[C320-list] Battery selection; Questions & Answers

[Warren Updike]

Does make one think.  Thinking about my own business career, the Heavy Duty
group and the Marine/RV group may have their own marketing depts. and they
don't talk to each other.  Kinda like the CIA and NS.  My ideas are
obviously better than your so why should I share them with you.

Ours is not to reason why. Ours is to pay homage, taxes and die.

Warren & Pattie Updike
1994 C320 #62 "Warr de Mar"

-----Original Message-----
From: Bruce Heyman [mailto:bruceheyman at cox.net] 
Sent: Tuesday, February 01, 2011 9:17 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Battery selection; Questions & Answers

Warren,
Am I reading this right?  You specked out what most of us need for a house
bank.  The engineer that works for the company is recommending the less
expensive truck battery as best for your marine application.  The only
caveat is that you will have to use a terminal adapter.
I don't doubt your conclusion but I wonder what they were thinking when they
came up with a "marine" battery that performs worse than a truck battery and
is cheaper to boot!
Thanks,
Bruce
Somerset #741 Dana Point

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Warren Updike
Sent: Monday, January 31, 2011 11:06 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Battery selection; Questions & Answers

Following-up on Chris Burti's comments on the Exide Com-4D-P battery, I
posed several questions to Exide via their web site and was promptly
answered by Paul Korinek, Engineer.  

 

Q-- I'm replacing my two 4d batteries on my Catalina 320 sailboat. Here are
two Exide 4Ds I've found. I want to be able to discharge up to 50% for the
most number of cycles, however, my typical discharge is about 20-40%.  My
typical load is between 5 and 10 amps.  Total per day about 90A.  Could you
advise me as to which of these would best suit my needs?

NG4D                    RC250   AH160 (AH/RC=0.64)

COM-4D-P           RC320   AN205 (AH calculated based on 0.64RC)

 

A-- If you can adapt to the SAE terminal post, I would suggest the Com-4D-P
for your cycling app given that it has approx 30% more capacity which will
provide for a lower depth of discharge and extend life.  But if you must
have the marine terminal, the NG-4D has this.  Both have similar chemistry
for cycling purposes.  (WU-post adapters can be purchased to convert the
posts to bolt type marine posts.)

 

Q-- Do you recommend a periodic equalization of batteries under these
conditions?

A-- An equalization charge is a good practice but you have to be careful of
too much of a good thing.  Excessive equalization / overcharging will
dramatically shorten the product life due to grid corrosion and paste
shedding.

The equalization should not exceed 6hrs and water levels should be monitored
before and after.  I would not equalize the battery more than once per month
during use.  If the battery is performing OK and the charged voltage is >
12.8V when the acid levels are good, you don't need to equalize.  I would
equalize after you add water to mix the acid to avoid stratification which
can occur.  (WU-Others recommend that you monitor an equalization process
with a hygrometer to avoid over charging.)

 

Q-- Do you recommend several initial deep discharge/recharge cycles as a
break-in before placing in-service?

A-- Initial cycling is not a bad idea but not absolutely necessary for Exide
batteries.  An initial equalization charge is the most important thing to
bring the state of charge up to the 95%+ range.  Other manufactures
design/mfg their product such that it does require 10-30 cycles to reach the
rated capacity.  But this is not the situation with these Exide products.

 

I'm going with the COM-4D-P this spring.

 

Warren & Pattie Updike

1994 C320 #62 "Warr de Mar"