Deep Cycle Battery - What to choose?

B

Bob4203

.
Jul 1, 2004
398
Catalina 30 Atlanta GA
As a follow up on my starter issue thread I thought I would inquire about marine batteries.

I know the prices run the gamut and I know many might chime in suggesting costly gell type over flooded type batteries. But in my case I think I'd rather start with what might be "reasonable" on the dollar scale that will get me several years. Looking for the best bang for the buck.:D

My 1988 Mark II has two batteries housed under the settee berth on the starboard side.

Thanks
Bob
 
Maine Sail

Maine Sail

.
Feb 6, 1998
11,721
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
Bob4203 said:
As a follow up on my starter issue thread I thought I would inquire about marine batteries.

I know the prices run the gamut and I know many might chime in suggesting costly gell type over flooded type batteries. But in my case I think I'd rather start with what might be "reasonable" on the dollar scale that will get me several years. Looking for the best bang for the buck.:D

My 1988 Mark II has two batteries housed under the settee berth on the starboard side.

Thanks
Bob
Click to expand
By far the biggest differentiator in longevity is the owner, and their use and care habits of the batteries.

Most sailboat batteries never see 150 cycles before they are dead yet in the lab that can do 4-8 times that number....

Many Sam's Club locations sell the Deka/East Penn product for less that HALF what the SAME EXACT batteries will cost you at West Marine..

6V golf car batteries will take significantly more abuse than 12's and cost less per Ah......
 
py26129

py26129

.
Oct 25, 2011
576
Island Packet IP31 Lake St. Louis, Montreal
I picked up 2 cheapie group 27 flooded cell batteries from Walmart. We sue these as our house bank and after 2 seasons have had no issue. For the price, ~$80 a piece, I will be happy to replace them when the time comes.

Cheers

Matt
 
B

Bob4203

.
Jul 1, 2004
398
Catalina 30 Atlanta GA
Do I want Group 27 or larger (37 and up?). I am finding that prices and brands are all over the place. We just joined Costco so I will check and see what they have in their inventory. I do know that the number of battery manufacturers are less then a half a dozen but distribute and brand differently (Autozone, Sears, Battery's Plus, etc, etc). This can get interesting :dance:

Thanks

Bob
 
R

rbjenterprises

.
Feb 4, 2012
23
catilina 22 Roanoke,VA
I am going thru the same process on my boat, same model. I have decided to go with two g27 house batteries in the starboard battery box and a start/emergency battery in a box near the engine fuel filter. The second battery will be charged with an echo charger and have its own on/off switch. It is lake boat set up for spending weekends hiding on coves and as much as it pains me to say it only needs to be setup to the standard of Walmart.
 
B

Bob4203

.
Jul 1, 2004
398
Catalina 30 Atlanta GA
Yeah, were a lake boat as well and save one battery for starting and one for the house when out for the night. I do not think I will opt for a third battery set up though. The series 27 right now seems to be the most cost effective.

Thanks

Bob
 
Coriolisbc

Coriolisbc

.
Jun 29, 2011
142
Catalina 30 Mk II Gibsons
Last season I replaced all 3 batteries, 2 house, one engine.
I went for the Interstate Megatron, 600 CCA, 750 MCA for the house bank, and a slightly smaller one for the engine.
Each bank has it's own Xantrex Trucharge unit, in addition I carry a small battery booster that charges when I am on shore power
 
sea_casper

sea_casper

.
Jun 28, 2005
440
Hunter H33 2004 Mumford Cove,CT & Block Island
Coriolisbc said:
Last season I replaced all 3 batteries, 2 house, one engine.
I went for the Interstate Megatron, 600 CCA, 750 MCA for the house bank, and a slightly smaller one for the engine.
Each bank has it's own Xantrex Trucharge unit, in addition I carry a small battery booster that charges when I am on shore power
Click to expand
On a typical sailboat with small engines you don't need to be concerned with CCA's or MCA's especially for House banks, what you are concerned with is amp hour capacity, small and mid size sailboats don't need a starting battery, all batteries can be deep discharge, you can keep one battery isolated for engine start redundancy, but any of your house batteries will easily start your engine, most bank for the buck will be 6v golf cart batteries, as long as you can easily check and fill electrolyte levels.
 
B

Bob4203

.
Jul 1, 2004
398
Catalina 30 Atlanta GA
So, with cranking amps what do I need at a minimum? I have yet to pull my batteries out to look at the current specifications. For now I am shopping and comparing prices and using 800 cranking amps as a standard.

Thanks
Bob
 
Maine Sail

Maine Sail

.
Feb 6, 1998
11,721
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
Bob4203 said:
So, with cranking amps what do I need at a minimum? I have yet to pull my batteries out to look at the current specifications. For now I am shopping and comparing prices and using 800 cranking amps as a standard.

Thanks
Bob
Click to expand
You simply don't need to worry about it. Any deep cycle group 24, 27 or 29/31 will have more than what you need as would two 6V GC2 size batts in series for 12V..

What you want to focus on is the 20 hour Ah rating and being sure you are buying a battery designed for deep cycling...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Top Bottom