Hi all,
Got another question in regards to batteries for this learned group. As I have posted before, I have a set of optima blue top 34M batteries in the Newport 28-2 I picked up a few months ago. In looking through the very limited log book that came with the boat, I found an entry that stated one of the batteries had been replaced in 2011. So I have been concerned with the current condition of the batteries. I was just going to replace them with another set of blue tops, but after seeing the prices, I decided I better see just what condition the existing batteries were in before I made a decission. I already had a load tester, and used it on the batteries. Both batteries passed, not real high on the scale, but they did pass. Now knowing that deep cycle batteries are designed for a much lower discharge rate, I figured I better test the batteries at a lower discharge rate. I do not have a constant current load, so the best I could come up with is a constant wattage load. Not perfect by any means, but it would at least give me a general idea of the batteries condition. I took a small inverter, and a 50 watt light bulb and hooked it up to each battery, turned it on, and let it run. The load was a little high at approx. 4 Amps, but close enough for what I wanted. The first battery (no date sticker on it) didn't fair too well. After approx. 12 hrs, it had dropped the battery voltage to 10.4 volts. At this time I stopped the test. On the newer battery ( date sticker of 2011) I performed the same test. After the same 12hr test, the battery voltage was still at 11.5V. So with all of that said, it looks like I still have some life left in the newer of the two batteries, and the older battery will definitely have to be replaced.
The interesting thing about these batteries, is they sat in some level of discharge for long periods of time. As best I can tell, the boat had not been out of the slip more than about 25 times in the last 10 years, and the boat was not connected to shore power, does not have a battery charger on board, nor does it have any solar. I will be installing a Pro Mariner Pro Sport 20A charger to keep the batteries charged between uses. This particular charger has a setting specifically for AGM batteries.
The Optima batteries are nice in that they are spill proof, they do not normally off gas, and they seem to have a pretty long life. But they are expensive. The best price I have been able to find is over. $200.00 each. Well over twice the price of a normal wet cell battery.
Well, that about sums it up on the battery issue. Guess I now have to make a decision as to what type of battery I want to put back in the boat.
Mitch
Got another question in regards to batteries for this learned group. As I have posted before, I have a set of optima blue top 34M batteries in the Newport 28-2 I picked up a few months ago. In looking through the very limited log book that came with the boat, I found an entry that stated one of the batteries had been replaced in 2011. So I have been concerned with the current condition of the batteries. I was just going to replace them with another set of blue tops, but after seeing the prices, I decided I better see just what condition the existing batteries were in before I made a decission. I already had a load tester, and used it on the batteries. Both batteries passed, not real high on the scale, but they did pass. Now knowing that deep cycle batteries are designed for a much lower discharge rate, I figured I better test the batteries at a lower discharge rate. I do not have a constant current load, so the best I could come up with is a constant wattage load. Not perfect by any means, but it would at least give me a general idea of the batteries condition. I took a small inverter, and a 50 watt light bulb and hooked it up to each battery, turned it on, and let it run. The load was a little high at approx. 4 Amps, but close enough for what I wanted. The first battery (no date sticker on it) didn't fair too well. After approx. 12 hrs, it had dropped the battery voltage to 10.4 volts. At this time I stopped the test. On the newer battery ( date sticker of 2011) I performed the same test. After the same 12hr test, the battery voltage was still at 11.5V. So with all of that said, it looks like I still have some life left in the newer of the two batteries, and the older battery will definitely have to be replaced.
The interesting thing about these batteries, is they sat in some level of discharge for long periods of time. As best I can tell, the boat had not been out of the slip more than about 25 times in the last 10 years, and the boat was not connected to shore power, does not have a battery charger on board, nor does it have any solar. I will be installing a Pro Mariner Pro Sport 20A charger to keep the batteries charged between uses. This particular charger has a setting specifically for AGM batteries.
The Optima batteries are nice in that they are spill proof, they do not normally off gas, and they seem to have a pretty long life. But they are expensive. The best price I have been able to find is over. $200.00 each. Well over twice the price of a normal wet cell battery.
Well, that about sums it up on the battery issue. Guess I now have to make a decision as to what type of battery I want to put back in the boat.
Mitch