-
Another Battery Thread
Yeah, I know, but I need to purchase 4, 8V batteries ASAP. Problem is, there just aren't very many places in this area to purchase them. So far, all I've been able to come up with are AC Delco GC8V 79 amp golf cart batteries which run $139 each. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
-
Re: Another Battery Thread
Randy, those are about as good a deal as you would find, I suspect. You could also try the Trojan battery web site, looking for a dealer; I think they make 8v golf cart batteries.
-
Re: Another Battery Thread
Or,,,, get across the hall NOW!!! Or you go to the corner. The bell has rung... ws
-
Re: Another Battery Thread
OOH ! OOH ! Replace both banks and drive that boat home on the starter motor(s) ! ws
http://i56.tinypic.com/ojl00.jpg
Ol' cap'n Randy got that Chevallay truck loaded up with fresh used batteries from around the county. Shore do steer easy !
-
Re: Another Battery Thread
So what's the scoop on golf cart batteries? Seems I've seen stories about them blowing up and doing all sorts of things I could do without as I have enough drama in my life right now. Yes, I want/need to save $$$ where I can, but not at the expense of having to do it again real soon and/or having my eyebrows removed.
-
Re: Another Battery Thread
Golf cart batteries are fine. They are used all the time in trawler and sailboat applications, they cycle them down to flat and recharge them hundreds of times; they are made for it. Just get them from a good manufacturer, you should be fine. The trick is finding 8 volt ones; most golf carts use multiples of 6 volts.
-
Re: Another Battery Thread
Randy, probably a more costly alternative, but hopefully not a repetitive one, I called RAE Battery in CT per Sky's suggestion and bought Rolls batteries at $430ish a piece. They shipped to MI for $145 (for 8 LTL freight). Hopefully I am set for awhile.
-
Re: Another Battery Thread
Golf cart batteries will work, just be aware they are deep cycle batteries designed for a specific purpose, they aren't mearnt for heavy duty cranking required for deisel engines. Hit a week golf cart battery with a heavy load, and they go pop.
-
Re: Another Battery Thread
Thanks, but $430'ish is a bit more than I'd want to invest given I'm not likely to be in this for the long run. Just gotta get the ole' gal home, and I'm seriously considering anchoring it at my lake lot where I'm living. Might even raft her up alongside the 41' as it's going to be a long, hard winter. It's getting more and more difficult to justify, let alone afford, paying to keep these things in marinas.
-
Re: Another Battery Thread
I use 8v golf carts in my 70 footer, I have 2 banks , each with 8 of the 8v golf cart batts, works just fine, 4 yrs and going strong. Price here in Canada is about 135.00 also. Mine are Globelite 175 amp. , use to be able to get Trojans.
-
Re: Another Battery Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Boatnut
Golf cart batteries will work, just be aware they are deep cycle batteries designed for a specific purpose, they aren't mearnt for heavy duty cranking required for deisel engines. Hit a week golf cart battery with a heavy load, and they go pop.
Yeah, the amperage rating on the ones I found worried me. Given my boat has 12V71N's, I'm assuming they pull quite a bit.
-
Re: Another Battery Thread
Thats why I use 8 batts instead of 4 in the bank, I have 12 71's also.
-
Re: Another Battery Thread
Just got off the phone with a local dealer who priced me Deka East Penn 8V195's for $250 each. Willy shot me a link to an outfit in Miami that had the same battery for $237.87, but their phone doesn't work. I'm assuming their prices would not include freight. Waiting for a call back to see how long it would take to get them. Any comments on this particular battery?
He also priced a U. S. Battery 11-4-1 for $350 each. Not sure if it would be worth spending the extra in my situation.
-
Re: Another Battery Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Canuck Dennis
Thats why I use 8 batts instead of 4 in the bank, I have 12 71's also.
Not to be argumentative, but what is the advantage of carrying 8 batteries vs 4?
Seems to me the cost difference would balance out and save a heck of a lot of space in the ER, not to mention the wear and tear on your back getting them in and out. The extra weight would have to be a negative as well.
