[C320-list] Battery Replacement Choices

[Chris Burti]

I have had excellent luck with the Exide COM-4D-P. It specs out a bit
better than their Nautilus Gold Deep Cycle Marine battery and has
performed as well as or better than the OEM Exide Nautilus Gold's that
originally came on our boat which had a significantly higher RC than
the the current version.

CB
2001 - #867

On Tue, Jan 25, 2011 at 7:45 AM, Warren Updike <wupdike at hotmail.com> wrote:
> Because flooded 4D batteries are sold as truck batteries, many don't show a
> standard amp hour rating. You can call the distributor or manufacturer, or
> divide the Reserve Capacity (RC) by 0.6 to get an approximation of AH
> capacity, (I learned from Interstate Batteries.)
>
> The designation of "4D" has little to do with the capacity of the battery.
> 4D is merely the industry standard sizing designation.  All 4D batteries as
> all Group 2x batteries, etc., will have the same dimensions. This is because
> when buying a car or truck battery the most important condition is will it
> fit in the space allowed.  The energy capacity of a battery for marine use
> is dependent on the number of, size of, and thickness of the plates.
>
> Most flooded 4D batteries fall into the class of "combination" use: starting
> and deep cycle.  Starting, of course because it's a truck; and, deep cycle
> because OTR truckers often live in the cab and have a similar kind of DC
> power demand as we do on boats.  Some mfgr's make a 4D they class as deep
> cycle in that they have heaver plates than their standard 4D.
>
> It's hard to get information about 4D batteries beyond what is published,
> particularly enough to make an apples to apples comparison.
>
> Interesting tidbit: Some of the Excide car and truck batteries I see in
> Sam's Club are made by Johnson Controls under license from Exide who appears
> to be a Johnson competitor in other markets.  Johnson's other brands are
> Optima and Varta.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bruce Heyman [mailto:bruceheyman at cox.net]
> Sent: Sunday, January 23, 2011 10:49 AM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Battery Replacement Choices
>
> Another advantage of AGM's is they can accept a higher charge rate.  This is
>
> important if you've beefed up your altinator and you spend a lot of time on
>
> the hook.
> There are lots of good books and articles on this subject ansd it often
> leeds to upgrading your altinator, adding an external regulator, upgradding
>
> the AC charger adding a starting battery along with and echo charger and
> ofcourse you just have to add a battery monitoring system.
> We just replaced our batteries and while we considered the truck batteries
> because of cost we went with the NG4Ds due to there higher amp hour rating.
>
> When crusing we spend a lot of time away from the dock so the extra capacity
>
> reduces the amount of time we have to run the engine.
> Bruce
> Somerset 671 SoCal
>
> Bruce Heyman
> (949) 289-8400
> BruceHeyman at cox.net
>
> -----Original message-----
> From: Pat Ireland <cherie320 at gmail.com>
> To: C320-List at catalina320.com
> Sent: Sun, Jan 23, 2011 15:26:37 GMT+00:00
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Battery Replacement Choices
>
> David
>
> Try searching on the forum.  There are several conversations on battery
> choice.
>
> Folks that need lots of amp hours and have an extensive budget of boat bucks
> seem to like the AGM technology.  Folks that are on a tight budget and have
> more access to dockside power, find the flooded cells a vey good value.
>
> If you go flooded, heavy duty truck batteries can be purchased for less
> than $200 each.  We got ours for about $180.  Chris got his for evenlss.
> Flooded cells from your friendly boating store will be significantly more,
> but there are differences that may or may not be worth the price difference
> to you for your type of sailing.  As an example, our truck cells have push
> on caps.  The marine cells we replaced had screw on caps.  A small
> difference, unless it's a deal breaker for you.
>
> Your 6.5 years is good performance.  Ours went about 5 years.  The AGMs
> should do better, but only if you match the charger to the cells and
> maintain a good charging protocol.
>
> Research is your friend in making the decision.
>
> Good luck
>
> Pat, 801
>
>
>
> On Sat, Jan 22, 2011 at 11:33 AM, Paul Rickman
> <ilove2sail at verizon.net>wrote:
>
>> AGM
>>
>> Pro - No maint
>>
>> Con - More expensive, you must have a battery charger that will charge an
>> AGM --
>> not all do.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ________________________________
>> From: David Detrick <dldetrick at live.com>
>> To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
>> Sent: Sat, January 22, 2011 2:26:23 PM
>> Subject: [C320-list] Battery Replacement Choices
>>
>> Have had the original factory batteries in my boat for 6.5 years. What are
>> the pros and cons of Flooded batteries over AGM batteries?
>>
>>
>>
>> Also, is 6.5 years of serviceable usage in a San Diego climate, below,
>> above, or about the norm for flooded batteries?
>>
>>
>>
>> David Detrick
>>
>> Hull 1004
>>
>> San Diego
>>
>
>
>
>



-- 
Chris Burti
Farmville, NC