Battery Question

[Finally Free]

We have a 1995, 42 Passage. I am pretty sure I am going to need to replace the batteries. It has the two 8D in what I think is the standard enclosures. I am leaning toward getting four or six 6 volts but am not sure what the height is in the battery boxes or what will fit. Since I am 2000 miles from the boat, I thought I would just post and see if any other owners can tell me and also if you have gone to 6 volts, was there much modification needed and what did you go with.
Thanks,
Tom

 

[Marc14857]

Not sure about the dimensions on your boat but height was a problem on my H44 and the 6 volt Trojans would not fit. I ended up getting (4) 6 volt Crown batteries same amphr ratings, and were rated well by Maine Sail. They were Shorter than the Trojans and fit in the existing battery boxes but I did add a wood 1x 2 to each box as the crowns were a bit narrower than the 8Ds I replaced and I did not want them shifting around. Starting our 3rd season with the Crowns and so far so good.

 

[Finally Free]

Thanks, The height was the dimension I was most concerned about since the Trojan T 105 RE are a bit taller than my 8D's.

 

[artboas]

First of all...

Thanks, The height was the dimension I was most concerned about since the Trojan T 105 RE are a bit taller than my 8D's.

Definitely 6v golf carts. It is the cheapest, longest lasting, most reliable.
The worst thing people say is, " you have to add water"
Big deal. I think I can handle that.

BUT... Go but water miser batter caps, and add a lot less.
I bought them for my 8 crowns last year. Fabulous!
Highly reccomend

 

[Finally Free]

Yep the batteries are dead

Well I was at the boat last weekend and it is official. My 8d batteries are dead.
After doing some research I am thinking of going with a crown renewable battery. Looking at 6 of their 12 volt deep cycles, 12CRP130, (because that is what I can fit in the boxes) which will give me a 570 AH bank. Interstingly, the ah/pounds lead is turns out to be real close to the Trojan T-105 and the $/AH is actually less than the trojans. Going with Trojans would only give me 450 AH and would mean I woul dneed to modify the height of the boxes.

 

[JWC]

Sounds like a good solution but bear in mind lead acid batteries need to be vented in case they gas. Don't know where yours are, there is an ebook at www.smashwords.com Marine Electrics Made Simple or How to Keep the Batteries Charged that has a lot of information on battery selection and uses.