-
Re: Another Battery Thread
8V195's are excellent batteries and the most bang for the buck. That is what I used in my 58. They are designed as starting batteries, which is what you want. Golf cart batteries will work, but as stated above they are designed to be deep cycle batteries NOT starting batteries. That is the reason Cannuck Dennis uses 8 golf cart batteries, so that he can be sure to have enough starting power for 12v71's. Especially since your 12v71's do not get run regularly, they may require longer cranking than usual so I would stick with starting batteries.
-
Re: Another Battery Thread
I had 8v195's for the first 4 or 5 years that we owned the boat. They worked great but I wanted to find the battery that would last the longest so I didn't have to replace them as often so I went with the Rolls. In your case, I would stay away from the golf cart batts and get the 8v195's. It really is a starting application and I would be afraid of melting the terminals off of the GC batts.
-
Re: Another Battery Thread
Finally got through to that outfit in Miami who had the 8V195's listed for $237.87. Turns out the freight is going to run $157.49. Buying them locally for $250 plus tax would result in a net savings of $13.97, but it would cost me that in fuel to drive to Knoxville and pick them up. This of course assumes they don't charge sales tax on an interstate shipment.
Big thing is they have them in stock, and I have yet to hear back from the local supplier as to how long it will take for him to get the batteries. I'll make my final decision on Monday as to which way to go, but I'm going to go with this particular battery. I've got to have the 58 through Watts Bar lock no later than October 12 when it closes for maintenance. BTW, here is a link to the outfit in Miami.
http://www.atlanticbatteryinc.com/Ma...0Batteries.htm
-
Re: Another Battery Thread
Just to set the record straight, mine are starting batteries, were called golf cart due to size and looks similarity, sorry if confusing.
4 yrs now and no problems, cranking draw is approx 700 amps on ea engine that's why I use a bank of 8, you do not get 4x195 amps when tied together, so, I use 8. and I use one bank as house when not cruising, constavolt keeps it in good condition.
-
Re: Another Battery Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Freeebird
Just got off the phone with a local dealer who priced me Deka East Penn 8V195's for $250 each. Willy shot me a link to an outfit in Miami that had the same battery for $237.87, but their phone doesn't work. I'm assuming their prices would not include freight. Waiting for a call back to see how long it would take to get them. Any comments on this particular battery?
He also priced a U. S. Battery 11-4-1 for $350 each. Not sure if it would be worth spending the extra in my situation.
YER WELCOME Capn' Bubba!! ws
http://i53.tinypic.com/141nszm.jpg
-
Re: Another Battery Thread
FWIW... those 12s probably take 1000 CCAs when first engaged. Thats a doozy of a cigar lighter there! ws
-
Re: Another Battery Thread
Bird give me a call. I will see if my guys here have them. I got them for Todd a few years back for about $160 each.
-
Re: Another Battery Thread
I am kinda simple sometimes.
Why would any 71, crank harder then or require more amperage any other 71?? 2,4,6,8,or 12?
Kiwi
-
Re: Another Battery Thread
Simple math KIWI... the initial roll and then continued cranking for compression heat. Kinda like the same reason my Harley battery wont start my truck, but different! ws
-
Re: Another Battery Thread
O.K., but the starter never has to overcome more then one compression event at a time.
Would'nt any of the 71's start after a similar amount of compression events?
The only difference between them being number of compression events per revelution, meaning the 4 cylinder would require more revelutions, before start then a 12 cylinder, but either would start after a like amount of compression strokes?
I'm asking.
Kiwi
-
Re: Another Battery Thread
It just came to Me, Dragging 12 pistons up and down thru 12 cylinders would require more amperage then just 6, then the extra mass of "initial roll". . . .
Nevermind, carry on with the cheapest battery thread.
Kiwi
-
Re: Another Battery Thread
I dunno... it just seems like the effort required to spin more mass, inclusive of additional oiled surfaces with cold oil especially, would require more hutzpah!
