[C320-list] 4D Battery Replacement Advice

[James Harkness]

Ours is a '95 boat and we didn't replace the original batteries until 
last season. I went with the original configuration, which has been 
perfectly adequate.
I leave the batteries in the boat all winter with occasional - but 
fairly irregular - charging while doing maintenance work. But I guess 
the climate here is much more amiable than it is around Chicago in the 
winter!

Jim Harkness
Simia  #303




Rod Boer wrote:

> I still have my original batteries on my 2000.  I just finished my 7th 
> season.
>
> Rod Boer
> Odyssey, #688
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: <jsail320 at cox.net>
> To: "C320-List" <C320-List at catalina320.com>
> Sent: Monday, January 09, 2006 1:19 PM
> Subject: Re: Re: [C320-list] 4D Battery Replacement Advice
>
>
>> 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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>>
>>
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