Anyone have any experience with these maintance-free batteries? Price wise they look great, I could get two group 27's for less than the cost of 1 gel or agm. If they will last for 2 or 3 years that makes them very cost effective. By the way, I found out the hard way that you really do need to check the water on flooded batteries every month, especially in the summer.
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Trojan Man
Buy golf cart batteries
Trojan T105s will give you the most bang for the buck by far. 2- 6volt bats @ $55 ea will give you 220 ah at 12 volts. deep cycle, industrial duty that will take almost any abuse. Don't even consider agm's or gell cells. They can't take any abuse and require a different charging voltage then lead acid. Also $$$$.
Trojan T105s will give you the most bang for the buck by far. 2- 6volt bats @ $55 ea will give you 220 ah at 12 volts. deep cycle, industrial duty that will take almost any abuse. Don't even consider agm's or gell cells. They can't take any abuse and require a different charging voltage then lead acid. Also $$$$.
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Les Murray
AGMs are a good buy
I would have to disagree with the previous post on the worth of AGMs. Yes, they are more expensive than lead acid, but not by too much. Especially when you compar that a lead acid may get you a few good years while an AGM will get you more than twice that. Also, AGMs use pretty much the same charging voltage and charging cycle, don't need to be equalized, and withstand deep discharges much better. They also recharge quicker and you can get many more cycles out of them. AGMs are great for applications where the batteries may not be fully upright as they do not leak or discharge very much. AGMs can be a good buy when you think long term. Golf Cart batteries are the best for price, capacity, and durability. However, they are still lead-acid and require the same care. Also, since GCs are six-volt, you will need two in series to get 12 volts. Two GCs are the same size as a 4D and combined about as heavy. Make sure you analyze your power needs before making this decision. Also, look at upgrading your charging system to a high-ouptut alternator and smart regulator. Those will help you keep your batteries healthier longer. Good luck, Les Murray s/v Ceilidh '86 C-36 #560
I would have to disagree with the previous post on the worth of AGMs. Yes, they are more expensive than lead acid, but not by too much. Especially when you compar that a lead acid may get you a few good years while an AGM will get you more than twice that. Also, AGMs use pretty much the same charging voltage and charging cycle, don't need to be equalized, and withstand deep discharges much better. They also recharge quicker and you can get many more cycles out of them. AGMs are great for applications where the batteries may not be fully upright as they do not leak or discharge very much. AGMs can be a good buy when you think long term. Golf Cart batteries are the best for price, capacity, and durability. However, they are still lead-acid and require the same care. Also, since GCs are six-volt, you will need two in series to get 12 volts. Two GCs are the same size as a 4D and combined about as heavy. Make sure you analyze your power needs before making this decision. Also, look at upgrading your charging system to a high-ouptut alternator and smart regulator. Those will help you keep your batteries healthier longer. Good luck, Les Murray s/v Ceilidh '86 C-36 #560
I'd agree with Les.
Gels and AGMs are a good buy. If you have a smart charger (which you should if you have flooded batteries too) there is not a problem with abuse. You NEVER EVER need to worry about water levels. You can mount them in non-traditional methods. You do not need to worry about gassing and they have 6 volt units too. No battery terminal cleaning to worry about either. My previous set of Gels lasted for over 10 years. I almost forget where they where aboard the boat.
Gels and AGMs are a good buy. If you have a smart charger (which you should if you have flooded batteries too) there is not a problem with abuse. You NEVER EVER need to worry about water levels. You can mount them in non-traditional methods. You do not need to worry about gassing and they have 6 volt units too. No battery terminal cleaning to worry about either. My previous set of Gels lasted for over 10 years. I almost forget where they where aboard the boat.
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Vic
I've had the same two Voyager batteries ...
