[C320-list] New House Batteries

[Scott Thompson]

I did a bit of Googling about this and did find numerous sites 
supporting Warren's recommendation. And to be clear, if I was installing 
a setup from scratch I would follow Warren's advice. However the issue 
is likely to be most significant for banks with multiple batteries in 
parallel, and is not an issue unless there is a voltage drop over the 
cables making the parallel connections. If those are heavy, well made 
cables with clean battery connections and good crimps then this 
shouldn't be an issue unless you are drawing very heavy loads from the 
house bank. (The examples I saw online worked out alarming details for 
loads on the order of 100 amps.) In any event you can test for it by 
measuring the voltage drop between two connected battery posts under 
heavy load or charging conditions.

Scott

On 12/1/2016 5:23 PM, Jon Vez wrote:
> Warren is absolutely correct. A good source is Mainesail's site at Compass marine. He provides a very clear explanation. This summer I replaced my batteries with Rolls and the user guide emphasizes doing this when paralleling them...
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
>> On Dec 1, 2016, at 4:10 PM, Warren Updike <wupdike at hotmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> I can't find the source of the information; but, here is my understanding. Think of it like flows of water. In a parallel connection, if you have the load pos and neg on the same battery #1, then the flow of least resistance is in and out of the same battery #1. As the charge degrades on that battery, makeup current flows from the connections with the other battery #2, to balance the charge across both batteries. This is different than connecting the pos load to battery #1, and the neg load to battery #2, which causes the load to flow smoothly through all 12 cells.
>>
>> The difference between the two banks seems trivial; but, according to what I read, from a reliable source I can't remember, the first example results in a greater load on the cells in battery #1, causing that battery to degrade sooner. We certainly don't want that.
>>
>> I welcome any challenges or support for this theory.
>>
>> Warren and Pattie Updike
>> 1994 C320 "Warr de Mar" #62
>> Middle River, Chesapeake Bay
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Scott Thompson [mailto:surprise at thompson87.com]
>> Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2016 6:47 AM
>> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] New House Batteries
>>
>> Warren, the logic of that escapes me. If the batteries are connected in
>> parallel then the positive terminals are tied together as are the
>> negative terminals. Assuming the cables and connections are all good, it
>> shouldn't matter which of the tied terminals also has the connection to
>> loads or charge source.
>>
>> Scott Thompson
>>
>>
>>> On 11/30/2016 5:07 PM, Warren Updike wrote:
>>> Jim, re fact that one batt goes first, here is a thought. If they are connected in parallel, the pos and neg cables should be attached to different batteries. This forces the load to pass through all 12 cells. If you have the original wiring with each battery separate, forget I said this.
>>> Warren
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: jbrown5093 at yahoo.com [mailto:jbrown5093 at yahoo.com]
>>> Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2016 8:35 AM
>>> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] New House Batteries
>>>
>>> Just replaced my second set of flooded 4Ds after 6 years. Interestingly it was battery 2 after 6 years on both sets that went first. I was happy with the flooded cells but the local boat yard (getting to old to muscle this set out) said that flooded cells are no longer considered acceptable by ABYC standards if they are housed in the salon or berths without separate ventilation-probably because of potential problems like Greg's. if true that might be a consideration if you need a survey for insurance or sale purposes in the next few years.
>>>
>>> On their recommendation I went to AGM Lifeline batteries. I had the Charles charger that did not support AGMs. Called Charles and they will convert the charger to AGM compatable for $75.  Great people to work with-much like Garhauer.
>>>
>>> Jim Brown
>>> Desafinado 973
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>
>>>> On Nov 29, 2016, at 5:42 AM, Scott Westwood <scottwestwood at bellsouth.net> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>   John,
>>>> Do you have any pics on where you mounted your solar equip?  That may be our next large purchase.
>>>> Thanks,
>>>> Scott Westwood scottwestwood at bellsouth.net H (919)-362-8538    C (919)-618-7185
>>>>
>>>>       From: John Morrison <sail-ability at sympatico.ca>
>>>> To: "C320-List at Catalina320.com" <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
>>>> Sent: Monday, November 28, 2016 8:45 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] New House Batteries
>>>>
>>>> Conventional wisdom of this group has been recommending the deep cycle Interstate battery. I purchased 2 several years ago and they R performing well.  My boat has a 55amp alternator and rather than upgrade it I installed a 185W solar panel. I highly recommend this upgrade haven't plugged into shore pwr in 2 seasons.
>>>> JohnM 1999#574
>>>>
>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>
>>>>> On Nov 28, 2016, at 8:32 PM, Dean Agee <dagee at iserv.net> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Our recently purchased 2002 - 320 came with 4 ½ year old batteries which I
>>>>> discovered to be 4D PowerSource Industrial/Tractor Batteries.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> A recent overnight trip convinced me that they are heading towards the end
>>>>> of their life.  Identical replacement batteries are $164 each.  The Marine
>>>>> equivalents run around $600-$700.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Does anyone have thoughts on battery replacement?  I don’t mind spending the
>>>>> extra money – but would like to know what I’m getting for the money.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Also, in another post, the owner of an early series boat – in the #160s –
>>>>> said that the Catalina supplied alternator was “undersized”.  Does anyone
>>>>> know if Catalina upgrade the alternator in later boats?
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks!
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Dean Agee
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> AhSeaHola #912
>>>>>
>>