AC DELCO FREEDOM Batteries

[marcost]

I have 4 deepcycle ac delco freedom batteries on board, and they have 4,5 years now. Between Portugal and Madeira, I have noted that it takes longer and longer to charge them; it does not matter charging by the alternator on the engine or by 220 V battey charger with the generator.

What is the experience of other users of this batteries and are they buying the same again, when those batteries have to be replaced?

I will buy new batteries once in the Canaries.

Many thanks for your opinion.

Marc,

 

[Boathook]

Delco's now trade under the name Delphi. I have just replaced 2 voyager batteries with the same as they lasted nearly 9 years. They are not possibly deep cycled as the boat is weekend use and a 2 week holiday, but nearly 9 years I feel is good.

 

[VMALLOWS]

How are you determining when they are fully charged? They will gradually loose total capacity as they age, and also the 'rested' voltage (after being off charge for a few hours) will decrease. (from about 12.8v when new to about 12.4v when nearing end-of-life).

 

[Guest]

Not sure what your problem is but we had 2 Freedoms for 18 years. We had no problems at all. Engine would start in the coldest weather even after a couple of months idle. We replaced both with same type 2 years ago after one of them failed. Bukh 20 engine with normal alternator. No mains available for a charger.

 

[halcyon]

It sounds as though your suffering from under charging, each cycle is getting worse. Find a local battery dealer that knows Delco batteries, and get them bench charged.
AC Delco used to be, and assume they are still the same, require a higher voltage to charge them.
Going back to the back end of the 80's when Westerly started fitting Freedom, we used to produce aspecial charger for them that charged to 15.4 volt, then dropped to 14.4 volt float charge.
A normal alternator would cope with them if you never let the battery drop below 50/60%, and gave it a good charge. over Winter they should be bench charged by someone who knows Freedom batteries. If you leave them over winter without charging they assume the level you left them in, ie leaving a battery half charged, it will assume that capacity and never charge higher.
From Delco reports I read at the time it would appear that they relied on car vibration to aggitate the electrolyte, on a boat this vibration is missing, thus requires the higher voltage to produce a stirring action.

Brian