Batteries for Hunter 33

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May 24, 2011
81
Marlow Hunter 40 Oriental, NC
I use two batteries on my Hunter 33 and it is time to replace them. I have been using Group 27 Deep Cycle batterries (West Marine) and have been reasonably satisfied. Is the deep cycle a good choice (I use for a combination of house battery and starting), and does anyone have a recommendation for a brand and/or particular battery for this purpose?
 
Jun 2, 2011
347
Hunter H33 Port Credit Harbour, ON.
My 2006 H33 came with Trojan group 31 deep cycle. I replaced them this year with the same. They are expensive options but they seem to do a good job. I did some load testing on the old ones and I think that one was at about 75% and one was about 80%. Gave them to a buddy so I will see how long they would have lasted.
 
Jan 4, 2006
7,288
Hunter 310 West Vancouver, B.C.
The Big Question Is..................

..................... how many years of reasonable performance are you getting out of your batteries ?

I installed two Trojan SCS200's back in spring of 2005 and they're still going strong as far as I can see. Should perform a load test this year to put some numbers to the picture, but for now, they've got at least another year left in them.

Has anyone used a different brand (cheaper) which gives comparable life expectancy ?
 
May 24, 2004
7,175
CC 30 South Florida
Stick with deep cycles as they are designed to provide a longer life under deep discharge cycles. They easily start an auxiliary engine and can be sued for house duties.
 
Sep 20, 2006
2,952
Hunter 33 Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada
I have 2 deep cycle and use them to run the electrical on board as well as start the engine. I do also have a spare battery for emergency use if I run down the other 2, but also anchor out every weekend. So yes stick with the deep cycle.
 
May 24, 2004
470
Hunter 33.5 Portsmouth, RI
A Yanmar Engine dealer once told me that Deep Cycle batteries were very adequate to use as starting batteries. I have Die Hard Marine Deep Cycle batteries that went in May-2006 and seem perfectly good for another season at least. I always top off them with distilled water twice a season (mid and end) and put a long trickle charge (from a 3 stage battery charger) at the end of the season, at layup, and again in the spring at commisoning. I would use the Sears Die Hard Marine batteries again. About $90 to $100 each.
 
Aug 2, 2009
651
Catalina 315 Muskegon
Definitely deep cycle. Also suggest you stick with conventional lead acid batteries, and stay away from gel and/or AGM. Not that they're bad, but conventional's likely better for you. Stay away from "no maintenance". You want to be able to maintain them by adding distilled water as needed.

A pair of Group 27's is fine, but may not be ideal, as you have no backup battery for starting. Another group 27 or group 24 starting battery, not deep cycle, would be nice insurance. Or, install a Victron battery monitor (search this site for much info). Knowing the percentage of charge you truly have left on your single bank would be nice.

A better setup still, would be a group 24 for starting backup, and all your house and regular starting needs provided for by a pair of 6v golf cart batteries wired for 12v (with a Victron monitor on them). I just did this setup on my Catalina 309.

But, I get that you're keeping it simple, so yes, the pair of deep cycle 27s will do the job without any changes required.

Interstates are OK.

As I upgraded my batteries, I found that the 40 buck membership fee at Sam's club more than paid for itself on my purchase of the batteries for my setup. Their batteries are branded as Duracells, and are actually made by Eastern Penn, which is a good maker.
 
Apr 15, 2009
302
C&C 30 Annapolis
Some of the Interstates are good some not so hot. I'd avoid any of the Exide batteries.
Hard to go wrong with the Trojans.
 
Oct 14, 2005
2,191
1983 Hunter H34 North East, MD
Jim...

I have been using two of the WM dual purpose #27 batteries with great luck for a number of years. With careful maintenance and removal over the winter, I can get typically 5 years of life out of them. One year only got one season due to a dead cell issue, which WM replaced without hassle. One season tried an Interstate dual purpose but only got 2 season out of it--wouldn't hold a charge in 3rd season.
 
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