[C320-list] New Batteries

[danny jensen]

Danny,
I believe I read Jeff's more general analysis over a year ago. Thanks
Karl for your excellent analysis here. It is right to the point.  I
purchased Interstate SRM-4D. I believe Jeff called these truck batteries
in his analysis. These batteries are an exact fit for the factory
batteries that lasted about 7 years. These dropped right in. No hassle.
I do need to add water every month in the summer time. I live in
southern CA. I can't see spending more on batteries based on my use
patterns. Money may be better spent on increasing the alternator
capacity so you can keep the batteries charged while on trips. 

Interstate SRM-4D
Marine R/V - Int Marine/RV 12M Free - 1314 CCA 
Sugg Retail Price: $231.95 


Danny
A Boa Vita
#972

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Karl
Mielenhausen
Sent: Tuesday, August 07, 2012 9:02 PM
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] New Batteries

Simon,

I am interested in seeing your data. Here is mine:
My 4 golf car batteries cost me $226 (2006) and provide 450 A-H.
Today, they would cost $372.
They are into their 7th year (not season, as we run year round), so if
they were to die tomorrow, they have cost me $.50 per A-H or $.08 per
A-H per year.
But, they show no sign of dying anytime soon.
We try not to run them down below 25% charge remaining and have a
separate starting battery, just in case.
We have gone 3 days on the hook before using the engine to recharge
(or motorsail to the next gunk-hole).
The electricity lasts a lot longer than the hot water does!

Looking here...http://www.lithiumion-batteries.com/
I see that 4 of the 100 A-H LiFe batteries would cost me $5200.
Discounting the value of their other advantages, AND not considering
the net present value of money, they would have to last 84 years to be
more cost effective than my "silly" golf car batteries.

Karl


On Tue, Aug 7, 2012 at 5:19 PM, Simon Rock <simonrock at gmail.com> wrote:
> Yes, golf cart batteries are available world wide (how many of us have
> sailed around the world on our 320?).
> If you work out the $/Ahr cost of the two types (golf cell Vs LiFe)
the more
> expensive modern batteries are much cheaper.
> Some of the new batteries will also work on normal chargers, but even
with
> the cost of adding a new charger, it's still cheaper (I will do a
costing
> shortly).
>
> Cheers
> Simon
>
> Simon Rock
> Lake Macquarie NSW Australia
>
> Cat375 #54 Rock The Boat
> Cat375 #41 Rocket
> Cat320 #1163 Rockstar
>
> Experience The Whitsundays
> www.cya.com.au
> -----Original Message-----
> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Jack
Russ
> Sent: Wednesday, 8 August 2012 4:02 AM
> To: c320-list at catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] New Batteries
>
>
> Mine leans to port.  Batteries are on starboard.  A couple of reasons
that
> cruisers like 6 volt batteries are increased amp hours and
availability
> (golf course => golf carts => 6 volt golf cart batteries are pretty
> widespread worldwide).  New technology might be hard to replace far
from
> home.
>
>> From: simonrock at gmail.com
>> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>> Date: Tue, 7 Aug 2012 18:33:23 +1000
>> Subject: [C320-list] New Batteries
>>
>> Hi,
>> Here we go again - batteries for boats.
>> Now, you all know that I believe that boats deserve good batteries,
>> and the use of golf cart batteries seems really silly.
>> In the past I have argued that the AGM batteries are the battery of
>> choice on boats. They have so many advantages that they make the golf
>> cart batteries look very unsuitable.
>> Well, has anybody looked at LiFe batteries?
>>
>> A recent article in a sailing magazine put forward a very good
>> argument for their use as house batteries for yachts.
>> Why?
>> They are smaller, lighter, faster charging, better discharge, can
>> handle deeper discharge (70 to 80%), longer life and probably more.
>> But they are more expensive to purchase.
>> But, if you look at the cost over the total ownership period, then
>> they come out equal to AGM, and half the weight (helping stop the
Catalina
> lean).
>>
>> Now I know that Aussies love to embrace new technology, but has
>> anybody in the US looked at these as replacements for their old
lead/acid
> batteries?
>>
>>
>> Simon Rock
>> Lake Macquarie NSW Australia
>>
>> Cat375 #54 Rock The Boat
>> Cat375 #41 Rocket
>> Cat320 #1163 Rockstar
>>
>> Experience The Whitsundays
>> www.cya.com.au
>>
>>
>>
>                                           =
>