deep cell batteries

[Don]

Help,I am in need of battery replacement for my Westsail 32. Currently, there are 4, 6 volt sealed batteries (gel). They are about 6 years old and no longer will hold any charge. What is the least expensive but most efficient way to replace these batteries? Is wet better than gel? What brands holds up the best.Thanks,Don

 

[jmcclain]

Quality Wet Cell

Don,The all time winners when it comes to bang for the buck are large good quality conventional wet cells. You can replace them every two years and still no spend as much as you will on gels. You must, however, be a bit more diligent about maintainance and they will last longer with multi-stage charging sources.Jon McClain

 

[TT]

Read Nigel Calder's book

Don - Trial & error is an expensive way to find these things out. I'd do a little research first, like reading Calders' 'Boatowners Mechanical & Electrical Manual' He seems to spell it out fairly well as far as determining battery capacity, maintenance etc. If I remember correctly, if the battery bank is sized properly for the loads, and not dragged down below 75-80% of their fully charged capacity, they should be good for > 1000 cycles if maintained properly. In Maine, wouldn't that translate into 5-6 seasons' boat use, minimum ?

 

[Stan Breaux21640]

Just read a book

"Sailboat Electrics Simplified" written by Don Casey recommends 6-volt Trojan T-105 golf cart batteries as an inexpensive alternative. He says they should be about $60 each, which will give you a 225 amp-hour bank for $120.00. They are rated for 750 discharge cycles.

 

[Steve Dion]

10 years on Gel's

Don:We got 10 years on our Grp 31 West Marine gels. Considering ZERO maintenance I think that they were a good bang for the buck.If you are diligent with maintenance and have a high quality charger good 6v flooded batteries are hard to beat.You can also get GEL & AGM in 6v models too.