[C320-list] 4D Battery Replacement Advice

[jsail320 at cox.net]

My C320 is hull 702, a 2000 model.  I still have the original batteries on board.  They were left on board during the NE winters and never failed me.  

Having said that, I am replacing them this year.  Mostly because of remarks like " You have to be kidding ", " you are lucky ", " those batteries don't owe you anything" and "You are pushing your good fortune" ......

I hope I am as lucky with the new 4Ds as I was with the originals.

John
Lady K
> 
> From: jonvez at comcast.net
> Date: 2006/01/09 Mon AM 11:25:03 EST
> To: C320-List <C320-List at catalina320.com>
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] 4D Battery Replacement Advice
> 
> 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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