Battery Sources

[egaito]

Must be the upcoming full moon affecting our batteries....

Actually, I've known my starting batteries have been going bad for some time, and have a couple in the cockpit waiting for two guys to help lower them into the bilge....

I stayed out on a mooring yesterday evening, and stayed up late working, burning more bulbs for a longer period than I generally do. Woke up the next morning (turned everything off when I went to bed of course) to find my house battery down below 10v.

As an aside, one of the things I like about how this boat was refit, is the PO wired every panel with a battery switch allowing selection of multiple battery sources.

Anyway, it seems the house battery might be up for replacement as well. I've had what I think is pretty good luck with "cheap" batteries understanding that I'm getting what I pay for. I got 2 seasons out of a Champion starting battery, using it as a house battery, for $99 from Sam's Club. I'm on my 3rd season with a West Marine "SeaVolt" combo battery, $129. So basically, 5 seasons of boating for $429 in batteries.

All this time, I've looked at going to a Rolls, but wonder if the cost is really justified. My current house "bank" consists of a single 8D, and though I've been thinking of expanding this, are the benefits of the Rolls batteries lost on such a small bank?

Also, what do you guys think about multi-battery banks over single battery banks? I understand that golf cart batteries in series offer more total juice, but it adds more "parts" to the system. If I go to a multiple battery setup, I would want them to fit in the 8D box as well rather than have to re-arrange things.

Please share your experience and thoughts.....

 

[surfdancer45]

My 4Ds were going bad last year and I replaced them with the Ultimate Blue Top batteries 2 for starboard/house and one for port. I have been very happy with the performance and I don't need to round up two men and a boy to change out batteries. They fit nicely in my 4D boxes with room to spare.

 

[egaito]

Will 2 4D's fit in an 8D box?

 

[67hat34c]

no, 8d is not realy 2x bigger.

 

[Boatsb]

What is the box dimensions. My 8D boxes are larger than the batteries.

 

[egaito]

What is the box dimensions. My 8D boxes are larger than the batteries.

Not sure, but they are the plastic marine boxes designed for 8D's, they just fit with ridges to hold them in place, and air gaps for circulation.

I'd build a custom box to replace them, but I have to be able to remove the center (house) box to get to the water tank inlet for service.

I've got a 110v water pump down there I'm not using any longer....I'm thinkng of eliminating it, and adding a box in it's place. Heck, that might even correct my slight list to port!

 

[Wild Bill]

I use three Optima batteries to replace one 8D. They fit comfortably in the box and are much easier to change. Strap all three together and TA-DA you're done. It can be done by one person (me) without the need for steroids.

 

[34Hatt]

Egaito
So we are talking about your house bank here so you really need golf cart batteries. Golf carts give you more Reserve power and more Duty Cycles which is what a house bank needs. 8d, 4d and 27 or 31 do not give you the same they are design for a start up and that is it not for sitting on the hook with a constant draw all day.
Make the switch to golf carts and you will be happy you did you never hear of someone taking golf carts out and putting a 8d back in .
As you might see in Steve's thread I got 6.5 years out of my Trojans and that was with some heavy use Inverter and all.

 

[egaito]

Egaito
So we are talking about your house bank here so you really need golf cart batteries. Golf carts give you more Reserve power and more Duty Cycles which is what a house bank needs. 8d, 4d and 27 or 31 do not give you the same they are design for a start up and that is it not for sitting on the hook with a constant draw all day.
Make the switch to golf carts and you will be happy you did you never hear of someone taking golf carts out and putting a 8d back in .
As you might see in Steve's thread I got 6.5 years out of my Trojans and that was with some heavy use Inverter and all.

How well do they match up with an 8D battery box?

 

[34Hatt]

They don't match up that well and it also comes down to how many you want. With my setup and Inverter I want 6 (6 volts) so during the repower I moved them infront of each engine 3 on port 3 on Starb. There is no box that would fit so I made my own and it worked out great. Some Dura-ply and west system and you have any box you want!

 

[egaito]

They don't match up that well and it also comes down to how many you want. With my setup and Inverter I want 6 (6 volts) so during the repower I moved them infront of each engine 3 on port 3 on Starb. There is no box that would fit so I made my own and it worked out great. Some Dura-ply and west system and you have any box you want!

I'll have to look at re-arranging. I need maintenance access to the area under the house battery where it currently sits...but I may be able to re-arrange.

 

[Jaxfishgyd]

I agree with Wild Bill.
Last year I replaced 2 of my 8D's with group 24's. 3 fit perfectly into the 8D box. Have had zero problems and I only replaced the front boxes on both sides, leaving the back boxes empty for the time being till I get around to installing an inverter...... Still got to clean that damn engine room first.......