I am getting ready to replace the batteries on my Catalina, Any advice on where to get a deal or just wait for a sale at the local boating store? How do you feel about the more expensive glass mat batteries or, better yet,the even more expensive gel batteries? thanks for your thoughts, jack
batteries
- Thread starter Jack2438
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Go with AGM
AGM "Absorbed Glass Mat" are definitely the way to go. No maintenance, cannot overcharge, you can drill a hole in them and they still work, generally speaking better warranty, generally lighter (very important if building a battery bank for a inverter, and in my opinion better life expectency. This is all based on my experience with power boats and 12V equipment. I am on this forum trying to learn more about sailboats, as I am going to be purchasing one soon. I still plan to keep my fishing boat so I guess I am going to be ridiculed from both sides ha ha. Anybody have a reason why AGM batteries would not be good on a sailboat. Should be a good debate.
AGM "Absorbed Glass Mat" are definitely the way to go. No maintenance, cannot overcharge, you can drill a hole in them and they still work, generally speaking better warranty, generally lighter (very important if building a battery bank for a inverter, and in my opinion better life expectency. This is all based on my experience with power boats and 12V equipment. I am on this forum trying to learn more about sailboats, as I am going to be purchasing one soon. I still plan to keep my fishing boat so I guess I am going to be ridiculed from both sides ha ha. Anybody have a reason why AGM batteries would not be good on a sailboat. Should be a good debate.
How do you treat your batteries?
Jack, It makes a difference how you treat your batteries. You need to be very watchfull of gelcells so that you don't boil them out. At the cost of gelcells, they need to out last the lead acid by the same %age that you are paying for them or you are throwing away money. I still think that for $/amp/life of the battery.... the lead acid can't be beat. I will wait for more response to make further comment. r.w.landau
Jack, It makes a difference how you treat your batteries. You need to be very watchfull of gelcells so that you don't boil them out. At the cost of gelcells, they need to out last the lead acid by the same %age that you are paying for them or you are throwing away money. I still think that for $/amp/life of the battery.... the lead acid can't be beat. I will wait for more response to make further comment. r.w.landau
Trojan T-105
I just installed two of these 6-volt golf cart batteries in series. 230 amp hours for $110.00 They work fine. I have a manual start outboard, so not sure how they would do for engine starting.
I just installed two of these 6-volt golf cart batteries in series. 230 amp hours for $110.00 They work fine. I have a manual start outboard, so not sure how they would do for engine starting.
Trojan T125's
T-125's have significantly more amps than 105's but fit in the same place. I have had mine for two years. The first four six-volts I had were generic, and lasted but three years. I have equalized the T-125's once. They are excellent batteries, but I may go to Trojan AGM's next round depending on my experience and price. My boat runs refrig and freezer compressors 24/7/365 and we use the boat a lot. Rick D.
T-125's have significantly more amps than 105's but fit in the same place. I have had mine for two years. The first four six-volts I had were generic, and lasted but three years. I have equalized the T-125's once. They are excellent batteries, but I may go to Trojan AGM's next round depending on my experience and price. My boat runs refrig and freezer compressors 24/7/365 and we use the boat a lot. Rick D.
Jason you can overcharge an AGM battery
and I'm not so sure I would drill a hole in one
, but I bet it'll work for a little while. But I agree AGM's have a lot of advantages. Being low cost is not one of them Here is a good link to some very good battery info http://www.windsun.com/Batteries/Battery_FAQ.htm
and I'm not so sure I would drill a hole in one
, but I bet it'll work for a little while. But I agree AGM's have a lot of advantages. Being low cost is not one of them Here is a good link to some very good battery info http://www.windsun.com/Batteries/Battery_FAQ.htm- Status