[C320-list] 4D Batteries

[Diane Fowler]

We had two gel batteries on Windy City, sale number 948, and we just got back from three days at anchor running the refrigerator and the TV and the batteries still had charge
Captain Diane Fowler, CRS, GRI, e-PRO

Nautical Realty Group, Inc.
Let me help make your sale a breeze.    

239-850-4935
Sent from my iPhone

> On Apr 14, 2024, at 1:11 PM, Jeff Hare via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
> 
> Jeff, we have used Lifeline AGM's. We bought them locally after shopping price.I recommend hard wiring them in parallel, installing the largest AGM automotive starting battery you can fit and want to afford.  Do not get a dual starting/deep cycle, they make terrible starting batteries for this engine.We like the Echo-Charge hooked between the house bank and the starting battery to ensure that the starting battery is always good to go, even if the house batteries get too low. There are many configurations you can use of course, but putting them in parallel will allow you to have the most usable amp hours from the charged pair while extending the life of the batteries because your discharge rate is half of what you'd draw using them individually.  So less plate damage over time.Jeff Hare
> -------- Original message --------From: Greg Flanagan via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> Date: 4/14/24  12:20 PM  (GMT-05:00) To: C320-List at catalina320.com Cc: Greg Flanagan <greg.flanagan at shaw.ca> Subject: Re: [C320-list] 4D Batteries Hi Jeff,I strongly recommend putting in a small solar system. My 2X4D 220AH batteries were installed in 2015 and are still working well (see attached), I believe this is because they have rarely been used beyond 70% with constant solar charging. I put the refrigerator on continuously from May 1 to October 15 and do not plug into shore power as my solar system (360W) is sufficient for all my electrical demand. All my lighting is LED including the anchor light.A lead acid 400AH battery bank (with 200AH available) is more than adequate for the 320. If you put in Lithium you could go with an ~ 200AH battery.GregHoop Dancer #1076Sidney, BC> On Apr 14, 2024, at 8:03 AM, Jeffrey Brown via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:> > Can someone recommend the best brand and option for new 4D batteries. Trying to find something that can allow us to use the refrigerator for more than a day or two, or is that never going to be possible no matter the brand. Don’t want to install solar, not worth it for us we only do long trips maybe once a year. We have hull 74 1994 and still has original charger/inverter, does that have something to do with it? Anyway, anxious to hear some feedback.> > > Jeff Brown> 949-350-5123