Time for new batteries

[Team118]

Well, I think I've coaxed by 2 Walmart Maxx--29's for as long as I can...

They have lasted me 5 years, but they weren't holding a charge by the end of the season and many times I was forced to switch to the reserve to get the engine started.

The 2 batteries have a 114 AH rating. So I had 228 AH available w/o the single reserve battery...also a Maxx-29

I was thinking of switching to Trojan T-105's. The original batteries were located under the nav table.

I believe I can fit 4 105's down there (posts stbd to port) which would give 450 AH at 12v

I was trying to think of a way to go with 6 and I was wondering if that was overkill. I do not have refrigeration, air conditioning or hot water.

If I did go with 6, where would I put the other 2? They would have to be apart from the original 4 and I thought you were supposed to keep battery banks together... I was also concerned with the weight. With 6, that would be 360 lbs on the port side...bad enough that 4 would weigh 240.

Maybe I answered my own questions and I should just stick with 4 T-105's.

My charging setup currently has the alternator off my Atomic 4 hooked directly to the house bank (original alt) I use a Xantrex 40 charger for both banks, which has 3 stages.

Thanks
Chris

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

I do not have refrigeration, air conditioning or hot water.

Any idea where your energy is disappearing to. Without these amp eaters on board, you should be good for a loooooooong time between re-charges.

We have two Trojan 115 AH house batteries and can hang off the hook for three to four days and that's with refrigeration and hot water (although I don't see how hot water affects the batteries).

I would suggest you do an electrical inventory of power consumption before you up your capacity to 600+ AH.

The ultimate, of course, would be to install a battery monitor and see what really goes on in there. I think you'll find your batteries have been near dead for a number of years.

 

[DanM]

Chris,

I've gotten almost three years out of my Sam's club 6v Golf Cart batteries, and they are pretty inexpensive compared to the Trojans and still test like new. I have two of them and a 12v starting battery all under my nav station and it's a pretty tight fit. I'd love to have four, but with the hand full of overnight trips I do and the fact that my boat lives year round in a slip with shore power there is a hardly a need for them. The golf cart bank will run my typical needs (which sound much like yours) for a couple of days without drawing them down below 50%. I do not have refrigeration though.

I agree with Ralph on the battery monitor, the Victron is inexpensive and worth it in my opinion. I'd put the extra dollars their first, prior to adding more batteries.

Oh, and I think you could seperate the batteries around your boat any way you'd like. Just gets expensive in cables!

DanM.

 

[Team118]

Thanks guys.

I think you may be right, the current batteries may not be at their best...

Perhaps I won't try to kill myself and just go with the set of 4. I believe I can get a good wholesale price on the Trojans through a friend which would help with some of the cost.

I also have the Victron installation on my March to do list.

I appreciate the time!
Chris

 

[jrowan]

I agree with Dan about the price of Sams Club batteries. Their price is pretty good & their Duracell line of deep cells have been reliable for me. If you don't have refrigeration or any major power draws, then I think that 6 batteries, or even 4 is overkill. I would keep it as simple as possible. Two heavy duty deep cells will likely meet your needs for years & are a lot cheaper to install, weigh less, & are easier to maintain. With the huge amp hour battery bank that you're talking about adding, you'll likely also need to upgrade your alternator to handle the charging load that they'll require. The stock alternator can easily handle the current 2 battery setup. My setup is the same as yours, with two deep cell house batteries & one starter battery. When it comes to most things marine related, I always try to follow the KISS principle. It usually winds up being cheaper & creates less head scratching in the end. I also aways keep an emergency backup jump start battery in the event that batteries get drawn down excessively overnight, or decide to die at the most inopportune moment.