I need to replace my original equipment house batteries (2 4ds) and am looking for advice on ways to avoid brute force/manual labor since these weigh 130 pounds each. A sailboat owner friend suggested rigging a block and tackle from the boom and dropping in the new (and retrieving the old)thru the port hatch just forward of the chart table. The geometry doesn't appear to work for this. I have an electric winch (Lewmar OP1 or OP2?) for raising the main and handling the mainsheet and was wondering if anyone has used their main halyard with this type of winch for handling heavy batteries. The new ones are likely AGM so can be tipped on end to fit thru the hatch. No sure what to do with the old wet cell 4Ds since they probably need to stay upright during off loading, but don't think they are quite as heavy. Has anyone used the main halyard/electric winch method?
Loading and unloading 4D batteries
- Thread starter Captain Ron6123
- Start date
- Status
Switch to 6v Golf Carts
You're right - 4Ds can be a pain-in-the-back to handle. Getting them out will no doubt be really tough but I wouldn't replace them. Recommend switching to the 6v golf cart batteries. Per Charlie Wing's "Handbook of Wiring" the Prevailer 4D is 21L x 9W x 10.25H which compares with the Trojan golf cart at 10.25L x 7W x 11.375H. The golf carts are 61# ea which is about half that of a 4D's 135#. A pair of golf carts should be able to fit in the old 4D box provided the additional height, a tad over an inch, isn't an issue. Amp-Hr capacity is 220 for the Trojans vs 165 for the Prevailer - a big increase. Plus, there are golf carts with higher Amp-Hr capacities if you need them. The other fringe benefits is a pair of golf carts are MUCH cheaper than the 4D and the number of deep-cycles is greater! What's there not to like? Hope this helps.
You're right - 4Ds can be a pain-in-the-back to handle. Getting them out will no doubt be really tough but I wouldn't replace them. Recommend switching to the 6v golf cart batteries. Per Charlie Wing's "Handbook of Wiring" the Prevailer 4D is 21L x 9W x 10.25H which compares with the Trojan golf cart at 10.25L x 7W x 11.375H. The golf carts are 61# ea which is about half that of a 4D's 135#. A pair of golf carts should be able to fit in the old 4D box provided the additional height, a tad over an inch, isn't an issue. Amp-Hr capacity is 220 for the Trojans vs 165 for the Prevailer - a big increase. Plus, there are golf carts with higher Amp-Hr capacities if you need them. The other fringe benefits is a pair of golf carts are MUCH cheaper than the 4D and the number of deep-cycles is greater! What's there not to like? Hope this helps.
Capt Ron,
When I changed out my 4Ds for 4D-AGMs a few years ago, I just found 2 strong young guys on the dock. Said, "you guys want to earn $20 each helping me move some batteries" ? .. Job done in 15 minutes ... money well spent.
When I changed out my 4Ds for 4D-AGMs a few years ago, I just found 2 strong young guys on the dock. Said, "you guys want to earn $20 each helping me move some batteries" ? .. Job done in 15 minutes ... money well spent.
I'm with John and Alan.
I use GCs like John said and I used my main halyard on my old Ericson 29 to place my Atomic 4 on the dock at Friday Harbor. That was the easiest part of the crankshaft replacement. Getting there from Desolation Sound was the hardest part. Ah, but it's the reason I own a Hunter and a Yanmar today.
I use GCs like John said and I used my main halyard on my old Ericson 29 to place my Atomic 4 on the dock at Friday Harbor. That was the easiest part of the crankshaft replacement. Getting there from Desolation Sound was the hardest part. Ah, but it's the reason I own a Hunter and a Yanmar today.
- Status