Hi, I just bought a mac 26s and I am fixing it up. The battery it has is dead. What do you recommend to replace it...group 24 or 27? Also how do you keep the battery charged? My other boat has an inboard diesel so I dont need to worry about this much but since I have a 8hp Nissan on the mac I am not sure what is best. thanks, Lori
What kind of battery
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Battery
I have a 26S and I think if you could modify your outboard that would be the best, however In my 26S I just have a single dual purpose type 24, but I only use it for my lights and I don't have to recharge the battery all that often. When I do, I have it stored under the galley sink in an easy to remove battery box so when its time to recharge, I can easily remove it to take home and use the battery charger in my garage. If I were using a lot of electronics and drawing a lot of power I'd look into small solar panel or something that may be a bit more convenient.
I have a 26S and I think if you could modify your outboard that would be the best, however In my 26S I just have a single dual purpose type 24, but I only use it for my lights and I don't have to recharge the battery all that often. When I do, I have it stored under the galley sink in an easy to remove battery box so when its time to recharge, I can easily remove it to take home and use the battery charger in my garage. If I were using a lot of electronics and drawing a lot of power I'd look into small solar panel or something that may be a bit more convenient.
Our battery solution
We put marine deep cycle (wet cell), rated at 100 amp hours under the V berth. It's in a plastic battery box that is bolted in place. That space under the galley is "prime real estate" when you're cruising... We have a 15 watt solar panel which charges it during the week. We tend to sail on weekends and have never run out of power. We run depth, speed, VHF and autopilot. At anchor, we limit use of internal lighting at night and our anchor light only draws 50ma. This has also worked on one and two week cruises, although we are usually in a slip every 4 or 5 days - where I use a deep cycle "automatic" charger. The charger usually drops off charge (to maintainence) after only a couple of minutes. We are thinking of switching to a 30 watt solar panel. The new monocrystaline units are actually a bit smaller than our 15 watt one (but 3 times the price). That's enough juice to run most of the electronics directly from the panel and still trickle charge the battery. Chris
We put marine deep cycle (wet cell), rated at 100 amp hours under the V berth. It's in a plastic battery box that is bolted in place. That space under the galley is "prime real estate" when you're cruising... We have a 15 watt solar panel which charges it during the week. We tend to sail on weekends and have never run out of power. We run depth, speed, VHF and autopilot. At anchor, we limit use of internal lighting at night and our anchor light only draws 50ma. This has also worked on one and two week cruises, although we are usually in a slip every 4 or 5 days - where I use a deep cycle "automatic" charger. The charger usually drops off charge (to maintainence) after only a couple of minutes. We are thinking of switching to a 30 watt solar panel. The new monocrystaline units are actually a bit smaller than our 15 watt one (but 3 times the price). That's enough juice to run most of the electronics directly from the panel and still trickle charge the battery. Chris
What we have.
We put marine deep cycle (wet cell), rated at 100 amp hours under the V berth. It's in a plastic battery box that is bolted in place. That space under the galley is "prime real estate" when you're cruising... We have a 15 watt solar panel which charges it during the week. We tend to sail on weekends and have never run out of power. We run depth, speed, VHF and autopilot. At anchor, we limit use of internal lighting at night and our anchor light only draws 50ma. This has also worked on one and two week cruises, although we are usually in a slip every 4 or 5 days - where I use a deep cycle "automatic" charger. The charger usually drops off charge (to maintainence) after only a couple of minutes. We are thinking of switching to a 30 watt solar panel. The new monocrystaline units are actually a bit smaller than our 15 watt one (but 3 times the price). That's enough juice to run most of the electronics directly from the panel and still trickle charge the battery. Chris
We put marine deep cycle (wet cell), rated at 100 amp hours under the V berth. It's in a plastic battery box that is bolted in place. That space under the galley is "prime real estate" when you're cruising... We have a 15 watt solar panel which charges it during the week. We tend to sail on weekends and have never run out of power. We run depth, speed, VHF and autopilot. At anchor, we limit use of internal lighting at night and our anchor light only draws 50ma. This has also worked on one and two week cruises, although we are usually in a slip every 4 or 5 days - where I use a deep cycle "automatic" charger. The charger usually drops off charge (to maintainence) after only a couple of minutes. We are thinking of switching to a 30 watt solar panel. The new monocrystaline units are actually a bit smaller than our 15 watt one (but 3 times the price). That's enough juice to run most of the electronics directly from the panel and still trickle charge the battery. Chris
How do you convert your outboard to a charger?
Thanks for the comments. How do you convert your outboard engine to be a charger? I was unaware that this could be done. Any suggestions for where to get a good, inexpensive deep cycle battery. I dont plan on staying about just yet so my power needs will be low I think. Might look into a solar charger too though to keep things topped off. Lori
Thanks for the comments. How do you convert your outboard engine to be a charger? I was unaware that this could be done. Any suggestions for where to get a good, inexpensive deep cycle battery. I dont plan on staying about just yet so my power needs will be low I think. Might look into a solar charger too though to keep things topped off. Lori
Deep cycle golf cart batteries
Golf cart batteries can be a very good option for a sailboat. I got two batteries less than a year old from a golf cart place for $25 each. New they were about $70. The pair weigh 80 pounds (good ballast). But do a search on "deep cycle batteries" and you'll get an education. In a nutshell it's this: Practically all of the "deep cycle marine" batteries are hybrid batteries. In other words they have coarse porous plates instead of the solid plates of a true deep cycle battery. The battery used in your auto has fine pore plates which gives more surface area for more short duration motor cranking punch. Golf cart batteries have solid plates. The "marine deep cycle" battery is a compromise between starting power and ability to stand up to repeated deep discharge cycles.
