Adding Water to Batteries

[rsmith]

Is that the same as desulfation?

 

[Ross Macdonald]

Thanks for all the input. It is relatively easy to get 12V batteries in places like Cabo, Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo. We are within cab distance in these places. But I bet (don't know for sure) that 8V batteries are hard to come by. They are readily available here in San Diego, so perhaps I might change out the one bank just to be proactive. Ross

 

[Pascal]

Kind of a related question. We are getting ready for another long trip to Mexico and batteries are always an issue. Conventional wisdom (I think) is standard (not rolls) wet cell, lead-acid batteries should be changed out every three years no matter what. My starting bank is just short of 3 yrs old, and the house bank is 2 yrs. old. The inverter system is independent of the other batteries. So the 8 volt house and start batteries don't get drawn down much except for head use and starting the mains. Two months on the hook this summer and they seemed to hold a charge well. Any thoughts? Even though the banks are right down the center of the engine room, it's still alot of heavy lifting for an old guy. Thanks, Ross 60 EB.

three years for lead acids would be very short unless the batteries have been abused by a bad charger, not adding enough water or deep discharge.

on small boats, the DC fridge and DC lights have a big impact on small banks but it's not the case on larger boats where a lot of the DC loads are shifted to AC when you have an inverter bank.

i get 5 years out of my "unfit for hatteras service" golf cart batteries, i cant' imagine 8Ds lasting less than that.

the two banks give you redundancy increased even further by having a dedicated inverter bank. you should be good for another couple of years, at least.

 

[Boatsb]

three years for lead acids would be very short unless the batteries have been abused by a bad charger, not adding enough water or deep discharge.

on small boats, the DC fridge and DC lights have a big impact on small banks but it's not the case on larger boats where a lot of the DC loads are shifted to AC when you have an inverter bank.

i get 5 years out of my "unfit for hatteras service" golf cart batteries, i cant' imagine 8Ds lasting less than that.

the two banks give you redundancy increased even further by having a dedicated inverter bank. you should be good for another couple of years, at least.

I think Ross's use is far more critical than most. A few months in waters where you have hundreds of miles to the next port and there are not many parts available makes changing them before they fail a good move.

How many people change their oil more often than the recommended intervals?

How many people fill up at half a tank just in case?

If he were to have a battery failure on the trip it could be serious. I would probably carry a spare 8v195 along with all my other emergency supplies but then again who am I to say what he needs

Ross enjoy the trip. It sounds like a great trip of a lifetime and I am jealous that you are doing it "again". If you need a deckhand ....

 

[Boatnut]

It's a wise man that is proactive in avoiding problems. The price of a new set of batteries pales in comparison to the problems than can result in their failure. Have a safe and great trip Ross, and don't worry about leaving the light on.

 

[Ross Macdonald]

Thanks you guys. Just an update...My four new 8V batteries are being delivered next week, so the 3 yr. old bank will be new and the stbd. bank (starting bank) will be 2yrs. old this Nov. So we should be good to go. Now if my back will hold up pulling the old ones out and putting the new ones in, I'll be a happy camper. Ross