[C320-list] Battery selection; Questions & Answers

[Chris Burti]

It should be noted that the Marine version is three pounds heavier,
which suggests more lead in the plates and thus more expected
durability over the long haul if you regularly run your batteries down
more than 50%. I opted for the truck batteries because I believed the
greater RC would lead to less frequent deep discharges for the way we
use our boat and result in longer battery life. So far, that theory is
holding up.

On Tue, Feb 1, 2011 at 9:17 PM, Bruce Heyman <bruceheyman at cox.net> wrote:
> 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"
>
>
>
>
>



-- 
Chris Burti
Farmville, NC