on my boat for the last 7-8 years. They are located in such a stupid place that it is nearly impossible to check them ... and I haven't. During the winter the boat comes out of the water and I make sure the batteries are charged and but they stay wired in the boat till the boat goes back in the water. And those batteries never fail to start that Yanmar in the spring. I have to admit I don't use them much as we mostly sail on and off a mooring ... I might go 5-10 hours max on the engine during the summer. This week I am installing a radio shack panel meter to keep an eye on the voltage because i just installed a tiller pilot and want to be sure I know what charge they are holding ... fully charged they are about 12.5+V ... and I will recharge at 12V. But I am going to let one run down to 11V to see if I still can start the motor at 11V. That's the key -- find out the lowest voltage that will start the motor and always make sure you have one battery up for it. This is the second set of these batteries I have had and as I remember I didn't replace the first set because they went bad ... I just didn't think they would last as well as they seem to in light use. I have also used one for about 10 years as a power supply to a solid state HAM radio amplifier and that just sits under my desk. In short ... for light usage they may last 10 years. If anyone has tried them in heavy service i would like to know the results as well. Vic
on my boat for the last 7-8 years. They are located in such a stupid place that it is nearly impossible to check them ... and I haven't. During the winter the boat comes out of the water and I make sure the batteries are charged and but they stay wired in the boat till the boat goes back in the water. And those batteries never fail to start that Yanmar in the spring. I have to admit I don't use them much as we mostly sail on and off a mooring ... I might go 5-10 hours max on the engine during the summer. This week I am installing a radio shack panel meter to keep an eye on the voltage because i just installed a tiller pilot and want to be sure I know what charge they are holding ... fully charged they are about 12.5+V ... and I will recharge at 12V. But I am going to let one run down to 11V to see if I still can start the motor at 11V. That's the key -- find out the lowest voltage that will start the motor and always make sure you have one battery up for it. This is the second set of these batteries I have had and as I remember I didn't replace the first set because they went bad ... I just didn't think they would last as well as they seem to in light use. I have also used one for about 10 years as a power supply to a solid state HAM radio amplifier and that just sits under my desk. In short ... for light usage they may last 10 years. If anyone has tried them in heavy service i would like to know the results as well. Vic
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Andy Howard
Delco Voyager Batteries
Thanks for eveyones responses so far, but I guess I should have been more specific. "Neverland" is set up with 4 battery banks using 2 "low end" Guest 2610 3 stage smart chargers. Banks 3 and 4 are my house or anchoring out supply consisting of 2 6v T105s for #3 and a group 31 for #4. From a standard 4 way switch the wiring goes directly to my DC panel and can only start the engine with compression removed. I also use these banks at the dock to run the ref. durring the week. Banks 1 and 2 are my engine batteries and the ones I'm thinking about using the Voyagers for. They are located in what my kids refer to as the dungeon, a fairly inaccessable very deep cockpit locker. They get fairly light use, starting the engine and running the electronics while sailing. From what Vic said about his Delco's in light use they seem ideal and they'll keep me out of the dungeon. BTW, this is an inherited system from the former owner, it seems to work great for us as we like to spend 2 or 3 days anchored out on weekends, but I welcome any suggestions as this will be a good time to do any overhauls.
Thanks for eveyones responses so far, but I guess I should have been more specific. "Neverland" is set up with 4 battery banks using 2 "low end" Guest 2610 3 stage smart chargers. Banks 3 and 4 are my house or anchoring out supply consisting of 2 6v T105s for #3 and a group 31 for #4. From a standard 4 way switch the wiring goes directly to my DC panel and can only start the engine with compression removed. I also use these banks at the dock to run the ref. durring the week. Banks 1 and 2 are my engine batteries and the ones I'm thinking about using the Voyagers for. They are located in what my kids refer to as the dungeon, a fairly inaccessable very deep cockpit locker. They get fairly light use, starting the engine and running the electronics while sailing. From what Vic said about his Delco's in light use they seem ideal and they'll keep me out of the dungeon. BTW, this is an inherited system from the former owner, it seems to work great for us as we like to spend 2 or 3 days anchored out on weekends, but I welcome any suggestions as this will be a good time to do any overhauls.
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Ed Schenck
Don't like it Andy.
I understand it but don't like it. The previous owner probably added batteries as funds permitted. And since you should not mix batteries(of types OR ages) he went with additional banks. Now if YOUR funds permit you could fix this. I would install one good starter battery, probably an AGM(like the Voyager) that I could hide and forget. Then I would build a good house bank. I really like my four Prevailer gels, four years under all kinds of canvas, lines, and other junk. I haven't even seen them since I installed them. And I rarely charge them during the winter, only by accident when I work on the boat. But maybe one of your banks is fairly new and you just want to add that type, like the T105s. But as I said, most experts do not like to mix batteries of different ages. My charger(Freedom 20) and alternator work through a combiner. Both banks are kept topped off even though they are isolated from each other. No switches to throw, nothing to remember. I turn the battery switch from OFF to #2 when I go aboard. Battery #1 is the starter battery and almost never used, not even for starting.
I understand it but don't like it. The previous owner probably added batteries as funds permitted. And since you should not mix batteries(of types OR ages) he went with additional banks. Now if YOUR funds permit you could fix this. I would install one good starter battery, probably an AGM(like the Voyager) that I could hide and forget. Then I would build a good house bank. I really like my four Prevailer gels, four years under all kinds of canvas, lines, and other junk. I haven't even seen them since I installed them. And I rarely charge them during the winter, only by accident when I work on the boat. But maybe one of your banks is fairly new and you just want to add that type, like the T105s. But as I said, most experts do not like to mix batteries of different ages. My charger(Freedom 20) and alternator work through a combiner. Both banks are kept topped off even though they are isolated from each other. No switches to throw, nothing to remember. I turn the battery switch from OFF to #2 when I go aboard. Battery #1 is the starter battery and almost never used, not even for starting.
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David
Ed
Ed, where did you get the combiner? What brand? How much? Was the installation straightforward? Thanks
Ed, where did you get the combiner? What brand? How much? Was the installation straightforward? Thanks
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Ed Schenck
For David.
I cannot find an online description of exactly what I have and I did not install it, only reinstalled it when replacing the batteries. But the "Related Link" is very similar to what I have, the 50Amp West Marine model. There is very little wiring involved. Also go to YAHOO and use "WEST BATTERY COMBINER" as a search argument. There are some testimonials there.
I cannot find an online description of exactly what I have and I did not install it, only reinstalled it when replacing the batteries. But the "Related Link" is very similar to what I have, the 50Amp West Marine model. There is very little wiring involved. Also go to YAHOO and use "WEST BATTERY COMBINER" as a search argument. There are some testimonials there.
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