Battery recommendations

Clark · Dec 30, 2008

As I recall, several people here have reported excellent results using Sam's Club - type golf cart batteries. Similar longevity at a reduced price. I have no direct experience so TIFWIW.

newly anonymous · Dec 30, 2008

you got SEVEN YEARS out of your existing bank...

...and now you're wondering what to replace them with?

Goodnesss, if I could even get 5 years out of a bank, I'd replace it with the same thing in a heartbeat, especially of they were the least expensive option.

Happy New Year, Don!

sailingdog · Dec 30, 2008

If they're working for you...why change anything at all. Get another set of T105's and be done with it.

windward54 · Dec 30, 2008

Hey Don, I've used US Battery 2200's for my house bank and got similar results. My last set lasted almost 8 years, and all I did was make sure the water was were it was supposed to be monthly. I thought about going to AGM's or gel, but the cost drove me back to the 6 volt batteries. Sounds like the last set worked so why fix something that ain't broke.

Rick D · Dec 30, 2008

My Thought Process

When I first got the boat and had it recommissioned, I had a Heart Freedom 2000 inverter, 100 amp Balmar and external regulator installed with two banks of six volt generic batteries. The batteries lasted barely three years, limping along the last year. I put in Trojan 125's. They lasted between four and five years, the last being pretty weak. I decided that I would try Sam's Club this time around after being shocked at the replacement cost price increase. I figured I would rather try it and if I had to replace them sooner, I would rather have fresher batteries anyway and the fewer amps reserve would be more than made up by them being fresher. Well, so far so good. After two years, I decided I didn't like running the refrig and freezer 24/7 through the big house bank and split them off into their own bank, and adding a second bank consisting of one (cheap) deep cycle group 24 deep cycle 12 volt. Now, I leave it on that battery at the dock figuring it will be cheaper to replace once every year ot two. I charge up the big bank monthly.

I equalize the batteries seasonally. I monitor them now with a Link 2000. I had a Freedom remote before. When I am off the dock, I use a three 22 watt panel of flexible solar panels and a Honda 2000 supplement. I charge at 60% and bring them up to 80-85%.

Overall, I am satisfied, although I would say the installation of the 'sacraficial' battery is still in proof-of-concept stage. Were I to do it again, I would not replace the stock alternator until I was satisfied an external regulator and added amps was worth it. I was somewhat surprised to see that the Balmar's real output at cruising RPM at 60% battery was 60 amps more or less. Main Sail's blog on the 'need' for external regulation and larger alternator was thought-provoking although I have no comparison frame of reference.

If you are still reading the ramble at this point, let me know where you have the house bank located. Mine are in the cockpit aft lockers.

sailingdog · Dec 30, 2008

My bad..fat fingered it... since I have T105s on my boat... .

Don S/V ILLusion said:
guess I'm just looking for a "better mousetrap".

SD - why replace T125's with T105's?

Happy NY to all!

windward54 · Dec 30, 2008

Hey Don, Sailingdog just wanted you to have less of a charge out of life (sorry, couldn't help myself. I never met a pun I didn't like!)

Rick, I have one bank in the starboard aft locker, and the second is down below under the lazerette directly forward of the sink. The starter battery is under the floor directly forward of the stairs. I don't know what you paid for the Sam's Club batteries, but the US Battery 2200's were $115/each plus tax and hazardous waste fee last year when I changed them out. I got almost 8 years out of the last set, so why change a good thing.

jfssail · Dec 30, 2008

Don, I have just finished my 5th season with four Interstate U2200 batteries, same battery as the US2200. I have the same charging systems as you and my batteries still have their original capacity. Only add water twice a season and equalize them 1-2 times a season . Store them fully charged all winter, presently they hold at 12.67, 12.59 volts per bank.
I expect at least another three seasons with these batteries. Some Costco stores in Florida handle US Batteries. I found the battery at a Interstate regional wholesaler , bought them for $55 each in May, 2004. There were golfcart dealers who told me that their US Batteries outlasted their Trojans.
Very happy with mine. With the price of lead at half its peak, we might get a drop in Battery prices this spring?
I usually cruise the North Channel for 7-8 weeks each summer , run my frig 24/7 and keep the charger on when at dockside.

Jack F Stewart
1993 C36 #1233 "Windancer"
Port Clinton, OH

Prime Time · Dec 30, 2008

Another option

I have Duralast Marine deep cycle group 29 batteries from Autozone. They are cheap. They only lasted 2 seasons, likely to my chronically undercharging them, but they are guaranteed for 3 yrs and were replaced with no hassle free of charge.

Taylor · Dec 30, 2008

You got 7 years out of T125's? Good. I have 6 abusive years on four T105's that are now about due for replacement. For me, this is a no-brain-er - T125's. The T125 is a heavier duty version of the T105 - same physical dimension, a few pounds heavier and 240AH vs. 220AH. This *is* the better mousetrap. Easy to move, readily available and apparently they thrive on abuse.

Capn Dave · Dec 30, 2008

Yer lookin fer bang for the buck

Well you have it already. Hands down golf cart batteries are the way to go. Trojans are one of the primo brands, that hold up the best. I can't say about Sams batteries. I think they only carry the 220 amp hour size. The 125's have a few more amp hrs, and slightly larger than the 105's. There is no real big difference in price.

Fair Winds, Happy New Year

Cap'n Dave

Benny · Dec 30, 2008

If the storage capacity meets your needs and your recharging time works for you any improvement would probably prove unnecessary. You are blessed if you get 7 years out of your bank; I guess the secret is regular maintenance. I have had good experience with Interstate batteries. I have never had a bank last that long but on trips I may abuse them by running them close to 50% and not recharging them fully before cycling again. I know when I do that I'm paying for convenience and yet I get 4 years out of a bank.

Rick · Dec 30, 2008

Rick D ALWAYS love your deep thoughts

Don, the ol stick with a good thing addage sounds appropriate here. I think when I replace my bank (beginning 5th year), stock WM 6 volters, I will go with an "economy" replacement with one caviat. They must have a "solid" type of cover on the cells like the WM version. Something that wont leak while healing.

Cheers

jfssail · Dec 31, 2008

Battery Prices and Lead Cost

I mentioned earlier that the price of lead over the past few years has resulted in large increases in the price for deep cycle batteries. When I purchased my US Battery/Interstate U2200 in 2004, the price was $53.95 each. I just talked to my local Dealer and the same battery now sells for $95, with prices coming down with each new shipment. He mentioned that just a few months back this battery sold for $125.

Back in 2004, lead sold for under $.50/LB, spiked to $1.75/LB in Nov 07 and has now dropped back to $.45-45/LB. My dealer didn't expect battery prices to drop back to the 2004 pricing, but should continue to drop with the falling economy.

So I would not be in any hurry to buy batteries this week since they will probably be cheaper by this summer.

Jack F Stewart
1993 C36 #1233 "Windancer"
Port Clinton, OH