I’m changing out my batteries

[sailcapt340]

I really haven’t had to deal with batteries for years now. In 22 years, I’ve only had 12 volt batteries. I did get a great 8 year run with 4 Deka AGM batteries. But the proper charging was always an issue, but they did last 8 years, so I really can’t complain.
I‘ve removed my the last group of 3 from the boat this winter. They are sitting in the back yard, as they are dead, and now only good for the core charge.
Now I want to switch to four 6 volt batteries. 2 for the house bank and 2 for the reserve bank. Making two 12 volt banks.
My needs are so simple. Just start the 27 hp Yanmar, go sailing and return. Maybe once or twice a year run the refrigerator for a day. A few cabin lights at night a few times a year. Nothing much else.
But I am leaving them on the boat during the winter lay over and not lugging them back and forth and up and down the ladder anymore.

I completely agree with….
“As Tally ho stated Duracel works well for his moderate usage. And
Scott T Bird…Trojan 105 or 125 GC2 6 Volt Batteries or Duracell GC2.
And I'll agree with anybody who says that buying batteries is about the trickiest component that you can deal with on a boat!”

Aside from the costs differential between Duracell and Trojan, does anyone have other suggestions for 6 Volt Batteries that have worked well for them? I do have an ACR installed now, for when we thought we would go to a slip rather than a mooring. But we like the mooring and are staying there. Also 300 AMP Fuses on both banks. I just have to get dual battery boxes for each bank and shorter 2/0 AWG cables for the Negative to Positive terminals.
Thank you for your input.

 

[dlochner]

Stick with Deka. They are available under the Deka brand and also several other brands. I abused mine for years and they were still good when I replaced them.

Dyno Batteries makes some nice battery boxes for GC batteries. Be sure the jumper cables are the same length, mismatched they will affect battery life and charging.

Dyno Golf Cart Battery Box - 4 Battery Version

Dyno Golf Cart Battery Box - 4 Battery Version Use with Dyno and Other Brands of Batteries

www.fisheriessupply.com

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

I’ve always relied on Deka or Trojan 6V wet cells. Used to prefer Trojan T105s until their prices went ridiculous. Before switching brands, I relied on our local golf cart fleet manager‘s recommendation as he knows them all. Presently have 12 Deka batteries in service with no problem. The list of Deka batteries re-branded/re-labeled with other names in numerous but easily searched.

 

[sailcapt340]

Dave, you make a good point regarding the cable lengths being equal. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve seen all sorts of cable mismatches. From 2 AWG in all various length, combined with 4 AWG. My guess is what ever was available or less costly at the time. And it worked.
Don, I do have a golf cart dealer near me. I‘ll stop in a see what they have to offer.
I have to measure to opening my battery locker has on my 340, to see if I can get the 4 compartment box in there. It‘s on the hatch over the Waste Tank. And gets pretty cramped in there.
Thank youfor the help.

 

[dlochner]

Dave, you make a good point regarding the cable lengths being equal. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve seen all sorts of cable mismatches. From 2 AWG in all various length, combined with 4 AWG. My guess is what ever was available or less costly at the time. And it worked.
Don, I do have a golf cart dealer near me. I‘ll stop in a see what they have to offer.
I have to measure to opening my battery locker has on my 340, to see if I can get the 4 compartment box in there. It‘s on the hatch over the Waste Tank. And gets pretty cramped in there.
Thank youfor the help.

If you look closely at the Fisherie's supply page I linked to there is an option for a 2 battery box. Of course you could use the 4 battery box and wire them independently.

 

[sailcapt340]

I did see your link and wrote down the measurements. It will be 50+ degrees tomorrow. Good day for a walk and to climb up the boat without sliding off the back. No winter here so far.

 

[smokey73]

Dyno Batteries makes some nice battery boxes for GC batteries. Be sure the jumper cables are the same length, mismatched they will affect battery life and charging.

