over the past twelve years or so on this site, there have numerous posts regarding batteries - eg. wet v. gel; 6v V 12 v, etc. I've benn using deep cycle marine (Diehard) for over 20 years. In that time, both banks have been replaced 4 times at a cost of about $540. Full disclosure - we only use them for #1, starting; #2 for house. Our house battery is used for stereo & lighting. When underway, both are used for autohelm (rarely) running lights, etc. While I can certainly appreciate those along the coast, particularly in the northeast, who need radar, GPS, SSB, and computer access - in the the northern, middle Chesapeake these are not necessary. Would love to have radar, but have never been in a fog with less than about 1/8 mile visibilty. Kinda rely on depth sounder, bouys, etc. to make sure I am not near any shipping channels. Having limited sailing experience off Fajardo, Culebra, and the Carribean in general, without experiencing much fog and need for alot of electronics whats the problem? Cheaper in this case is better.

 

[Steve Dion]

I would recommend Gel batteries. My experience with them has been excellent. I had WM Gel's on my H'31 and got 10.5 years on a set. When I got my Hunter Vision 36 I replaced the batteries with Gels again.