Best Battery

Ken Cross · Sep 22, 2013

Standard answer: It depends. I know this sounds like a flippant remark, but I assure it isn't.

Where you live will dictate what's available. Is cost a factor? (It always is for me.) What about form factor and what will fit in your space. Batteries are also heavy (read that expensive to ship and may require special handling. Lithium batteries for example can't be shipped by air in the US.) I'd go down to my favorite supplier of marine things and ask them what they have.
Ken

Sailm8 · Sep 23, 2013

I have had good luck with wet cells from Sam's club. Good price and long life.

Chief RA · Sep 23, 2013

Like Sailm8 I just bought 2 wet cells for my boat at Walmart for about 70 dollars each. My RV was purchased in 2009 and the Walmart batteries I bought for it then are still going strong.(about 400 ah, 4 ea.) Chief

barnstormer · Sep 23, 2013

This spring I bought 2 deep cycle batteries made by Exide from Menards for $75.00 each and they have great specs. They weigh 65 lbs. and have 105 amp hrs each which blew away the west marine batteries that they replaced. By the way these are group 27 size and have been doing great since spring.

Anonymous 121765 · Sep 23, 2013

Mark,

The guys are right, not all batteries are alike. I live in Florida which is not good conditions for wet batteries. In cars, bikes & boats. Most problems folk here have is evaporation of battery fluid. The more you have to add water (use only distilled), the weaker the acid solution. Thus the battery weakens.

The AGM (sealed) batteries are what I use in all my of vehicles & they work great. My boat (2) Group 27's are 4+ years old have never been a problem. I use a digital charger, but I also use a 7 day timer for battery charging. I just don't trust having the charger on all the time. Every other day, I set the timer to run for half to an hour. I only have my bilge pump on auto, no other systems on.

I'm not crazy about D8 (golf) batteries either or any wet cell. The D8 size & weight I don't feel is worth it. But it might depend on systems running. I don't use an inverter or have A/C etc. running on my 30 footer. If yours is like mine, know how to charge your boat away from the dock, you can take extended trips & keep powered. It's simple.

You motor out, shut the engine & sail. Depending on the length under sail & systems running, you later start your motor, run for a half hour & your batteries are back up. I run my motor on approach to anchor at the end of the day. In the morning I run the engine while still anchored or leaving. The AGM's benefit is they re-charge quickly over wet cells. This was one claim that made me first buy them. They will not work if upside down. But if you find yourself in this situation, you have bigger problems with your boat.

There is a new dry cell battery out recently, but it's still in it's infancy the last time I checked were not available in many sizes. It claims to hold a charge for 7 1/2 years! I feel the jury's still out on this.

CR

Rasselas36 · Sep 23, 2013

Duralast/12 Volts, 1000 CA marine dual purpose battery
Part Number:27DP-DL
Type: Marine
Category: Dual Purpose
Availability: Normally stocked at your local store.
Warranty: 3 YR

Duralast/685 CA marine deep cycle battery
Part Number:24MD-DL
Type: Marine
Category: Deep Cycle
Availability: Normally stocked at your local store.
Warranty: 3 YR

Johnb · Sep 23, 2013

Over 12 years my experience with the Walmart/Costco wet cell batteries has been excellent.

I have two equal size batteries connected to a Off-1-all-2 switch and reserve battery 2 for starting. I replaced the batteries in 2001 and again in 2008 when my intuition told me they were not quite what they used to be, and have never been let down. Cost is under $80 per battery.

I check the fluid level about once per 6 weeks and add a little water about every second time. This does not dilute the electrolyte because all it is doing is replacing water that either evaporated or was removed by gassing on overcharge.

Unless you have really thought it through and figure you need it, I would not be bamboozled into throwing a bunch of money into exotic batteries and systems.

Stu Jackson · Sep 23, 2013

http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=132350

Maine Sail answers your question.

Anonymous 121765 · Sep 23, 2013

John,

I just don't understand wet cell thinking. Does it make sense to have to keep or truck distilled water, & have to constantly check fuel levels. Also, let's not forget the need for a hydrometer to determine specific gravity. What about problems with off-gassing & danger of explosion if not isolated from the electrical panel as in my boat.

I see boaters with dead batteries & ruined plates from fluid loss. Most were wet cell batteries. Why add items to your maintenance schedule when a sealed battery when charged properly, requires NO maintenance. I would rather spend more $$ up front and a feeling of confidence.

So I have to think that the real argument I see in this thread is based simply on cost. That being said, you get what you pay for. Some are lucky to have a great battery life, others not. Not all batteries are created equal.

CR

Stu Jackson · Sep 23, 2013

Those are good points. Then there's this, just be aware of the pros and cons of your decisions:

http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=124973

sea_casper · Sep 23, 2013

captnron said:
Mark,

The guys are right, not all batteries are alike. I live in Florida which is not good conditions for wet batteries. In cars, bikes & boats. Most problems folk here have is evaporation of battery fluid. The more you have to add water (use only distilled), the weaker the acid solution. Thus the battery weakens.
CR

I don't believe the acid evaporates, only the H2O, so refilling with H2O only restores the specific gravity.

Sailm8 · Sep 23, 2013

Well I guess my take is different on batteries. I read and have followed a suggestion from years ago. Batteries are a maintenance item that will require periodic replacement. I figure I will need to replace them every 5 years and plan accordingly. If they are still good at 6 years or more - Bonus. I just expect and budget for a 5 year life. Been getting good service for my current Sam's wet cells. YMMV

Chief RA · Sep 24, 2013

Much has been printed about the various pros and cons of the battery types. Studying this data SHOULD allow you to make a sound decision with regard to your boat and its use.
I have done that, after evaluating all aspects: at this time I still feel that wet cells present the most practical approach for my power needs. I could give you the reasons and create lots of argumentive response, but I won't, do your own evaluation, and then argue with yourself to arrive at a sound decision! Chief