[C320-list] Battery selection; Questions & Answers

[Bruce Stanley]

Warren
thanks for posting your Q&A with Exide.

Can you explain to me, how does one 'equalize batteries"?

Thanks
Bruce Stanley/C320 #1084
Sydney

I was not able to get Exide Nautilus Batteries in Australia, so I replaced
them with commercial Exide 4D Bus batteries (starting batteries).

On Tue, Feb 1, 2011 at 6:06 AM, Warren Updike <wupdike at hotmail.com> wrote:

> 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"
>
>
>
>