[C320-list] interstate SRM-4D Batteries

[Warren Updike]

In the "for what it's worth" category, here are my comments:
1. 4 years is minimum, 6-7 good, more is outstanding. Battery life depends on a number of things. Most important is to be kept fully charged and watered. Never discharge below 50%. Use temp compensation with a multi-stage digital charger. That said, there are random effects that can't be anticipated or easily explained. My last two SRM-4Ds were in great shape. Suddenly, one cell in one battery went dead. Not short, not open, just dead. Interstate dealer could not explain. Bought two new 4ds.

2. As the Adler-Barber Cold Machine draws about 5A, a low voltage disconnector of more than 20 amps would be overkill. The Blue Sea Systems device is, IMHO, overkill. 

3. When without shore power, I try to recharge through the Bulk stage to the start of Absorption stage. This replaces the majority of power used. I typically use about 50-60A from the time the hook drops until morning plus another 30A through till evening if we don't run the engine. Thus, we get about 2 full days at anchor without running the engine. Then, with 2, 2-1/2 hours running, nearly the whole 90A can be replaced with our 80A alternator.

$445 each for Interstate SRM-4D?? Are you sure that wasn't for two? That is about what I paid for two. I can buy AGM 4Ds for about $400 each.

Final word: One thing that will prevent fully charging batteries are dirty connections. A voltage drop of just 0.5V will guarantee that your batteries will not be fully charged. Each connection between the alternator-batteries/batteries-ground must be cleaned periodically and protected. Don't believe me? Ask Nigel Calder.

Warren and Pattie Updike
1994 C320 "Warr de Mar" #62

-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Burti [mailto:clburti at gmail.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, September 08, 2015 3:12 PM
To: 320
Subject: Re: [C320-list] interstate SRM-4D Batteries

1. Is 4 years reasonable for flooded batteries
A. No way. We got 7 years of service on our OEM set, they weren't dead when
we replaced them before a cruise and we are now 5 years into our second
set. 13+ volts after 4 weeks off the charger. I did a load test in May, no
issues. Ours are Exide 4D-COM.
2. Is there some sort of smart breaker I can apply to my Adler-Barbour
refrigerator to idiot proof not running my refrigerator when my batteries
are say less than 12.2vdc.
A. It already has one that cuts off automatically at 10 volts, a bit low
but better than nothing. This has occurred on our boat twice with no ill
effects that I can detect. However, if one battery failed, it would draw
down any other battery wired in parallel irrespective of the reefer cutoff.
I suspect this is your issue. Since the charger is not (should not be)
wired the though the A-B switch, it is better to leave it on A or B, not
both, if running the reefer while away.
3. I'm running Bulk charging for at 14.4 volts for at least 1 hours under
from by balmar. Much has been written about this topic so I just like to
get your take on this Warren, Jeff... others
A. I'll defer to others on this issue.

p.s. I recruited a friend to help load the replacements and unload the old
ones,, well worth the fifth of Kentucky's finest that he accepted.

Best Regards,
Chris Burti
Commitment, #867

On Tue, Sep 8, 2015 at 12:30 PM, danny jensen <danny at jensenshouse.com>
wrote:

> Dear Group,
> I just killed off a set of interstate SRM-4D Batteries after about 4 years.
> It is very likely I caused these to die after a ran them down to 0 when I
> lost shore power and had my refrigerator on. Also I believe one battery had
> low water and it looked like the battery was deformed during charging.
>
> I have been running a balmar 100A alternator / MC-614 regulator an pulling
> about 75A at anchor. Normal running it is configured in small engine mode
> pulling max 35A. My balmar MC-614 has temp sensors on one of the batteries
> the 2 SRM-4D are wired in parallel making one 268AH (234 x 2 per Warren's
> Calc's). I have a xantrex link lite battery monitor and never take the
> batteries down more than 80 percent ( one should use Warrens calculation
> -5% first year and -3% thereafter). I shore charge with a xantrex 40A
> charger. I spend 5 night offshore 10 times a year.
>
> The batteries started their life as 2 separate banks of 268 batteries then
> I joined them in parallel 2 years ago on my boat rewire project per Jeff's
> notes. My guess is that one battery failed and killed the other battery in
> parallel. Maybe I abused on battery before I paralleled them?
>
> I was able to install these myself. But I was at my limit.
>
> Question:
> 1. Is 4 years reasonable for flooded batteries
> 2. Is there some sort of smart breaker I can apply to my Adler-Barbour
> refrigerator
> to idot proof not running my refrigerator when my batteries are say less
> than 12.2vdc.
> 3. I'm running Bulk charging for at 14.4 volts for at least 1 hours under
> from by balmar. Much has been written about this topic so I just like to
> get your take on this Warren, Jeff... others
>
> Battery Supplier for Interstate SRM-4D:
> General Truck Supplies
> Cost : $445 each
> Next day delivery to store
> 1515 Anaheim Street
> Wilmington, CA 90744
> 310 952-1040
>
> Danny
> #972
>



-- 
Chris Burti
Farmville, NC