Just replacing the agms would be the simpler solution by far. I don't have space under the companionway stairs for group 31s so I would have to relocate them. My third battery is under the berth in the aft cabin now. We don't have a Sam's club so the best option for me would be Canadian Tire Nautilus batteries (Exide). The group 31s are currently $399 Canadian plus a $20 core charge. The Group 24s are $311 plus a $20 core charge. The cheapest option is Costco for Energizer group 24s where they are $299 for group 24s plus a $20 core charge. The Wattcycle 100 Ah LiPO4 group 24 batteries are $249 Canadian with free shipping. I get an additional 5% off if I buy more than one. They also weigh half as much. Hence my dilemma.
Thoughts on replacing 9 year old agm batteries on a B323
- Thread starter Phil Mac
- Start date
My solar panels are up on the bimini where I can's see them
My wife built some really nice frames out of sunbrella and the panels are black but I get your point. Our club skews older with some really lovely classic boats. A lot of my fellow sailors already think I have an ugly boat
That is an attractive price point for the LI batteries vs your cost for AGM's. The weight difference is very appealing too. I was telling @jssailem that last time I replaced my batteries, I just about broke my back hauling four AGMs from Sams to the boat and returning the cores back to Sams for credit. Hopefully my AGMs will last a few more years; at that time I will re-eval the cost of converting to LI.
Yep, if you plug into shore power every night or even every couple nights, LFP aren't really necessary. If you live on a mooring or are without shore power altogether like I was, having oodles of battery power for several days is bliss.
Flooded batteries are still an alternative to AGM. For decades all we had were flooded batteries, many still use them, especially the "golf cart" batteries. Aside from routine maintenance of keeping them topped off, they work fine for several years and are cheap. It might be a cheap way to defer until the rapidly changing LFP situation settles down.
Allegedly LFP batteries will last many years longer than AGM or FLA, but we haven't had them around long enough to be sure.
LFP batteries have been around now for about 15-20 years, the longevity of a good set of well maintained LFP batteries as compared to LA batteries. is no longer being seriously disputed.
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If I want to fork out for the pure lead agms, the group 31 is $699 and it weighs 63 pounds. Lugging heavy batteries around is definitely something to avoid. I leave my agms disconnected and on the boat for the winter. I don't miss my past days of hauling flooded batteries off the boat in the winter and then back on the boat in the spring. I'm not looking forward to hauling another set of agms around either. In any direction. The one under the berth is especially awkward.
Hmm, the early adopters probably have separate BMS and are responsible about charging. I suspect most of the problems we will see in LFP failure will be the BMS in drop in batteries now that there is a lot of pressure to produce batteries cheaper than the competition.LFP batteries have been around now for about 15-20 years, the longevity of a good set of well maintained LFP batteries as compared to LA batteries. is no longer being seriously disputed.
Happy 15th Birthday to my LiFePo4 Battery - Marine How To
5-10-2024 is my LiFePo4 packs 15th Birthday!! Rather than type everything with 1 finger I have decided to try Video. About this Bank: I purchased these cells in September of 2009 from Balquon Corp, a subsidiary of Winston/Thundersky Battery that was basedmarinehowto.com
I would have a hard time giving up the charging and convenience of agm batteries. One of the batteries is not really all that easily accessible either. When I just looked a Nautilus group 31, 105Ah battery was $279 Canadian plus a $20 core charge. I could probably find something cheaper though if I looked. Not sure I want to go back to FLA though.
We have a nice cruising area with some lovely National Park islands and some attractive anchorages. We avoid marinas when we cruise. The park islands can be busy enough sometimes without being at a dock in the summer. Most of the Park islands also forbid generator charging. Having enough power is indeed pleasant and not having to keep looking at how much battery charge you have left or worrying about what power you are using makes the experience much nicer. I do have the luxury of having power at my slip when I return.
I really appreciate the input. Thanks to those that replied. Lots of food for thought. I think my first step is to call my insurance company and find out what is required by them. I may be more comfortable with LiFePO4 batteries than they are
As always, with LFP batteries and systems you will get what you pay for. And there are always people who claim to have a better mousetrap that is contrary to what are accepted good practices with LFP. Listen to the people who know their stuff, Rod Collins, Peter Kennedy at PKYS, the folks at Ocean Planet Energy, Pacific Yacht Systems, to name a few. It is also important to see beyond the marketing hype and understand that "Drop-In" means the physical size of the battery is about the same as a standard battery size.
The upfront costs of a lithium conversion can be steep, however when amortized over the life of the battery, it is not very much.