At the end of this month we mark 5 years of our original manufacturer installed battery bank (2 205AH 4D House Bank in parallel = 410AH) and 1 Starting battery. The starting battery is in great shape and has only been used about 4-5 times in the last five years and never really discharged. When sailing, the combinations of refrigerators, electronics, and electric winches burn about 20 amps. The house bank now supports about 4 hours before I get the low voltage warning. Equalizing did very little to increase capacity so I think I'm nearing end of life with the house bank.
Space permitting, I am considering replacing the 2 4Ds with 4 Trojan T-145 (2 pairs in serial arrayed in parallel).
Three questions:
1. Is the Trojan T-145 still the "Cadillac" of lead acid batteries or is there a better alternative to consider today? (I contemplated Lithium but I don't think I can cost-justify that jump)
2. The batteries are wired through a four position switch (Off/1/1+2/2) with the House Bank in position 2 and the Starting battery in position 1 (2 Batteries = 2 and 1 Battery = 1 to help remembering). We sail in position 2 but when the House Bank gets low, someone has to go down to the cabin and switch to 1 for engine starting lest the voltage drop restarts the chartplotter. Is there a way to have the batteries wired so that the House does the House, the Starter does the starting, but they can be combined in the rare event the starting battery fails and the alternator charges both banks when the engine is running?
3. Since the Starting Battery and the House Bank are isolated, should I consider replacing the starting battery when I replace the house batteries? As mentioned, the Starting Battery has shown no signs of wear.
Space permitting, I am considering replacing the 2 4Ds with 4 Trojan T-145 (2 pairs in serial arrayed in parallel).
Three questions:
1. Is the Trojan T-145 still the "Cadillac" of lead acid batteries or is there a better alternative to consider today? (I contemplated Lithium but I don't think I can cost-justify that jump)
2. The batteries are wired through a four position switch (Off/1/1+2/2) with the House Bank in position 2 and the Starting battery in position 1 (2 Batteries = 2 and 1 Battery = 1 to help remembering). We sail in position 2 but when the House Bank gets low, someone has to go down to the cabin and switch to 1 for engine starting lest the voltage drop restarts the chartplotter. Is there a way to have the batteries wired so that the House does the House, the Starter does the starting, but they can be combined in the rare event the starting battery fails and the alternator charges both banks when the engine is running?
3. Since the Starting Battery and the House Bank are isolated, should I consider replacing the starting battery when I replace the house batteries? As mentioned, the Starting Battery has shown no signs of wear.
