32V battery replacement

[rsmith]

That time again. This is the 8th set of batteries I've put in the boat over the last 40 years. All but a couple sets I've done myself. Looking back at past invoices I paid$99 ea for 819's jumped up to $109 in the 80's now it's just obscene. Used to buy them from Anthracite battery in Philadelphia they actually replaced the cells in my cases. Took a tour of the place once. Was like the bowels of hell dank acrid fumes that stung your eyes and burnt your nose. Battery manufacturing is a nasty business. Their long gone so I took a ride up to East Lyons Pa and talked to the engineers at Deka. They still make the old 819 but the 8V195 is a more modern design with a lower price and better specs. They claim the weight difference is in the construction of the tar potted 819 and not in the lead plates. For almost a grand less I went with the 8V195 I'll see what happens.

 

[rsmith]

It's not a job for good clothes.

 

[rsmith]

Up and out. One of the pluses of having th boat behind the house

 

[MikeP]

I installed 8V195s in our 53 in 2010, replacing 819s, which replaced 819s, which replaced Rolls/Surettes. The original Rolls lasted 15 years. The succeeding sets lasted 5-6. The 195s now need replacing; they lasted about the same amount of time as the 819's. I will be replacing them with another set of 195's

 

[rsmith]

And now the problemo. A couple sets ago I had one bank that kept cooking the water out from new. After a month of this. And the battery supplier telling me it was my charger I pulled hydrometer readings on the bank.Turned out a dead cell pulling the rest down. With the back breaking job of putting these things in I always check them now before I take them off the truck. And guess what one reads a little over 6 volts instead of the 8.5 they should be. Hydrometer shows one bad cell. FML you have to check everything and everyone's work today!!! Chances are it will be F'd up

 

[MikeP]

Great Point! Just because it's a new battery doesn't mean it's a GOOD battery.

 

[johnjen50]

Hey what are you guys paying for those Batteries? Reason I'm asking is because the Rolls Surretts are just over 400 a piece, and Im getting quotes of 350 for the 195's. To me I'd rather fork out the cash for the Rolls if it's only 50-75 difference. Just curious.

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

$269 plus tax in SC last fall for 195's.

 

[MikeP]

I paid $207 each in 2010 which included delivery to the dock/picking up my old batts. Sounds like I'll be paying a lot more in 2017!

I absolutely agree that if Rolls can be purchased for only 60 bucks more, than that's the way to go ASSUMING the Rolls in question are what we expect from Rolls, not an "economy battery" with a Rolls label on it!

NOTE- this added a couple of minutes later: I just checked the 8V195 price at Pasco Battery in Easton MD, where I bought the last set - $239 (with core). So that's not too bad - about 30 bucks more (each) than 2010. They don't seem to list the 819 at all anymore. Pasco used to carry them.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I still think the Rolls are worth the extra $ if you're going to own the boat long enough. The job of changing them is just too great to justify anything that would increase the frequency of replacement. If you figure the cost/year, I think you come out ahead.

 

[MikeP]

I agree. Based on the longevity of the set of OEM Rolls - 15 years - and all of that time they were maintained by the OEM LaMarche ferromagnetic as opposed to a modern smart charger, I think Rolls ARE a better deal all the way around. I didn't purchase them in 2010 because we just didn't want to spend 3k+ for batts, which was the price I was quoted for Rolls at the time. Admittedly, although that was about 2x the price of the batts I installed, based on previous experience, the Rolls would still be going strong and have 9-10 years left. Much better when considering cost/benefit. BUT I'm not going to do it this time because we may be selling the boat later this year.

Admittedly, "New Rolls Batteries" would be a big plus to many buyers, not just for the batteries for themselves but for the statement they make re overall care for the boat but I think "new batteries" will be sufficient.

FWIW: as noted, one "advantage" of the 8V195s is that they are slightly higher capacity but considerably lighter than 819s (and a LOT lighter than Rolls). Relatively speaking, they are easier to remove/install than 819's. I don't think I could lift/carry/install Rolls by myself whereas I can with 195s/819s. Well, I COULD in 2010!

