32 Volt Golf cart batteries to start my 871

[Shaunc]

Has any one used them to start their motors?

I recently had some issues with my 32 volt 8D's and a marine electrician that was doing some insurance work recommended I use 8 volt golf cart batteries to rebuild my port side batteries rather than replacing with the same 8d's. He said the technology has improved over the years and they would work fine.

I had my reservations, but figured he was the expert and let him switch them out. I have had some starting issues with them and had to parallel them to start.

My gut feeling is that I was taken by him and should have just gone with the replacement of the 8d's.

 

[hmccoy99]

I have 4 8v golf cart type batteries in my 58yf with 8 71 they start fine.. no problems

you might check your cables. my cables are 004 large cables with the cable run from the generator room to the starter is about 10ft

 

[Pascal]

They work fine and are a lot easer to carry than 8Ds. Thats what i used for my 8V71Ns. Not sure lead acid technology has improved in the last 10 years...

As mentioned above, make sure the cables are clean and 4/0 including the jumpers. I d get about 4 years out of them with an old ferro charger

 

[jrmccoy]

All my banks on my 53my using 871’s are golf cart type with never a starting problem if well maintained.

 

[Outfitter]

Been starting my 12v71's with Interstate golf cart batteries. Have 4 on each side. Going strong , no problems for 3 yrs. now.

Z. Kirk
Black Hat Affair

 

[kingsley_oasis]

Shaunc
You mention 8D battery in your post. Is that a typo? As 8D should be a 12v battery.

 

[oceanjake]

I use (4) 8v golf cart batteries to start my 12v92's. I'm using Powertron batteries as they are local to me and they offer two different 8v golf carts. The cheap one is $125 and the more expensive is $165. At that price, you can monitor them and toss them for all new more frequently if needed. Mine have been in for a year with no issues to speak of.

Also, there are many on this forum that will tell you that you need Rolls batteries or you are putting your passengers in jeopardy. Take that for what it is.

 

[Shaunc]

Thanks for the input guys, so that at least makes me feel a little better.

We did not change out any cables so that will now be my next thing to go check and make sure they are carrying the load correctly.

 

[scottinsydney]

I have had golf cart batteries 3 years. 8 x golf cart batteries in port ening room. 4 in starboard engine room. Starboard no issues.

Port side did not hold their charge properly and dischagred quickly when used for the house, Port engine started sluggishly. Installed permanent battery desulphator 9 months ago which greatly improved house supply performance and significantly reduced the battery charging time with genset.

Then about a month ago, I went to start port engine and heard only the solenoid click when starter button pushed. I cleaned all terminals on starter motors and "bingo" all problems solved. Engines start instantly. Connections on starter end battery leads were black with age. WD40 sprayed into cable crimps also probably lubricated the dry joints too. All good.

.

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

I have had golf cart batteries 3 years. 8 x golf cart batteries in port ening room. 4 in starboard engine room. Starboard no issues.

Port side did not hold their charge properly and dischagred quickly when used for the house, Port engine started sluggishly. Installed permanent battery desulphator 9 months ago which greatly improved house supply performance and significantly reduced the battery charging time with genset.

Then about a month ago, I went to start port engine and heard only the solenoid click when starter button pushed. I cleaned all terminals on starter motors and "bingo" all problems solved. Engines start instantly. Connections on starter end battery leads were black with age. WD40 sprayed into cable crimps also probably lubricated the dry joints too. All good.

.

Can't think of the name, but I slather all the connections good with the same dielectric grease that Boeing uses. One of my boat neighbors works there and brings me stuff that goes out of spec. Their throttle grease is super good stuff, especially when I boat at -60 F.

 

[scottinsydney]

Ummmm, how does anyone boat at -60F? What do you do? The concept is alien to me. Today on Sydney Harbour we welcome Scarlet and family. The temperature will be 80F meaning a 120 degree difference.

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

Ummmm, how does anyone boat at -60F? What do you do? The concept is alien to me. Today on Sydney Harbour we welcome Scarlet and family. The temperature will be 80F meaning a 120 degree difference.

Anything made or spec'd by Boeing is really extreme good.

 

[scottinsydney]

Sorry to be ambiguous.. how and where do you go boating at -60F. That’s just soooooo cold.

