[C320-list] New Batteries

[pat reynolds]

I think I need an aspirin


From: Simon Rock <simonrock at gmail.com>
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com 
Sent: Wednesday, August 8, 2012 5:11 AM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] New Batteries

Hi Karl,

A quick search shows that Trojan golf cart batteries,
6V - 225 Ahr, so need 4 at $151 each, for a total of $600.
Now, from the info I could find golf cart batteries have a life of 700 to
1000 cycles, and you only run yours down to 75%, so lets go the longer life.

Therefore, 450  x 0.25 = 112Ahr capacity, for 1000 cycles, or 112,000 Ahrs
for $600, or 187 Ahr/$

LiFePo4 batteries have a higher discharge rate and number of cycles.
A 160Ahr battery would provide the same power capacity, but lets go up a
size, 
200Ahr, 3.2V, so need four at $283 each, for a total of $1132

Therefore, 200  x 0.6 = 120Ahr capacity, for 3000 cycles, or 360,000 Ahrs
for $1132, or 318 Ahr/$

Ok, I hear you say, my golf cart batteries will be discharged to 50% for
their 700 cycles
Therefore, 450  x 0.5 = 225Ahr capacity, for 700 cycles, or 157,500 Ahrs for
$600, or 263 Ahr/$

With the number of electric cars booming, the prices for these batteries
will continue to drop and push the savings even further.

And they have all the same advantages of the AGM batteries (safety should be
a big factor on any boat).
Oh, and the new models can support good lead acid/gel/agm battery chargers.

Oh - and solar flares usually don't kill them.......

Cheers



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 Karl
Mielenhausen
Sent: Wednesday, 8 August 2012 2:02 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
>>
>>
>>
>                                          =
>