 

[Top Hatt Craig]

I agree. Based on the longevity of the set of OEM Rolls - 15 years - and all of that time they were maintained by the OEM LaMarche ferromagnetic as opposed to a modern smart charger, I think Rolls ARE a better deal all the way around. I didn't purchase them in 2010 because we just didn't want to spend 3k+ for batts, which was the price I was quoted for Rolls at the time. Admittedly, although that was about 2x the price of the batts I installed, based on previous experience, the Rolls would still be going strong and have 9-10 years left. Much better when considering cost/benefit. BUT I'm not going to do it this time because we may be selling the boat later this year.Admittedly, "New Rolls Batteries" would be a big plus to many buyers, not just for the batteries for themselves but for the statement they make re overall care for the boat but I think "new batteries" will be sufficient.FWIW: as noted, one "advantage" of the 8V195s is that they are slightly higher capacity but considerably lighter than 819s (and a LOT lighter than Rolls). Relatively speaking, they are easier to remove/install than 819's. I don't think I could lift/carry/install Rolls by myself whereas I can with 195s/819s. Well, I COULD in 2010!

Good points on battery weight, with SEVEN's help we just changed the four 8Ds in our 43DC. I was willing to pop for AGMs but after trying to lift one (160 lbs) off the shelf at the store I went with flooded batts. In hindsight, and I was in a bit of a rush with our 12v toilets down, I should have gotten AGM 4Ds (130 lbs) after finding their terminals are in the exact same position as 8Ds.

 

[rsmith]

I pushed it on the last set and went almost 9 years. I think the timer I put on the Charles charger was a big help. I've had 2 Senturys a professional mariner and now the Charles. My worry with the Rolls is if a charger goes bad and cooks them out I've lost out on the deal. I have to wonder also how battery life is based on usage. 15 years in a Yankee boat that sits inactive all winter might not be the same as a southern boat that sees continuous usage and heat. Or maybe it's worse to sit unused? Rolls with tax were over $5k and the Dekas were under 2 so it was a no brainer.
On a side note the guys at Deka told me that the last US lead smelter has been shut down by the EPA so expect battery prices to skyrocket in the next few years. If you need batteries better get them now. This alone could justify the longer lifespan of the Rolls.

 

[MikeP]

"15 years in a Yankee boat that sits inactive all winter might not be the same as a southern boat that sees continuous usage and heat. Or maybe it's worse to sit unused? Rolls with tax were over $5k and the Dekas were under 2 so it was a no brainer. "

It may be true that the batts wouldn't last as long in, say, FL as the do further north. But the 15 for the Rolls vs 5-6 for 819s or 195 on our boat occurred in the same operating conditions so I would expect the same RELATIVE length of life regardless of the location.

I admit I do have the concern mentioned re a problem that might end up ruining multiple batteries - like a failed cell in one batt of the bank, which would then cause overcharging/destruction of the remaining batteries if not noticed promptly. Losing a set of Rolls would be pretty traumatic!

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

The physical size of the 195's really changes the game, for me at least, on batteries. They are just a smidgeon taller than my old 819's, but are each about 6" shorter and lots lighter. Moving the port bank around the front of the motor was was way better than the removal process. I did had to make wood spacers for the battery boxes to ensure no movement.

I also turn off the charger when I get to the boat each week and let the batteries rest for a day or two. From all that I've read, that could be good, bad or no impact at all.

 

[MikeP]

I have never gotten around to making the necessary spacers in the battery box for the 195s. But I have always MEANT to do it!

 

[SKYCHENEY]

With the price of batteries and the risk of causing a premature failure, it makes having a decent charger even more important. I have two 32v smart chargers, an Outback and an Analytic.


I called Rolls and they gave me the complete charge profile which I programmed into the Outback. I also think that the equalization feature extends the life considerably. I run my inverter while on the hook and those batts get many complete cycles all summer. I don't know which is worse for them, not using them or putting that many charge and discharge cycles on them.

 

[Scarlett]

I second Sky's comment about the Outback charger, some of the best technology I have ever seen in their chargers. John

 

[mykim]

Anyone have the part # for the DEKAs and the Rolls Batteries being discussed here?