 

[SEVEN]

Ummmm, how does anyone boat at -60F? What do you do? The concept is alien to me. Today on Sydney Harbour we welcome Scarlet and family. The temperature will be 80F meaning a 120 degree difference.

Scott, John and his wife are wonderful people. You will enjoy your visit with them.

 

[RonNP]

Agreed! John and spouse are great people. Have fun and throw a shrimp on the barbie for all of us.

 

[oceanjake]

Agreed! John and spouse are great people. Have fun and throw a shrimp on the barbie for all of us.

I love that this bit of advertising remains after 20 years. While we're at it, "where's the BEEF!".

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

Sorry to be ambiguous.. how and where do you go boating at -60F. That’s just soooooo cold.

The stuff, whatever, Boeing uses to build airplanes must function in extreme conditions. Were I to go boating in -60 F (in my icebreaker), I would certainly want to use products designed to perform in the aforementioned extremes. Since I, and no one I know, go boating in -60 F I will be content to use some products that are way over spec’d for my application inasmuch as they are provided to me at no cost after they are past their useful life viz FAA certification. Hope that clears it up. Cheers

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Also, there are many on this forum that will tell you that you need Rolls batteries or you are putting your passengers in jeopardy. Take that for what it is.

Since this comment seems to be directed at me, I will give you my 2 cents. Golf cart batteries were designed for golf carts. They are deep cycle batteries, not starting batteries. They typically have fewer CCA than a starting battery and smaller terminal connection points as they were not designed to have large loads over short periods pulled but smaller loads over time. Will they work? Obviously, the answer is yes based on the comments here. But, will they last 10-15 years in that application? Probably not. So, the questions you have to ask are?

1) Are you okay with changing out batteries more frequently?
2) Do you want to risk a failure such as a melted terminal when you go to start and you're in some secluded anchorage in the middle of nowhere?
3) Is initial cost and warranty a factor?

I believe that a battery designed as a starting battery is needed in colder climates or if you don't have block heaters. It may not be as critical elsewhere. I also don't like changing batteries and would rather pay more for the ones that last longer and have a better warranty. In the long run, I figure I end up saving money and time and my back. But, others value these things differently.

BTW, Rolls gives you new 4/0 connecting cables and bolts with every set of batteries. And they have flag terminals and not the automotive type so they're easier to connect/disconnect and to keep clean.

 

[oceanjake]

Since this comment seems to be directed at me, I will give you my 2 cents. Golf cart batteries were designed for golf carts. They are deep cycle batteries, not starting batteries. They typically have fewer CCA than a starting battery and smaller terminal connection points as they were not designed to have large loads over short periods pulled but smaller loads over time. Will they work? Obviously, the answer is yes based on the comments here. But, will they last 10-15 years in that application? Probably not. So, the questions you have to ask are?

1) Are you okay with changing out batteries more frequently?
2) Do you want to risk a failure such as a melted terminal when you go to start and you're in some secluded anchorage in the middle of nowhere?
3) Is initial cost and warranty a factor?

I believe that a battery designed as a starting battery is needed in colder climates or if you don't have block heaters. It may not be as critical elsewhere. I also don't like changing batteries and would rather pay more for the ones that last longer and have a better warranty. In the long run, I figure I end up saving money and time and my back. But, others value these things differently.

BTW, Rolls gives you new 4/0 connecting cables and bolts with every set of batteries. And they have flag terminals and not the automotive type so they're easier to connect/disconnect and to keep clean.

Just to be clear, my comment wasn't directed at anyone. I just recall a prior thread in which I think someone called me cheap for suggesting golf carts as a viable alternative. One bank was already installed on my boat when I got it and yes I did have a melted terminal. I replaced all and used copper conductive grease on all and have had no problems since. I just thought it was interesting that within a year there would be one thread that condemned golf carts and another in which many members fessed up to using them.

Thanks for the info.

 

[dar636]

Can't think of the name, but I slather all the connections good with the same dielectric grease that Boeing uses. One of my boat neighbors works there and brings me stuff that goes out of spec. Their throttle grease is super good stuff, especially when I boat at -60 F.

I think you're referring to DC 4 (Dow Corning 4), comes in a tooth paste size tube. The throttle lube is Aeroshell 14...