we have to replace the batteries in our 320 Hunter and have heard gel batteries by odyssey are the best, we dont want any odor the batteries in the boat now have a bad odor and are leaking. What do you guys think about the Odyssey?
i need batteries for my Hunter 320, need suggestions!
- Thread starter seanymph
- Start date
- Status
Two suggestions -
1. everybody has an opinion about which is "best" usually colored my their own personal and limited experience. Frankly, there is no "best" for all uses and circumstances.
2. If you are experiencing odor from batteries, they are being overcharged. Replacing them won't solve that problem and only lead to a premature death of the replacement(s).
1. everybody has an opinion about which is "best" usually colored my their own personal and limited experience. Frankly, there is no "best" for all uses and circumstances.
2. If you are experiencing odor from batteries, they are being overcharged. Replacing them won't solve that problem and only lead to a premature death of the replacement(s).
I have a Hunter 320 and replaced my batteries a year and a half ago with AGM batteries. I have three batteries. One for starting and two in parallell for house batteries. I have a smart charger that handles charging. I used the AGM (Optima, best price I found was at Sam's Club) because my brother who is fisherman in the Gulf of Mexico was showing me his boat and it started his engine in one crank. The selling point was thae battery was 5 years old and had not been on a charger in five months at the time he started the engine. So far I am very pleased, no smells, spills, and not let down yet. Hope this helps.we have to replace the batteries in our 320 Hunter and have heard gel batteries by odyssey are the best, we dont want any odor the batteries in the boat now have a bad odor and are leaking. What do you guys think about the Odyssey?
Odyssey batteries are thin plate pure lead AGM batteries. They do best with a very specific charge regimen and want to see a charger capable of 40% of the banks Ah capacity which would mean a 160A+ alternator for a 400 Ah bank.. They actually like to be charged fast and the engineers at Enersys insist this will yield the best longevity.we have to replace the batteries in our 320 Hunter and have heard gel batteries by odyssey are the best, we dont want any odor the batteries in the boat now have a bad odor and are leaking. What do you guys think about the Odyssey?
Being AGM they also like to be topped up as frequently as possible and can not be equalized. They are very interesting batteries but are relatively new to the market so I can't and won't comment on long term cycle life. I have about four customers with them but the oldest bank is just entering its third season (could be fourth but I'd have to check). They will take GOBS of current and eat a stock alternator for lunch. Investing in Odyssey batteries is an expensive proposition to do right and involves more than just buying a few batteries and tossing them in the boat..
These are one of the most expensive AGM batteries made so be sure to treat any upgrade as a "system" not just new batteries....
If your existing batteries are smelling and stinking you had better get that resolved before plunking down 4 bills each on Odyssey batts.. Over charged gels, AGM's and wets will all be destroyed and smell. GELand AGM are even more sensitive to abuse than wets so if you buy the Odyssey batts do it wisely..
This bank and the upgrades, alternator, serpentine belt kit to drive it, wiring, mounts, regulator, temp sensors etc. etc. cost lots of money to do correctly.... The batteries alone were $2k... You can buy a lot of wet cells for that kind of money..
I went with AGM for my 326. Gel seemed just too finicky. No scientific data. But I am happy with them. One year old now.
Maine Sail - the queen could have her dinner served in that battery compartment it is so clean. I am envious.
Seanymph - I have a 2001 Hunter 320 with a Protech-4 model 1230 charge that I believe was factory installed. It is not the best charger, but it is a mutli-stage charger. It would be interesting if this charger is overcharging your batteries, meaning a major product malfunction. Now, I rarely use the Protech charger. I charge with a solar panel with a very good solar charge controller, because there is no power in our marina (long New Orleans story).
As the others said, if I had money only for either top of the line charging equipment or great batteries, go with the charging equipment. Good batteries will be gone soon without good charging. I have a Balmar 70 ALT w/ ARS 5 regulator with temp sensors on Batt and Alt. A Balmar Digital Duo for dedicated starting battery. Last, a very good, temp comp solar controller. My weakest link is the ProTech 4 charger, which I only use cruising during short stays in other harbors.
As for batteries, I went with 4 Trojan AGM Group 27 (3 house, 1 start) in the port settee (after being a GEL battery man). Basically, the best price per amps on low maintenance batteries from a well respected manufacturer made me go with Trojan AGMs. AGMs have some good points, their low maintenance, can tolerate the charging voltages of the stock Yanmar alternator (Hitachi model LR155-20, 55amp), and low self-discharge rate. Now, the stock alternator is not a great charger with its internal regulation, but can be used to put something in the batteries. Do not go Gels unless you do some changes to the stock alternator to control the charging voltage. Gel batteries require unique charging voltages from Flooded or AGM.
To prevent the cooked batteries smell, go get a good multi-stage charger like the Truecharge. This will protect any investment you make in your batteries. Go with AGM batteries, if you want low maintenance and do not want to put money into changes to the Yanmar stock alternator. Gels are great, but you have to have a charging system designed for them. Hope all comes out well.
Seanymph - I have a 2001 Hunter 320 with a Protech-4 model 1230 charge that I believe was factory installed. It is not the best charger, but it is a mutli-stage charger. It would be interesting if this charger is overcharging your batteries, meaning a major product malfunction. Now, I rarely use the Protech charger. I charge with a solar panel with a very good solar charge controller, because there is no power in our marina (long New Orleans story).
As the others said, if I had money only for either top of the line charging equipment or great batteries, go with the charging equipment. Good batteries will be gone soon without good charging. I have a Balmar 70 ALT w/ ARS 5 regulator with temp sensors on Batt and Alt. A Balmar Digital Duo for dedicated starting battery. Last, a very good, temp comp solar controller. My weakest link is the ProTech 4 charger, which I only use cruising during short stays in other harbors.
As for batteries, I went with 4 Trojan AGM Group 27 (3 house, 1 start) in the port settee (after being a GEL battery man). Basically, the best price per amps on low maintenance batteries from a well respected manufacturer made me go with Trojan AGMs. AGMs have some good points, their low maintenance, can tolerate the charging voltages of the stock Yanmar alternator (Hitachi model LR155-20, 55amp), and low self-discharge rate. Now, the stock alternator is not a great charger with its internal regulation, but can be used to put something in the batteries. Do not go Gels unless you do some changes to the stock alternator to control the charging voltage. Gel batteries require unique charging voltages from Flooded or AGM.
To prevent the cooked batteries smell, go get a good multi-stage charger like the Truecharge. This will protect any investment you make in your batteries. Go with AGM batteries, if you want low maintenance and do not want to put money into changes to the Yanmar stock alternator. Gels are great, but you have to have a charging system designed for them. Hope all comes out well.
- Status