replacement for 4D batteries

Stu Jackson · May 20, 2012

Before you get new batteries, please, get a new charger.

Removal: a crane or five strong friends.

Steve Dion · May 20, 2012

You will need to determine your space allocation too.

I would suggest that you take Stu's advise and have that charger checked out.

Siamese · May 20, 2012

I don't handle 4D batteries by myself. A helper's a good idea.

Definitely do a search on this site for anything Maine Sail has had to say about converting to golf cart batteries.

I used his info to get rid of the 4D on my 31 footer and go to a pair of 6v golf cart batteries for the house. The pair will have roughly the same footprint as a single 4D, although slightly narrower. They are also slightly taller.

No point in me giving you any additional information, as your search will reveal all. It's an excellent conversion. Not only do you end up with better batteries for your money, but each 6v is easily carried by one person.

seadaddler · May 20, 2012

Plenty of help

I got rid of those 4D's and now have 4-6 volt T-105's and love them,you will need to size out tthe space and use battery box to fit.
Nick

CCHer · May 21, 2012

I used a block and tackle on the boom to lift out the 4Ds and swing them over to the dock. Like Seadaddler I replaced them with 2 pair of 6 volts-went with Interstate 232 amp hour wet cells-much less expensive than gels or AGMs and from what I understand more forgiving. Relative piece of cake to install them. As said plenty of info on this forum.

Berndahle · May 21, 2012

I used my Lifesling block and tackle. First I hooked it up to my arch (it's a Hunter), then I did the same as CCHer and used the boom to swing it ashore. But lifting that thing into the trunk of my car by myself was not fun. One of my two 4Ds just died suddenly whereas the other one is still in perfect shape. I have to see if Deka will replace one for me, otherwise I will probably switch to 6Vs as well. Moving a 4D around is just crazy and for the price of a new 4D I can get a whole new bank of four 6Vs with more capacity. Granted, they are wet cells and not AGMs but from everything MainSail has told us, they will do just fine for my application.

Dantodd · May 21, 2012

I replaced 2 4Ds with 6V golf cart batteries about 10 years ago and haven't looked back. I needed a friend to help remove the 4Ds from my engine room but I can easily move the GC batteries alone. I recently replaced my Dead Trojan T-105s with Costco GC2 batteries with the same rated capacity but with the price difference I was able to buy a battery monitor that I would not have been able to otherwise afford. Costco batteries plus a monitor will definitely serve me better than Trojans with no monitor. If the Trojans are better it is only marginally and certainly not worth the price difference for my purposes.

Tim C350 April IV · May 21, 2012

Replacement of the 2 4D's on the Catalina 350 with the 6V golfcart batteries has been well documented, both on the C350 website ( http://catalina350.net/ ) ( http://catalina350.net/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=22 )and in Mainsheet magazine. Pictures, wiring diagrams, etc.

With a well thought out plan, two middle aged guys can muscle those 4D's in and out of the boat. Always wear eye protection when messing around with batteries.

Good Luck!

Tim Brogan
April IV C350 #68
Seattle