How long should I expect my batteries to last? I bought my 1997 H26 July of 2000. It sat for a winter at a broker, outside in Minnesota, but was an Iowa boat the first three years of it's life. So for sure, the batteries froze over one winter. I have shore power with a charger. The indicator light shows green, which is supposed to indicate that the batteries are good to go. I have an Everstart starting bat. and two marine house bateries from Wal-Mart. I use the starter when I'm hooked to shore power, but after sailing, and only using the stereo and running lights, I don't have enough power to start the motor again. How often are others replacing batteries, and do you figure the frozen year did them in? Thanks, Tom s/v ChrisannaII
- Status
Batteries a probably gone. Dealer around me indicate 2-3 years is about all to expect, unless you are religious about winter maintenance. You might need to look further problems. The purpose of a separate start and house battery bank or banks is to prevent the start battery from discharging when under sail. My H410 has one start and 2 banks 6volt golf cart batteries. The start battery runs the starter and bilge pump, while the house banks power everything else. There's an isolator between the start and house banks so in the event I discharge the start battery for some reason, and the house banks have charge, they'll parrallel the start battery to start the engine. Hope this helps. Bryce H410 S/V Spellbinder
Can't imagine that a frozen battery is much good.
Tom: I can't imagine that a frozen battery is going to have much more than a surface charge. Once you start the engine, that is probably dropping the voltage and you end up with a dead battery. The charger is the only thing that is even keeping it alive. I'd have to agree with Bryce that 2-3 years is probably going to be it. As you know you should keep these at home in the basement/garage or someplace that they are not going to freeze. Also keep them up off of the concrete. Keep them charged up every 2-3 weeks. Be sure not to let them dry out and you can get a better life out of them.
Tom: I can't imagine that a frozen battery is going to have much more than a surface charge. Once you start the engine, that is probably dropping the voltage and you end up with a dead battery. The charger is the only thing that is even keeping it alive. I'd have to agree with Bryce that 2-3 years is probably going to be it. As you know you should keep these at home in the basement/garage or someplace that they are not going to freeze. Also keep them up off of the concrete. Keep them charged up every 2-3 weeks. Be sure not to let them dry out and you can get a better life out of them.
Batteries don't freeze
Batteries do not freeze unless they are taken down to VERY low temperatures in a state of extreme discharge. If your battery had frozen you would be certain of it because the case would be cracked open and the remainder of the acid would be swirling around in your bilge. What you have is sulfation of the plates inside the battery which severely reduces its capacity. Sulfation is caused by sitting for long periods of inactivity at low charge levels. Take my word for it. I've seen it hundreds of times. If you don't believe me, cut your battery apart. You won't believe the crust you'll see built up inside there. There is no particular reason to remove the batteries from the boat over the winter if there is power available for a charger to keep them "topped up". Do you remove the battery from your car each night during the winter? I don't know anyone who does, and all those millions of car batteries seem to survive OK. The difference is activity and charging. You've got a great boat; pony up the bucks and give it some decent batteries for your own peace of mind and safety.
Batteries do not freeze unless they are taken down to VERY low temperatures in a state of extreme discharge. If your battery had frozen you would be certain of it because the case would be cracked open and the remainder of the acid would be swirling around in your bilge. What you have is sulfation of the plates inside the battery which severely reduces its capacity. Sulfation is caused by sitting for long periods of inactivity at low charge levels. Take my word for it. I've seen it hundreds of times. If you don't believe me, cut your battery apart. You won't believe the crust you'll see built up inside there. There is no particular reason to remove the batteries from the boat over the winter if there is power available for a charger to keep them "topped up". Do you remove the battery from your car each night during the winter? I don't know anyone who does, and all those millions of car batteries seem to survive OK. The difference is activity and charging. You've got a great boat; pony up the bucks and give it some decent batteries for your own peace of mind and safety.
Pull the battieries
and take them to a car electronic shop. I thought my batteries were almost dead once. Took them to the car electronic shop and they said they were in great shape. Found out I had a short in my electrical system. Good Luck!!!
and take them to a car electronic shop. I thought my batteries were almost dead once. Took them to the car electronic shop and they said they were in great shape. Found out I had a short in my electrical system. Good Luck!!!
Tom, Sam knows his stuff about batteries.
Don't let the idea of the batteries freezing misdirect you when fixing this problem. Have your batteries load checked and there state of condition verified by a good shop not trying to sell you a new battery. Then make sure you have a good system that seperates the house from the starting battery. Finally measure the amount of charge your outboard or/and shore power charger puts into your batteries. Also make sure this charge is actually getting there. Gel, AGM, or flooded batteries require different types of chargers or rates of charge. The West Marine sales catalog has a very good explaniation of each type of battery and charger needed for these specific problems. Do it right and you'll be very happy this concern is removed from your enjoyment of your boat. Ray
Don't let the idea of the batteries freezing misdirect you when fixing this problem. Have your batteries load checked and there state of condition verified by a good shop not trying to sell you a new battery. Then make sure you have a good system that seperates the house from the starting battery. Finally measure the amount of charge your outboard or/and shore power charger puts into your batteries. Also make sure this charge is actually getting there. Gel, AGM, or flooded batteries require different types of chargers or rates of charge. The West Marine sales catalog has a very good explaniation of each type of battery and charger needed for these specific problems. Do it right and you'll be very happy this concern is removed from your enjoyment of your boat. Ray
three years
was just discussing this yesterday over at the yc. all the racers seemed to think that batteries lasted 5-6 years, and the cruisers seemed happy to get three years out of their batteries. i guess it depends on how much anchoring out you do.
was just discussing this yesterday over at the yc. all the racers seemed to think that batteries lasted 5-6 years, and the cruisers seemed happy to get three years out of their batteries. i guess it depends on how much anchoring out you do.
- Status