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 'Need battery advice ...		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1775 Posts
Initially Posted - 09/20/2002 :  15:46:16  Show Profile
Hi everyone,

I am starting to redo the electrical system on my boat ... it is a MESS. It is a one-battery system, and I'm converting to a two-battery system.

When I bought the boat, there was an extra battery on board (it was never hooked up). The other battery is completely shot, but I charged this one and put a load on it, and it checks out OK. Still, I am skeptical about hooking this one up with a brand new one.

Would I be better off buying two completely new batteries? BTW, the working battery is marine grade, and it is a standard battery (ie. not a gel-cell). I am going to stick with non-gel-cell batteries because my charger is designed for that type of battery.

Thanks in advance for your help/suggestions!

Buzz Maring, C-25 SK/SR #68, "Freya"
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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts
Response Posted - 09/20/2002 :  19:15:10  Show Profile
Buzz: I'm not sure what you mean by "hooking up with..." Everything I've heard and read says two batteries should be set up so one does one thing (such as starting), the other does something else (house), and each can be charged separately. That way, if one goes (or is) bad, it doesn't take out the other with it.

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT
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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1775 Posts
Response Posted - 09/20/2002 :  20:11:49  Show Profile
Buzz: I'm not sure what you mean by "hooking up with..." Dave Bristle

Dave,

I'm talking about using the usual switch with "OFF -- 1 -- BOTH -- 2"

Buzz Maring, C-25 SK/SR #68, "Freya"
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Ken Cave
Navigator

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USA
148 Posts
Response Posted - 09/20/2002 :  23:02:53  Show Profile
First, you need to assess the current needed on a trip to run all the goodies on your boat. You might find that one battery is sufficient to take care of things for a week!

On my swinger, I did finally install a group 27 gel as those puppies can really get discharged and then build up to a full charge without the problems of wet cells. I could, for a week, run my Autohelm, radio, VHF, and interior lights without a problem.

On my Cape Dory, I now have a frig, radar, autohelm, microwave, inboard engine, lights, and have a bank of five batteries (four 6 volt and one 12 volt) to carry the load-but even that will last about four days without a charge!

If you are not into month long cruising, you might be happy with one good battery!

Ken Cave
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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts
Response Posted - 09/22/2002 :  08:35:41  Show Profile
Me again, Buzz... I'm not really qualified to advise on this, but I will recommend Don Casey's book <i>Sailboat Electrics Simplified</i>--I picked one up at West, and Amazon presumably has it. It has a lot of info on battery requirements and selection, and on overall wiring layout.

Then, after assessing your needs (as Ken suggests and Don Casey explains), I'd think hard about going to a single gel battery for safety as well as deep cycle characteristics. A new charger could be less expense and hassle than a whole new system that may need more frequent battery replacement. (Wet batteries are more prone to failure, especially when discharged too far.)

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT
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gerdo
Navigator

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107 Posts
Response Posted - 09/23/2002 :  10:36:31  Show Profile
And the good news is that COSTCO has started carrying optima batteries. Best prices I have seen so far. Deep cycle marine for $146.
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jellyfish
Navigator

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USA
171 Posts
Response Posted - 09/23/2002 :  11:24:26  Show Profile
my system is very simple, I have 2 deep cells. I keep one on my motor charging and the other running the house. when the house runs down, the other is charged and I just swap them out!
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.