Batteries how do you know if they are good?

[Truro Ex Pat]

Hi Guys my boat has problem with batteries according to the engineer but they seem to hold charge and they drop down to just 7 amps after 5 hours of charing so it all seems ok to me but how do you know.
I have been told to do all 8 at quite a bit of dosh so a bit reluctant when nothing seems to be an issue at present.

 

[Momac]

If the batteries start the engine okay and otherwise holding a charge okay what’s the problem?

 

[admillington]

Hi Guys my boat has problem with batteries according to the engineer but they seem to hold charge and they drop down to just 7 amps after 5 hours of charing so it all seems ok to me but how do you know.
I have been told to do all 8 at quite a bit of dosh so a bit reluctant when nothing seems to be an issue at present.

I would suggest you have each battery tested individually and reported on - I had my ones tested on the SQ58 and have emailed you what the test sheet looked like.

Is the problem with the engine start battery set or the domestic set?

-Andrew

 

[jrudge]

We have had battery issues.

The snag was all of the batteries with an expensive bouche load tester were OK.

I did not see how this could be the case as domestic was dropping from 25 to about 16 volts over 3-4 hours.

So I turned off the chargers, left on a light load and came back 2 hours later.

Down to whatever voltage it was and tested then all again. 2 dud.

I assume that just off charge they would look OK and take large loads, but give them a bit and take out some juice and that showed the issue.

 

[andy59]

I had two fail , noticed the lights going dim after half an hour on anchor . Charged them for 24 hours then let rest for a couple of hours , two batts at about 12.1 v and two up around 13v . Changed all four , the two good ones are still working a year on running a diesel transfer pump on my brothers excavators.

 

[rubberduck]

How old are they, I had one go down & due to them now being 8 years old replaced the lot. A stitch in time IMO

 

[Truro Ex Pat]

They are only 3 years old and suggesting we replace them all.
I think we will try and disconnect the charger and see what happens.

 

[Whitelighter]

They are only 3 years old and suggesting we replace them all.
I think we will try and disconnect the charger and see what happens.

If you need batteries in Spain Tayna.co.uk will ship for sensible money.
I had 5 batteries shipped in 3 days at a fraction of the cost of sourcing in spain

 

[jon and michie]

Tayna are good suppliers and the batteries arrive well protected and packaged up.
Jon

 

[Hoopdriver]

I bought one of these. I saved myself a chunk of money as I was about to replace my leisure batteries unnecessarily based on their improbable length of service. They are still going strong, perhaps down to the fact that they have always been on a smart charger.

Google SEALEY BT103 Digital Battery Tester 12V. Other makes are available.

Seems to be the modern way of testing batteries. According to the experts, more reliable than hydrometers or load testers. Very handy to have on the boat so you can test periodically and monitor battery health over time.

 

[DavidJ]

Tayna are good suppliers and the batteries arrive well protected and packaged up.
Jon

Another vote for Tanya
Just bought 5 Enduroline leisure batteries 110Ah with 4 yr guarantee
I'm actually driving to Spain with them but they estimated about £130 for them to deliver to Spain

 

[Bouba]

Another vote for Tanya
Just bought 5 Enduroline leisure batteries 110Ah with 4 yr guarantee
I'm actually driving to Spain with them but they estimated about £130 for them to deliver to Spain

Don't do what I did once and forget to remove the little bung in the breather pipe

 

[DavidJ]

Don't do what I did once and forget to remove the little bung in the breather pipe

Duh!
There's a breather pipe?

 

[Bouba]

Duh!
There's a breather pipe?

If not an overflow tube, there still might be a vent with a bung, apologies if we are not talking about lead acid batteries

 

[DavidJ]

If not an overflow tube, there still might be a vent with a bung, apologies if we are not talking about lead acid batteries

Thanks Bouba for your "warning"
I've had a good look and no breather or bung.
The batteries are calcium, beats me what that is but the 4 yr guarentee gives me some confidence. Apparently they don't discharge as much as "other" batteries when left alone like mine for sometimes up to 6 months over the winter period in Spain.
My previous Varta batteries lasted 6 years so it may be sometime until I report back