Battery Use Survey Observations

[weinie]

I was chatting with a group of people at my club yesterday, some casual racers and some cruisers. None of the racers really give a squat to battery life...just make sure the boat starts. If it doesn't start on A, switch to B. If B doesn't work, call the launch for a jump. I would venture to guess most day and weekend sailors fall into this category too.

ETA: I would also add that considering the cost of maintaining a 30-40 foot boat, spending 2-300 hundred bucks on new batteries every 4-5 years is a drop in the ocean.

 

[Morgan donor]

equalizing

Maine - how does one know when its time to equalize your house bank? I've never read a definitive explanation.

My GC Exides / flooded are 8 yrs old. Never/ever been low on water. Sit on a Xantrex 3 stage Truecharge 20. I leave it on "warm" temp, bulk charge, float.

Those are my two "secrets" to long batt life right there!
Dave

 

[Xanthus]

*43% of responders who admited to never equalizing batteries get less than 4 years service life.

This is an interesting stat, but more to the point, 57% who never equilize get 4 years or more service life.

What would really be meaningful about equalizing in your survey would be the service life of batteries that are otherwise properly cared for. In other words, equalizing %s among those that have amp-hour battery monitors, or better, the 88% who have amp-hour monitors that get 5 years or more service life.

Overall, a very good survey. Thanx

 

[dziedzicmj]

Somehow this survey went under the radar. You were not the only one who missed , Rich

 

[nashuasteve]

I have a couple of questions, being a novice to all this, how do you equalize and What is Temp Compensation?

I am planning on replacing my two deep cycles, One for starting and one for house. I am also looking to add refrigeration. I will be on a mooring this season and I think I need to add a solar.