[C320-list] totally shot D-4 Batteries

[KEN GEIGER]

 Hi Chris, Yea I am wondering how one removes and reinstalls the 4D batteries given the weight.  Mine are AGMs.  Table out of the way, stairs out?  what else.  Hoists, strong young hands and backs??
Who has done it.
Thanks 
Ken Geiger#765 2000  Northern Dream
    On Sunday, July 16, 2023 at 03:45:23 p.m. EDT, Chris Burti via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:  
 
 Just a couple of comments.
I typically got seven years or more out of commercial duty 4D’s by keeping them watered and not running them down below 50%. Hard to find true commercial duty batteries because they don’t publish all the construction details, but weight is a key tell…heavier plates  = more cycles. Price for these is far less than AGM’s. (That said, I am running Lifeline AGM 12 v.  8D’s and 6 v. GPL-6CT’s in three banks in our Grand Banks; engine, house and inverter)

At one time I intended to convert Commitment to 4, 6 v. GPL-6CT’s to increase capacity and make them easier to load aboard. To do this, you need a slightly longer battery tray. I had a couple fabricated out of stainless steel for the project, but I never completed the project. I also made an insert to fit the gap behind the wheel in the cockpit seating with swivel post socket insert for at all captain’s chair so that I wouldn’t have cut  a hole in the original Catalina filler. I still have that also.

Anybody willing to pick either of them up is welcome to them.

Best regards,
Chris Burti
Formerly Commitment #867.
Farmville, NC

From: Louis Spitz via C320-list
Sent: Sunday, July 16, 2023 11:19 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Cc: Louis Spitz
Subject: [C320-list] totally shot D-4 Batteries

Looking for thoughts on replacing vs. changing systems on my 1995  #195.
There are so many new battery technologies that I’m ovewhelmed.  I’d like to hear experiences from folks who went down these paths.
Thanks.
Louis Spitz
‘Merry Chase’
1995  #195.