Automatic wet-cell battery break-in?

jviss

jviss

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Feb 5, 2004
7,089
Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA
Sorry if this is covered in another thread; I searched and couldn't find anything.

Is there available, or has anyone built an automatic break-in device for flooded deep cycle batteries?

I'd like to cycle my new ones three or more times before installing them. Doing it manually seems kind of fussy, and requires careful monitoring.

For four 75AH Group 24 batteries, done individually, I'm assuming I'll need four 3.5Ω 50W resistors, four battery tender-like chargers, relays, voltage sense circuits...and I could Frankenstein something together.

Thoughts?
 
Don S/V ILLusion

Don S/V ILLusion

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Sep 25, 2008
7,435
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
You are making a trivial concern into a major project. Just go out and use the boat/batteries and don't get too caught up in some of the academic discussions of batteries. Hook them up, charge them properly, equalize them as recommended by the manufacturer and they will last for years.

One note - 4 group 24 75 AH batteries????? Why?
 
Don S/V ILLusion

Don S/V ILLusion

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Sep 25, 2008
7,435
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
jviss said:
That's what fits. The 27's are too long for the spaces mine are in, and golf car batts are too tall.

Open to suggestions.

jv
Click to expand
The reason I asked is a friend has 4 golf carts for his house bank but I never paid much attention to where. Hope other 36 owners will chime in for you
 
jviss

jviss

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Feb 5, 2004
7,089
Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA
I had a friend with a 1983 C36; mine's an '84, same thing. He put golf car batts in, and it resulted in this awful abortion of a mod to the aft starboard seat, because they were too tall.

That said, I'd rather just get 24's than relocate batteries, even if there was a good spot. It would involve fabricating boxes and hold-downs, re-cabling, etc.
 
B

Benny17441

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May 24, 2004
7,173
CC 30 South Florida
Break them in as you use them. After two or three deep cycles they will be ready to accept maximum charge. Batteries have a finite number of cycles in their life. No sense in throwing away cycles that you could be using. Keep them charged and maintain the electrolyte level and you will get a few years service out of them. From a purchase price and maintenace standpoint I would rather have 2 group 31s than 4 group 24s. There must be a place in a Cat 36 to accomodate them.
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

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Feb 26, 2004
23,047
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
The C36 Forum and website has many discussions of locating batteries on your boat. A friend has six golf carts just in front of his galley.

You can just use them, and expect poor performance the first few times out, or do this:

Breaking in New Wet Cell Batteries: http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,6353.0.html
 
Johnb

Johnb

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Jan 22, 2008
1,461
Hunter 37-cutter Richmond CA
If you really had a reason to flatten batteries use an automobile head light bulb. 30 to 60 watt resistors are hard to come by.
 
G

Graycruiser

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Jun 7, 2004
36
Catalina 320 Middle River, MD
I have a device I made specifically for this purpose. It is a single large resistor mounted on a massive heat sink with a switch. I think it represents a 5A load similar to running a refer. Based on you battery, you can calculate how long to run it before recharging. I no longer use it. If interested call me 410-821-8246
 
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