One of my 2 8D house batteries is bad and I'm considering going to 6v hooked up in series. Can I replace the bad battery with new 6v's and keep the remaining 8D? Or do I have to replace all of them? Thanks. Bob
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Maybe
Standardly the batteries wear out somewhat evenly because they are used together. However, if one battery deteriorated sooner than it should have and needs replacing then whether the others are replaced would depend on their condition. If they are "close to new condition" then I'd just replace the one but if they aren't then there's a point where you're better off replacing them all.
Standardly the batteries wear out somewhat evenly because they are used together. However, if one battery deteriorated sooner than it should have and needs replacing then whether the others are replaced would depend on their condition. If they are "close to new condition" then I'd just replace the one but if they aren't then there's a point where you're better off replacing them all.
Like batteries in same bank
Hi Bob - I'd stick with the same type of batteries in the same bank. That being said, it's ok to have a different type for a starting battery than the house bank if they are kept separate. Just my 2 cents, Trevor
Hi Bob - I'd stick with the same type of batteries in the same bank. That being said, it's ok to have a different type for a starting battery than the house bank if they are kept separate. Just my 2 cents, Trevor
Prefer Gels or AGMs
Depends somewhat on your cruising style ... 6V golf cart batteries in series will be cheaper ($42 at Sam's Club last time I looked)and will be a lot easier to move than 8Ds ... however they are wet cells and need monitoring and maintenance. AGMs give more power for a given case size and accept high charging rates ... require no maintenance other than making sure charging voltages remain under 14.1 ... not cheap however. Gel cells also charge fast and require minimal maintenance but offer fewer amp hours for a given case size. Not cheap either. I'm in favor of minimizing maintenance chores and recharging fast ... but it's not my money. I have two friends both with 6V set-ups and both are having problems ... both due to batteries being in a barely accessible location making it impossible to check or add water without removing the batteries. These guys need gel cells or AGMs ... and heavy duty, properly regulated, charging systems. I currently have 6 year old Gel cells and will replace with AGMs when these go bad. Capt Ron
Depends somewhat on your cruising style ... 6V golf cart batteries in series will be cheaper ($42 at Sam's Club last time I looked)and will be a lot easier to move than 8Ds ... however they are wet cells and need monitoring and maintenance. AGMs give more power for a given case size and accept high charging rates ... require no maintenance other than making sure charging voltages remain under 14.1 ... not cheap however. Gel cells also charge fast and require minimal maintenance but offer fewer amp hours for a given case size. Not cheap either. I'm in favor of minimizing maintenance chores and recharging fast ... but it's not my money. I have two friends both with 6V set-ups and both are having problems ... both due to batteries being in a barely accessible location making it impossible to check or add water without removing the batteries. These guys need gel cells or AGMs ... and heavy duty, properly regulated, charging systems. I currently have 6 year old Gel cells and will replace with AGMs when these go bad. Capt Ron
Think about cost and heat.
Captronb has it pretty right. However, think about heat. Gel cells don't do well in hot conditions (which my sailboat cabin gets). Also is it worth the $ savings? I would replace with a conventional 8D deep-cycle marine battery or AGM as the cpt suggests. Be sure you match the AH ratings or you might have premature battery failure. Hope that helps.
Captronb has it pretty right. However, think about heat. Gel cells don't do well in hot conditions (which my sailboat cabin gets). Also is it worth the $ savings? I would replace with a conventional 8D deep-cycle marine battery or AGM as the cpt suggests. Be sure you match the AH ratings or you might have premature battery failure. Hope that helps.
I got 10 plus years on GELS.
We got 10 plus years on Gels. Our temps are very warm during the summer months too. They worked great. I will go with AGM's when I replace what I currently have.
We got 10 plus years on Gels. Our temps are very warm during the summer months too. They worked great. I will go with AGM's when I replace what I currently have.
no one answered the question....
...so I'll give an opinion. I am not a battery expert, but I don't see any problem with two sixes hooked up as a twelve for one bank and a single 12 volt on the other as long as you isolate the banks. Now I'm hoping our electrical experts will comment on this statement.
...so I'll give an opinion. I am not a battery expert, but I don't see any problem with two sixes hooked up as a twelve for one bank and a single 12 volt on the other as long as you isolate the banks. Now I'm hoping our electrical experts will comment on this statement.
Joe...no one answered the question....
Joe, your statement is correct, but that is not what he was asking....."One of my 2 8D house batteries is bad and I'm considering going to 6v hooked up in series. Can I replace the bad battery with new 6v's and keep the remaining 8D? Or do I have to replace all of them?" Bob, sorry, but you will have to replace them all. The 2 sixes will work as a 12, true enough, but the charge rate will definately be different and this not good. Being in the same bank, one of your batts will always overcharge. This is why you should always replace all the batteries in the same bank at the same time, in your case, by changing one of the battery types ( the 2 sixes) you have taken that to the extreme.. Someone already mentioned that the lesser battery will pull down the good battery.
Joe, your statement is correct, but that is not what he was asking....."One of my 2 8D house batteries is bad and I'm considering going to 6v hooked up in series. Can I replace the bad battery with new 6v's and keep the remaining 8D? Or do I have to replace all of them?" Bob, sorry, but you will have to replace them all. The 2 sixes will work as a 12, true enough, but the charge rate will definately be different and this not good. Being in the same bank, one of your batts will always overcharge. This is why you should always replace all the batteries in the same bank at the same time, in your case, by changing one of the battery types ( the 2 sixes) you have taken that to the extreme.. Someone already mentioned that the lesser battery will pull down the good battery.
Let's try this!!!
Do you have 2 battery banks consisting of one 8D battery for each bank? If so then you can most certanly install 2 six volt batteries to replace one of the banks. In this case you are replacing a battery bank. Just keep them the same type. Wet cells, AGM, or Gels. Dont mix battery types. It's ok to mix battery sizes in different banks. Keep in mind also, golf cart batteries offer the most bang for the buck. Fair Winds Cap'n Dave
Do you have 2 battery banks consisting of one 8D battery for each bank? If so then you can most certanly install 2 six volt batteries to replace one of the banks. In this case you are replacing a battery bank. Just keep them the same type. Wet cells, AGM, or Gels. Dont mix battery types. It's ok to mix battery sizes in different banks. Keep in mind also, golf cart batteries offer the most bang for the buck. Fair Winds Cap'n Dave
Bob F, the answer to your question is....
YES. Capt Dave seemed to understand your question and I agree with his suggestion. Type(floded,agm,gel) rather than size(Gp24,27,8d,etc.)is the issue. Here is a good illustration of marine battery systems. http://www.boatfix.com/how/Ele2.html You would be interested in Sytems #D or #G. So, you can mix battery sizes, but not types. Read the text on the web page to understand why you need to isolate the banks.
YES. Capt Dave seemed to understand your question and I agree with his suggestion. Type(floded,agm,gel) rather than size(Gp24,27,8d,etc.)is the issue. Here is a good illustration of marine battery systems. http://www.boatfix.com/how/Ele2.html You would be interested in Sytems #D or #G. So, you can mix battery sizes, but not types. Read the text on the web page to understand why you need to isolate the banks.
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