Golf cart batteries can be a very good option for a sailboat. I got two batteries less than a year old from a golf cart place for $25 each. New they were about $70. The pair weigh 80 pounds (good ballast). But do a search on "deep cycle batteries" and you'll get an education. In a nutshell it's this: Practically all of the "deep cycle marine" batteries are hybrid batteries. In other words they have coarse porous plates instead of the solid plates of a true deep cycle battery. The battery used in your auto has fine pore plates which gives more surface area for more short duration motor cranking punch. Golf cart batteries have solid plates. The "marine deep cycle" battery is a compromise between starting power and ability to stand up to repeated deep discharge cycles.
AGM for me
I have an Optima Bluetop AGM battery. They don't outgas so they are safer in confined areas. They also self-discharge much less than conventional batteries and can't freeze. I've heard that the golf cart batteries are a good idea. I think they are 6volt and you need a couple in series to get 12v.
I have an Optima Bluetop AGM battery. They don't outgas so they are safer in confined areas. They also self-discharge much less than conventional batteries and can't freeze. I've heard that the golf cart batteries are a good idea. I think they are 6volt and you need a couple in series to get 12v.
your choice
We're covering a wide variation of weight and space - all good ideas. Charging multiple batteries is a course in itself. You need to decide how much you depend on your DC power and choose the best option.
We're covering a wide variation of weight and space - all good ideas. Charging multiple batteries is a course in itself. You need to decide how much you depend on your DC power and choose the best option.
optima gel
based on nightsailors recommendations, next time I buy new batteries, I'm getting the optima gel deep cycle battery. he reports they last a long time, take a full discharge, and have no fumes, and of course never need water. (adding water is a royal pain, as mine are under the sink) however, I'm penny wise today... 2 grp 27 deep cycles from walmart (cost $55 each) vs the 120 estimated cost for 1 optima... (I'm getting 2 years out of them) sure 6v golf batts are great... in a benetau or morgan, where you have the room. (who puts 2 of them in a macgregor?)
based on nightsailors recommendations, next time I buy new batteries, I'm getting the optima gel deep cycle battery. he reports they last a long time, take a full discharge, and have no fumes, and of course never need water. (adding water is a royal pain, as mine are under the sink) however, I'm penny wise today... 2 grp 27 deep cycles from walmart (cost $55 each) vs the 120 estimated cost for 1 optima... (I'm getting 2 years out of them) sure 6v golf batts are great... in a benetau or morgan, where you have the room. (who puts 2 of them in a macgregor?)
same source - different opinion
From the source YY provided - Regarding AGM batteries: "Thus their greatest benefit is for installations where it is hard or impossible to ventilate charging fumes such as the interiors of sail boats." "The AGM is a true no maintenance battery. It otherwise has similar characteristics as the standard lead-acid battery. They have yet to see much use in boats, probably due to the higher cost." Sounds like the author really recommends true, deep cycle batteries. "Golf Cart batteries are generally a quasi-deep cycle similar to marine, and though not as good as batteries with solid plates, they are better than the auto/marine types."
From the source YY provided - Regarding AGM batteries: "Thus their greatest benefit is for installations where it is hard or impossible to ventilate charging fumes such as the interiors of sail boats." "The AGM is a true no maintenance battery. It otherwise has similar characteristics as the standard lead-acid battery. They have yet to see much use in boats, probably due to the higher cost." Sounds like the author really recommends true, deep cycle batteries. "Golf Cart batteries are generally a quasi-deep cycle similar to marine, and though not as good as batteries with solid plates, they are better than the auto/marine types."
thanks
for the info. My point was, based on the article there is a concern regarding out-gassing and the AGM design solves that. They are not deep cycle batteries however, my quote from above; "It otherwise has similar characteristics as the standard lead-acid battery." says that. The article says that true deep cycle batteries are the best choice for capacity but they don't play well with inverters. Golf cart batteries as I said above, "I've heard that the golf cart batteries are a good idea." may be the best compromise but charging multiple batteries takes some thinking. It still comes down to; How much capacity you need? How much do you want to spend? Is maintenance, storage or safety an issue? It's your choice. You have options.
for the info. My point was, based on the article there is a concern regarding out-gassing and the AGM design solves that. They are not deep cycle batteries however, my quote from above; "It otherwise has similar characteristics as the standard lead-acid battery." says that. The article says that true deep cycle batteries are the best choice for capacity but they don't play well with inverters. Golf cart batteries as I said above, "I've heard that the golf cart batteries are a good idea." may be the best compromise but charging multiple batteries takes some thinking. It still comes down to; How much capacity you need? How much do you want to spend? Is maintenance, storage or safety an issue? It's your choice. You have options.
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