[C320-list] Flooded batteries to AGM

[Jim Sweet]

The flooded batteries that we had in the 320 we bought new lasted 9 years 
with no hassles even with the cheap charger that came with the boat.  When 
we finally needed to replace them I went with interstates that cost a total 
of $450 installed (I'm too old to risk my back trying to wrestle a 120# 
battery).  That was 4 years ago and we still have no issues.  We are at a 
slip with power and keep the boat plugged in when we are gone with the 
reefer going.  We do a little cruising (but plan to do more when we both 
retire) so it may be apples and oranges.

Jim Sweet
TGIF (Thank God It Floats) 902
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tim Westhoven" <westhoven at wcnet.org>
To: <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com>
Sent: Saturday, June 28, 2014 9:14 AM
Subject: [C320-list] Flooded batteries to AGM


> After waiting a couple months for a minor fiberglass repair, I finally
> launched Affinity this past Wednesday. As I attempted to start her up, we
> realized the four year old batteries were toast. That started several days
> of researching AGM batteries, chargers and all things electrical, but to 
> no
> definitive end. Half the people I spoke to told me to just reinstall the
> wet battery type, even though I had thought I really didn't want the
> hassles of leaky wet batteries that have to be fed distilled water every
> month. The old batteries slopped battery acid all over the compartment
> beneath the settee and I have been told that the gas they put off in the
> cabin area isn't such a good thing, either. AGMs are supposed to last 
> twice
> as long and the Lifeline AGMs with 210 AH (amp hours) cost over twice as
> much-- $599 each X two batteries-- $1,200. Other brands can be purchased 
> at
> $350 each-$700 total, with around 200 AH. When I ask distributors about 
> the
> differences, they talk about the construction of the cases that glass mats
> are held in and imply that cheaper brands may allow shifting to the point
> where panels touch and cause the elements inside to fail. I haven't had a
> real clear discussion about that issue yet. At this point, I am inclined
> toward spending $350 each for cheap AGM over $1,200 for the big name
> brands, which I would consider still better than the flooded batteries
> which so far are anywhere from $175 for the cheap ones and $275 for good
> ones.
>
> I have a Xantrex 20 charger that is switchable between flooded, gel or AGM
> for charging. It is in the port lazarette on the forward wall-- down in
> there a bit and a little hard to get to with the lazarette full of life
> jackets, deck brushes with long handles and other junk. I suppose the
> distances are just a few feet from the breaker panel for power to the
> charger and quite a bit further for the serpentine route from charger to
> batteries. I will double check the gauges of wiring today to see that they
> are heavy enough not to lose charging power as 20 amp is about as small as
> they recommend for these two batteries. (200 Amp Hours divided by 20 amps
> is ten hours of charging for a fully 100 percent discharged battery, but I
> doubt we would ever fully discharge that much battery in a day anyway.)
>
> Catalina used the flooded type batteries from the factory and have
> recommended the Exide Nauti Gold 4Ds, but another post I read somewhere
> suggests that Exide bought out another company and consolidated their two
> lines and it takes some looking to determine which of their batteries is
> the stronger. And when I would be finished with that, I would still have a
> flooded battery at about $287 each.
>
> So my question is, has anyone had to face down this battery issue with
> their 320? Cheaper end of the AGMs or expensive end of the flooded
> batteries? Any wisdom you can impart would be greatly appreciated.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *Tim WesthovenAffinity Hull # 657Herl's Harbor2263 N.E. CatawbaPort
> Clinton, Ohio 43452419-409-1000 mobilewesthoven at wcnet.org
> <westhoven at wcnet.org>*
>