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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Battery specification needed

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Bruce Baker
Captain

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USA
402 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/02/2003 : 10:07:26

I think my old battery is ready for replacement. What size battery should I buy to replace it? I see that Sears has some marine die-hards on sale for $54. Is that a good price? I know that West Marine has some no-brand ones that are cheaper.

Bruce Baker
Falls Church, VA
"Yee Ha" 3573
'83SR/SK

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2003 : 10:36:20

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>I think my old battery is ready for replacement. What size battery should I buy to replace it? <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

This would depend on your electrical needs aboard your vessel.

About two years ago I purchased a name brand(Exide, I think?) group 27 marine deep cycle battery(can't recall the Amp hours?) from Sam's Club and I believe when I bought it, it only cost around $50-$60.00...I think?

Jeez...I can't remember squat!

<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>Don Lucier<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d904b3127cce9f7cd9ffdf1d0000003010" border=0>
North Star SR/FK

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2003 : 12:07:30

I was just at Wal-Mart and I checked out the marine batteries. They sell an Everstart marine group 27 deep cycle battery that has 115 Amp hours, 600 CCA, and 720 MCA. It is a maintenance free battery that is fully warranted for 1 year and prorated for up to 2 years. It sells for $54.93.

They did have a group 24 battery for around $40.00, but it only has 75 Amp hours. For the extra couple of bucks, I would get the larger capacity battery.

<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>Don Lucier<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d904b3127cce9f7cd9ffdf1d0000003010" border=0>
North Star SR/FK

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2003 : 16:33:40

I have 2 75 amp hour group 24 Gel batteries. Gels have a lot of pros. As a sealed battery, there is no liquid acid and no possibility of a leak. No need to ever add water. They can be mounted on their sides. They have a very low self discharge rate (meaning they can sit a long time without losing charge). They do not outgas hydrogen when charging. You can expect about 500 full discharge cycles.

The only cons are that they can not take overcharging or over voltage. This is not a problem with my onboard 3 amp charger, 22 watt solar panel and 5 amp engine alternator. However I use a voltage regulator just to be safe. Also, you proabably get slightly lower amp hours per dollar compared to buying wet, deep cycle batteries.

I think the gels are a lot safer on board. Much safer lugging around the dock and installing!

<img src="http://www.indiscipline.org/cat25/pictures/icon.jpg" border=0>Indiscipline 1978 FK #398

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 07/03/2003 : 11:02:07

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>The only cons are that they can not take overcharging or over voltage. This is not a problem with my onboard 3 amp charger, 22 watt solar panel and 5 amp engine alternator. However I use a voltage regulator just to be safe. Also, you proabably get slightly lower amp hours per dollar compared to buying wet, deep cycle batteries.<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Gel cells are the ticket, but they are also quite expensive as compared to wet deep cycle batteries. A quick check in my West Marine catalog shows that a group 27 gel-cell costs $190.00, which is 3 1/2 times that of the group 27 battery I mentioned earlier. Additionally, the gel cell is rated at 86 Amp hours, whereas the wet cell is rated at 115 Amp hours.

As far as needing to add water to my wet deep cycle, mine is a sealed, maintenance free battery than I couldn't add water to if I tried.

<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>Don Lucier<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d904b3127cce9f7cd9ffdf1d0000003010" border=0>
North Star SR/FK

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jsummerfield
1st Mate

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USA
96 Posts

Response Posted - 07/03/2003 : 20:16:29

Get a battery that fits the box.

John

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77Gypsy
Captain

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USA
356 Posts

Response Posted - 07/03/2003 : 22:35:03

it probably depends. i'm a power junky and never seem to have neough electricity. I now have 2 bateries. one for the motor and one for the house, i connect both to a charger so i can charge both simutamiously. I forget he sizes but my house battery is larger. i spent about $60-$80 each at west marine. if you want more details about myy setup, let me know.

Steve
78 C25 SR/FK - Gypsy
<img src="http://www.websdf.com/logo.jpg" border=0>

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