A cold 2-71 pump for instance mite spin over 2 or 3 times and fire. A 12 banger; well, it only seems logical. (?) When the 12s are warm, they fire off with a click on the starter. At 50F ambient they may have to roll for 10-15 seconds, and 3-4 attempts till the governor gets oil pressure.
Now ad something here Dave. On a cold start, mine will fire for 2-3 turns then stall. Second attempt is a little hunting, then stall again. Third attempt is a 5 second run with hunting, then BINGO; they stay running with a 200 rpm hunt till oil pressure (?) picks up. It always seemed to me that the rack/buffer is held in position by the pressure somewhat. Can you clarify that for me? Thanks... ws
-
Re: Another Battery Thread
ARGHHH ! Ya snuck that one in on me! Get that 2-71 pump primed and ready with a good battery. Youll need it for the "crest". Howz that looking BTW??? ws
-
Re: Another Battery Thread
I talked to the guy at Atlantic too when on my recent battery hunt. Seemed like good people. I ended up getting my 8v195 Dekas for the starboard side from a local Batteries Plus outlet for the same price. The sales tax about offset the freight (FL to NC).
They light up my 8V92TIs instantly. The port/house bank is beginning to fade. I'd really like to replace them with Rolls, will have to start pricing those. Otherwise I may default to the higher amp hour 819s that are in there now. Another thought is to go with golf carts and use the parallel function for starting. That just sounds funky having such a mish mash though. How my evil Sentry charger wold handle two different charge characteristics, I don't know. I am already wondering if the accelerating demise of the port bank is due to having 8v195s on one side and 819s on the other.
-
Re: Another Battery Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Boatsb
Bird give me a call. I will see if my guys here have them. I got them for Todd a few years back for about $160 each.
Thanks Scott, I'll do that.
-
Re: Another Battery Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by
yachtsmanbill
FWIW... those 12s probably take 1000 CCAs when first engaged. Thats a doozy of a cigar lighter there! ws
I think it 's more like 1750 CCA MT41s, the likely starter for 12s.
-
Re: Another Battery Thread
I was looking for 8v195s earlier this year. The Penn battery guy said that, basically, the 195 is a really old design and that modern GCs pack just as much punch. I ended up getting GCs at Sams Club for about $70 each. I parallel two banks for starting to spread the load. My old set has four years on it and they're going strong. The new ones seem to work just fine, too.
That's with 671s.
-
Re: Another Battery Thread
Also, NEAL'S APPLIANCE AND TIRE" in Killen, AL reportedly has Interstate 4 D batteries 8 vdc, 560ampsfor $100 ea, and tractor batteries 8 vdc 560 amps for $95.00.
-
Re: Another Battery Thread
So if you usually use the parallel switch to start haven't you already screwed up the system since you do not have a back up anymore.
GC batteries are not for starting. If they were they would be sold as starting not deep cycle low amperage/time discharge batteries. Hatteras knew how to make these boats solid and long lasting. They put in high quality components for a reason. Cheaping out on GC batteries only saves you money if you never need the full power of your starting batteries in an emergency. What will you do when you have an incident and damage or lose the vessel because you could not start the engines on the walfart discount batteries.
Would you put in cheaper fuel if it is not really up to spec but close? Do you use cheap oil in the engines? Why take the chance?
-
Re: Another Battery Thread
I figure the penn battery guy (penn makes Deka batteries fwiw) might know a thing or two about his product. YMMV.
I'm unclear how tying two battery banks together for more oomph can screw anything up. Maybe my boats never got the memo. They've never seemed to mind where their starting juice came from.
Many people have much success running GCs. I've had them last up to 7 years without incident; about as long as the last set of Dekas lasted. If you're a religious devotee of something else, more power to ya (pun intended). But it was my understanding that bird was looking for cheap options.