Dyno Golf Cart Battery Box - 4 Battery Version

Dyno Golf Cart Battery Box - 4 Battery Version Use with Dyno and Other Brands of Batteries

www.fisheriessupply.com

Looking at the picture for the battery box's shown, how do you secure the box to the boat. Not sure I"d just want to set it into the location. I see they list straps to hold the top on but I don't see a way to secure the box itself. I believe the Compass Marine advice is to secure the battery box. Like the look of them but wonder how to secure them.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Looking at the picture for the battery box's shown, how do you secure the box to the boat. Not sure I"d just want to set it into the location. I see they list straps to hold the top on but I don't see a way to secure the box itself. I believe the Compass Marine advice is to secure the battery box. Like the look of them but wonder how to secure them.

The covers we have on our battery containers have loop slots through which the strap tie downs run. No clue who makes them but they exist.

 

[smokey73]

@Don S/V ILLusion Thanks. Am I to understand that the straps go around the box and top and then pass through something secured strap or fitting on the floor of the area where they are located. Still trying to visualize. I like the boxes and will take measurements to see if they will fit.

 

[dlochner]

@Don S/V ILLusion Thanks. Am I to understand that the straps go around the box and top and then pass through something secured strap or fitting on the floor of the area where they are located. Still trying to visualize. I like the boxes and will take measurements to see if they will fit.

The bottom of the box is not flat, it is corrugated. Straps run through the corrugations and over the top of the box and are secured with the kind of clasps Maine Sail recommends. The straps are secured with footman loops that are secured to the floor. Looking at the photo below, the straps ran through the 2 outermost raised areas.

 

[dlochner]

And with the batteries installed.

 

[smokey73]

@dlochner Thanks! It the footman's loop that was missing from my visualization. It is attached to the floor and the straps go through it and over the box lid. Now I understand.

 

[sailcapt340]

Dave,
Because the bottom portion of your photo is blocked out when I view it.
Correct me if I am wrong…..Am I seeing 4 - 6 Volt batteries wired in a Series/Parallel Combination? Giving you the 12 volts you want but doubling your amp hours? And are those about 6 inch long negative to positive jumper cables?
Just for my reference, so I don’t buy cables that are way to long.
Thank you for the clarification. Sorry for the blocked out image I‘m getting. Foolish iPad!

 

[dlochner]

Dave,
Because the bottom portion of your photo is blocked out when I view it.
Correct me if I am wrong…..Am I seeing 4 - 6 Volt batteries wired in a Series/Parallel Combination? Giving you the 12 volts you want but doubling your amp hours? And are those about 6 inch long negative to positive jumper cables?
Just for my reference, so I don’t buy cables that are way to long.
Thank you for the clarification. Sorry for the blocked out image I‘m getting. Foolish iPad!

Yes, there are 4 batteries in a series parallel configuration. There is pocket for the weather boards that hangs over the edge of the batteries obscuring the image. Good eye on the sizing, the short jumpers are 6 ¼ inches center to center on the lugs and the long ones 12 inches.

Have you considered one large bank with 4 GC batteries? There are some advantages which affects longevity, i.e., the batteries live longer. We have a separate Group 27 FLA for a start/reserve battery.

 

[sailcapt340]

Yes thanks what I am thinking, 4 - 6 Volts and a separate 12 V for a reserve.
Since owning the boat new in 2000, I‘ve stayed with the 2 - 12 V batteries as it was delivered to me. Then I did upgrade to 4 - 12 V batteries and that served my needs for years.
So now this.

 

[Benny17441]

If those are your only power needs I think you may be wasting money on much excess power The rule of thumb, is to equip your boat for 80% of your needs and for the other 20% you improvise. You could do very nicely with 2 12V Group 27 batteries and create redundancy or reserve power by alternating their use with the battery switch. For those few days a year that you want to use the refrigerator all day and lights at night you can combine both batteries and to maintain redundancy you may bring along an automotive type Battery Pack to start the engine should the batteries be weak at the end of the day. Batteries need to be exercised and having too big a bank may only require trickle charges which ultimately is no good for them. Now this is just a general observation, you may feel that the trouble of getting a Battery Pack, alternating banks or monitoring state of charge is not worth it and that is fine too.