[C320-list] 4D Battery Replacement Advice

[jonvez at comcast.net]

Joe,
When my OEM batteries failed two seasons ago, I did what you did and upgraded my electrical system by combining the 4D's, adding a starting battery and monitor. I took the opportunity to go with the AGM's and I have to say, I am quite pleased with them so far. They take a charge very rapidly and not having to worry about them over the NE winter is a huge plus.
I went with the WM branded (made by E. Penn) batteries, but that was only because I had a horrible experience trying to get the BoatUS staff to respond to me. I had planned on ordering Lifelines from BUS, but with no luck.
I don't recall how much they were, but they are not cheap and I obviously haven't had them long enough to provide longevity feedback, but I am very happy with them so far....Hope this helps...

Regards,

Jon Vez
Boston, MA

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: Joseph A Tamucci <jtamucci at adelphia.net> 

> Hello again to all my fellow 320 owners I met at the 2005 Regatta in 
> Newport. I was able to follow the trail to our new web site. 
> 
> As some of you (esp. Jeff Hare) might remember, last spring I replaced my 
> stock alternator with a high output Balmar/ regulator, wired my 4D's 
> together as the house bank and installed a dedicated starter battery with 
> echo charger off the 4D's. About a week after returning from the Catalina 
> regatta my four year old 4D's started failing and wouldn't hold a charge. 
> The dedicated starter battery came to the rescue and allowed me to finish 
> out the year. I'm getting ready to purchase new batteries and based on my 
> research I'm thinking seriously about getting 4D AGM's. The main advantage 
> is that they are more rugged than the standard lead acids especially if you 
> leave them on the boat during the NE winter like I do. I started 
> researching the golf cart battery route but was turned off by the fact that 
> it would require additional cable hookups and battery installation mounting 
> brackets. The cost would probably be comparable to the AGM's. 
> 
> What I'm looking for is opinions on my decision to go the AGM route and 
> recommendations on the brand of AGM to get, and the best/cheapest place to 
> buy them. For those that have installed golf cart batteries, I would 
> appreciate knowing what was involved in installing them and would you go 
> that route again? 
> 
> Thanks in advance 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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