Battery Needs

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Gilbert

I have an ODay 22 and need to buy battery to run lights for overnights on the water. How many amps do I need? My wife and I have just started sailing and love our 22ft '82.
 
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Don Evans

Small Deep Cycle Should Suffice

Its not going to get much draw down, but it may not be able to be charged on a regular basis either, so if it does get drawn down (no less than 50% of its AmpHr rating), its not going to hurt the battery (car batts don't like to be flattened too many times). For lights, radio, and perhaps a depth or some other electronic, I should think a 100 amp/hr battery should do. Add up the amps to power each appliance times the number of hours of use, double the value so you can cover off a weekend before recharge and thats your battery size. E.g. 4amps total, over a 12 hour period equals 48 AH, so buy a 100 AH battery. Make sense? You have to consider the recharge too. How are you going to keep a charge. Trickle charge on a solar charger through the week? Take it home on Sunday? I'd invest in a 3 stage charger that takes the batt through 3 distinctive charge cycles, too prolong the batts health. Don
 
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Justin - O'day Owners' Web

Like Don says but...

Don's right on about how to determine your electrical needs, but I'd point out one thing. Even the very best deep cycle batteries don't like to be drawn down below fifty percent. So, if possible, double you total needs, or come as close a possible. In practical terms this means if a 100ah group 24 would do it, I'd get a 150ah group 27. Its a bit heavier and little bigger, but it'll last much longer. I know its not always possible to stay above half charge, I go below regularly, but the farther from empty you stay, the healthier your battery will be. Justin - O'day Owners' Web
 
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