Batterys

Brian S · Aug 7, 2013

OHMYGOD! I'm so sorry reading this post, I kept seeing "[we] are careful with refer use" and I just laughed like a kid. Please do be careful with your refer - don't get caught with any on board by the police! Hahahahahaha!

Sorry. I just couldn't resist.

Brian

Brian S · Aug 12, 2013

Thanks for laughing with me. Yes, I am still effective mental age 14.

Brian

Concerto · Aug 12, 2013

Concerto In Sea is the boat with the Optima Blue Tops. My 4Ds were lead acid and weighed about 96 lbs. each. They were at the end of their life and I chose the four Optima AGMs to provide 3000 CCA when all are on line. I have two banks of two for the battery switch, selecting "Both" while motoring and using "1" or "2" depending on the date, (odd or even).
I can run the 12v fridge all day while sailing on either bank and have plenty left for starting and electronics. The fridge draws 5 Amps running with a starting surge of 8 to 10 Amps.
I also have two small solar chargers (one to each bank) which trickle them full when on the mooring. Just in case, we sail with a jumper pack because you never know. Used it twice with the old 4Ds but not since.

scott754 · Aug 12, 2013

I wonder it Brian has a hot water heater.

sea_casper · Aug 12, 2013

Of what use is 3000CCA?
It seems the amp hour rating is what is important.

Maine Sail · Aug 18, 2013

Alansails said:
Maine, I have 2- 4D Batterys AGM and I was wondering after I read someone comment that they have Blue top Optima batteries. Minbe are not ready to go but they stated that there is the same amount of AH but with less weight and they last longer and cost less? Any thoughts?
We have Air/heat along with Refer but only use the air when shore powered and are careful with refer use. Thanks

Sorry for missing this. I do not recommend Optima's for anything but starting batteries.

Other AGM's such as Odyssey or Lifeline are a better choice for cycling applications and you'll get more Ah's/capacity per sq in of foot print..

Optima's have less Ah capacity than non-spiral cell batteries of the same class size. For example the Optima blue top group 31 only has 75Ah's but an Odyssey group 31 AGM has 100Ah, a Deka group 31 AGM has 105Ah and a Lifeline 31 AGM has 105 or 125 Ah's depending upon which group 31 Lifeline battery you choose the 31T or the 31XT.....

I would also suggest that 4D's can be replaced with much smaller and longer lasting batteries that won't break your back. Optima to my knowledge does not even make a 4D..