[C320-list] Battery boxes

[Bill & Heather]

Would have to disagree with Jeff on the flooded 4D's not holding up on 
winter lay-up. I have 5 year old flooded 4D's that are fully charged (or 
very close to it) after a 6 and 1/2 month lay-up in up-state NY. I turn the 
selector switch to off, and walk away till spring launch. Very happy with 
wet cells, But will most likely go with golf cart batteries when these go, 
and enjoy the added capacity.

Anyone ever have trouble with there charger not coming back on after 
floating, and letting the batteries go dead? My Charles 30 amp has done this 
4 times over the years. Will be sending it in for warranty repair over the 
winter as it has a 5 year warranty. The boat stays on charge 24 - 7 with the 
fridge running at the dock.

Bill

FAT CAT #1058


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jeff Hare" <catalina at thehares.com>
To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Sunday, August 15, 2010 9:45 AM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Battery boxes


> Hi John,
>
> It is unlikely that a charger would switch to the conditioning 
> (equalization?) Mode on its own. This is something you would normally have 
> to do intentionally since there are precautions that need to be taken 
> before using this mode.
>
> I have lifeline 4Ds.  They're great in my situation because of the long 
> winter layup we have.  I can disconnect them and ignore them all winter 
> and they're still fully charged after 6 mos.  Standard Flooded batteries 
> wouldn't survive this without periodic charging or a solar panel.
>
> What charger do you have?  The mfgr could clear up the equalization mode 
> question for you.
>
> -Jeff
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: LOCALJG at aol.com
> Sender: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
> Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2010 00:48:34
> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
> Reply-To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Battery boxes
>
> Great info Bill!  Thanks.  It sounds like the Lifeline 4D AGMs  are the 
> way
> to go.  My charging system is the three stage type so I  will have to
> figure out a way how to get rid of the conditioning stage.  I  hear that 
> you can
> fry an AGM if it goes through the conditioning stage of  the recharge
> process.  It looks like a little more research is in  order on my part?
>
> John  #329
>
>
> In a message dated 8/14/2010 3:58:30 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
> billculb_a2 at yahoo.com writes:
>
> John,
> Rolls are pretty much the Rolls-Royce of lead-acid  batteries.  For AGMs I
> feel
> that Lifeline's are the  Rolls-Royce.  I replaced my original Exide Gold's
> with 2
> LifeLine  4D's 2 years ago after getting a whopping 7 years out of the
> Exide's.
> The  Lifeline's are expensive but projected to give lots of years and I'm
> sold on
> the advantages of AGMs.  Also they are rated @ 210Ah and I had lots  of
> trouble
> finding any 4Ds over 180Ah.
> http://www.lifelinebatteries.com/marinedeepcycle.php
>
> -bill
> Harmony  #859
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From:  "LOCALJG at aol.com" <LOCALJG at aol.com>
> To:  C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Sent: Sat, August 14, 2010 3:30:03 PM
> Subject:  Re: [C320-list] Battery boxes
>
> Hi Larry:  Thanks for the  info.  My boat is paid for so this isn't an
> insurance issue.  I  was just curious.  I like doing things correctly and
> just
> couldn't  understand why Catalina would not be doing "the right thing" 
> when
> it
> came  to battery boxes.  Apparently Catalina is doing the right thing.
>
> Which reminds me; thank you to all the people who provided me with the
> wealth of information that has been sent.  Whatever they are paying  you
> guys, it
>
> isn't enough.
>
> Larry, you mentioned two  other types of batteries; AGMs and Gells.  I was
> under the  understanding that the Rolls 4D was, well, the Rolls Royce of
> batteries?  For a cruising C320, do you believe another battery would
> provide
> the
>
> requisite energy and still provide such a long life as  the 4D?  The 4Ds I
> am about to replace have been in service for over  10 years and are only
> now
> beginning to have issues.
>
> One  thing I can say about not having a battery sealed in a battery box is
> that  there has been some acid leakage down the battery and onto the
> fiberglass.  The fiberglass has been discolored but still holds  strong.
>
> Does anyone else have this acid on fiberglass  issue?
>
> John #  329
>
>