[C320-list] PLEASE SUGGEST BATTERY REPLACEMENT

[Rick Sulewski]

Jason,

We rarely keep the fridge on while away from the boat and that takes the
pressure off the charger and fridge compressor having to endure needless
heat cycles and such. As a result, we still have the OEM charger and have
not experienced any issues with the fridge after 16 seasons. We manage about
60-70 days away from the marina each season. 

We have just replaced the batteries with Interstate Deep Cycle SRM 4-Ds
early in June. We are very pleased with the reserve battery power over 3-4
days while running the fridge, an inverter for the laptop and phone chargers
in addition using the cabin lights for several hours each night in addition
to using the stereo while away from shore power.

Some travel practices that work for us: Minimizing fridge compressor cycles
is where one can stretch their daily battery reserve power. We often carryon
cold ones to start the trip and find it only takes a couple of hours to get
the fridge down to the lower end temperatures. It is also a good idea to
place a blanket over the top of the fridge to provide greater insulation
during hot weather days. On occasion in very hot weather we take the
remaining ice from the travel cooler and place in at the bottom of the
fridge to jump start the colder fridge temperatures. Placing an initial
block of ice or even a large bag of ice in the fridge while at anchor for
3-4 days has allowed us to lower the fridge setting and squeeze much more
time from the 4-Ds while still having adequate starting power. 

We often carry a battery starting pack just in case we run the 4-Ds too low,
but have yet to use the starting pack.

Rick
My-Ria #277



-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Jason
Alexander
Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2011 11:18 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Cc: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] PLEASE SUGGEST BATTERY REPLACEMENT

I also just today replaced my older and failing 4D's with two interstate SRM
4D's.  And while I was at it I did the starting battery upgrade that Jeff
Hare has put up in the technical section of the website. I put in an
interstate 24M-XHD as a true cranking battery  I also have a new Xantrex
Truecharge2 that I keep on all the time.   It was all charging happily when
I left the boat.  

So here is my Question.  Do you all turn everything off when you leave the
boat.  I do except for the refrigerator. I know people say this is very bad
for the batteries.     But It's not so much that I couldn't shut it down and
not keep anything cold in it.  It's the fact that I like it cold when we get
to the boat Friday night.  

Jason


On Jul 16, 2011, at 3:35 PM, Warren Updike <wupdike at hotmail.com> wrote:

> The Interstate SRMs are what I bought as well.  Our marina store is a
> dealer.  While I paid more than did you, if I have any trouble under
> warranty, the store will handle the exchange unload/load the replacements.
> What price convenience?  At 130lbs ea. it's not a job I relish doing.
> 
> I'd prefer AGMs but at twice the cost, I couldn't justify it.  It's not
much
> of a hassle to remove the table top and water them once a month during the
> season.
> 
> This time I replaced my 17 year old charger with a Xantrex Truecharge2
> (40A.)  I don't think the old charger was able to keep them properly
> charged.  I think keeping the batteries fully and properly charged is a
key
> factor in battery life.
> 
> Warren & Pattie Updike
> 1994 C320 #62 "Warr De Mar"
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Rick Sulewski [mailto:rsulewski at bex.net] 
> Sent: Friday, July 15, 2011 9:57 PM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] PLEASE SUGGEST BATTERY REPLACEMENT
> 
> Pete,
> 
> I changed out my batteries last month and installed Interstate deep cycle
> SRM 4Ds at a cost of only $333 total for both batteries with a core
> exchange. Each battery now has 1314 CCA and 390 reserve minutes at 25A. I
> called around and purchased the batteries from a boat dealer who has an
> Interstate Battery Truck making a delivery several times a week.
> 
> We never run the fridge while off the boat and got 9 years out of the OEM
> 4Ds with over 45 nights away from the dock each year. We only got 5 1/2
> years out of the West Marine Seavolt 4Ds that had something like only 220
> reserve minutes from each battery when they were new. 
> 
> Rick
> My-Ria #277
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Pat Ireland
> Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2011 9:19 PM
> To: C320-List at catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] PLEASE SUGGEST BATTERY REPLACEMENT
> 
> Pete
> 
> Some recommend replacing the original wet cells with truck batteries,
others
> like the golf cart 6V cells, and heavy users move up to AGM or ?????
> Ugrades may require a new charger.  The addition of a dedicated starting
> battery is a nice backup.  It all depends on how you use the boat and how
> much you can justify spending for storage capacity.
> 
> There is quite a bit of discussion that you can read by searching the
> forum.  The Catalina 34 forum has some interesting info as well.
> 
> We day sail, so the truck batteries were a cost effective solution for us.
> Your mileage may vary.
> 
> Pat, 801
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On Thu, Jul 14, 2011 at 2:08 PM, grossnickle pete
> <grossnicklep at yahoo.com>wrote:
> 
>> 
>> Could anyone suggest a battery type to replace old batteries on our  year
>> 2000 C320?
>> 
>> Many Thanks !!!
>> 
>> Pete Grossnickle
>>  Hull 0715
>> San Diego
>> 
> 
> 
>