-
Re: Another Battery Thread
My point is the parallel switch is for emergency starting when a bank is week or failed. I have one and test it monthly but do not need it to start my engines. If the standard practice is to start on both banks with the switch the backup system is no longer there. If a bank goes down what will you do?
I had a marina and repaired boats for years and NEVER took shortcuts especially with boats that ran offshore. My neighbor was the interstate distributor and was very good about explaining the battery technologies and how each was designed for a purpose. I got into the habit of converting many boats from smaller batteries to 8D's for better reserves and because they were more durable than the cheap marine ones. We never used deep cycles for starting. If we had a dual purpose bank we would make it bigger with more starting batteries to it.
-
Re: Another Battery Thread
Reading what you wrote there, it's almost as if you feel it's somehow damaging or hazardous to temporarily parallel battery banks in anything but an emergency start situation. Well, though I don't "need to," I've been doing it for ages without any ill effects. But you're welcome to do whatever you like on your boat.
-
Re: Another Battery Thread
Seems there was a thread mentioning someone had a battery blow up, all kinds of discussion ensued over it. Memory serving me correctly it was a GC battery.
FWIW, there are very few compnaies manufacturing batteries. They are built to the specifications of the purchaser, needless to say you get what you pay for.
I guess it's at personal choice sleep, take a chance and sleep with an extra dollar or 2 in your wallet, or sleep knowing things will work when needed.
Spending thousands of hours trouble shooting battery and battery charger problems, I'm sure I haven't seen all the cheap short cuts, but I have seen plenty of damage caused by the ones used to save a few bucks. As the saying goes pay your money and takes your chances. LOL
-
Re: Another Battery Thread
Oh, no doubt batteries fail. Over here, the dead battery pile this year had at least a dozen examples of catastrophic 12v battery failures--8Ds, 4Ds, and several others with burned off lugs, cracked cases, etc. Most notable was one brand new set of extremely large (8D?) 8v batts that apparently exploded and caught fire. But that wouldn't scare me away from using them if it ever becomes apparent that the GCs are inadequate.
-
Re: Another Battery Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by
q240z
Reading what you wrote there, it's almost as if you feel it's somehow damaging or hazardous to temporarily parallel battery banks in anything but an emergency start situation. Well, though I don't "need to," I've been doing it for ages without any ill effects. But you're welcome to do whatever you like on your boat.
So if you do not need to parallel the batteries to start the engines why do it? What if a bank is bad and by hitting the switch you energize it and ??????
The boats were designed to be able to start a engine on its bank alone. The batteries were chosen to allow that. When you did this "redesign" did you look at the amp draw and the single bank of battery's ability to supply it?
very smart and experienced people at Hatteras designed things to not just be serviceable but to be superb. Many of our systems were designed to have have 40 years of use and are still going. A real Hatteras owner would not cut corners to save a few bucks and leave themselves vulnerable.
FWIW I also sell the lifeline batteries for inverters (deep cycle)and have never considered using them on a starting bank. The make some starting batteries too but not the sizes and capacity needed.
-
Re: Another Battery Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by
q240z
I was looking for 8v195s earlier this year. The Penn battery guy said that, basically, the 195 is a really old design and that modern GCs pack just as much punch. I ended up getting GCs at Sams Club for about $70 each. I parallel two banks for starting to spread the load. My old set has four years on it and they're going strong. The new ones seem to work just fine, too.
That's with 671s.
I must say that if I can get GC batteries for $70 each, that might be hard to pass up in my particular situation. I'll check with Sam's to see if they keep them in stock, but I'm guessing that would be very unlikely in this area. The Interstate distributor in this area doesn't stock them, and that reminds me the local guy hasn't called back about availability of the 8V195's. I have what appears to be a serious cash buyer who is coming to look at the boat this Saturday, so this may become a moot point.
That being said, I will make him the same offer as I did the previous "looker". He can buy whatever batteries he wants, and if the port engine and generator don't peform as expected, I'll buy the batteries and he can walk away if we can't get things straighented out. At least the information I've gotten in this thread has given me some options. For that, I thank you gentlemen.