Batteries in Poole

[lustyd]

Hi everyone we’re out and about at the moment and just found the house bank can now only manage about 30Ah before voltage dives and things like the fridge stop working. That’s fine, the batteries are pretty old I think and I just had to replace the charger so assume the old broken charger murdered them.

Can any locals recommend options for buying replacements in Poole please? We won’t have a car so ideally near the water but we can get taxis if necessary. Probably looking for AGMs again as I won’t have time to make changes for lithium and they don’t seem to be in stock anywhere anyway!

 

[harvey38]

Reckon a Google search would be a starting point.

 

[lustyd]

I did and it wasn’t, hence asking for the advice of local people who may have good information. Sometimes people are the most helpful resource. Not always, obviously.

 

[harvey38]

I did and it wasn’t, hence asking for the advice of local people who may have good information. Sometimes people are the most helpful resource. Not always, obviously.

Maybe contact a local marine company and seek their advice

 

[lustyd]

If no helpful people turn up here I might. Usually someone on here has good advice though

 

[Hunterlees]

Tayna batteries online usually deliver next day - might be an option?

 

[Stemar]

Tayna batteries online usually deliver next day - might be an option?

That was my first thought too. Get 'em delivered to the marina. Also Battery Megastore. I've bought from both over the years.

 

[lustyd]

Haha yes I did consider that but we’re not certain where we’ll end up yet given the quantity of weather we have this week currently in Beaulieu and just been told the chandler here may have batteries so fingers crossed we may sort it today.

 

[Paul1962]

I can recommend Shield Batteries - 01202-667728 - they may even deliver if you tell then your situation.
No affiliation just a satisfied customer having dealt with them over the years.

Regards

 

[Martin_J]

I know others suggested an Internet search and Google results are not always relevant.

For this type of search I would usually go to Google maps, zoom in on the area I'm interested in, then just put 'batteries' in the search bar instead of a place name..



Seems to come up with Shield batteries as well top left.

 

[PetiteFleur]

I've used battery megastore - good prices and they deliver next day to where you are - I did this when in Limehouse Basin in London. Told the office and they were fine about it.

 

[Tranona]

Another recommendation for Shield Batteries. If they can't deliver, give me a shout and I can run you round there. Or if you want to go the mail order route have them delivered to me - I live 15 minutes from any of the marinas in Poole

 

[MontyMariner]

AGM Gel Leisure Battery - Cheap Gel Leisure Batteries - Express Next Day Delivery - Alpha Batteries
also do next day delivery.

 

[lustyd]

Another recommendation for Shield Batteries. If they can't deliver, give me a shout and I can run you round there. Or if you want to go the mail order route have them delivered to me - I live 15 minutes from any of the marinas in Poole

Much appreciated thanks. If they have a trade counter we should be ok I think. I’m also considering just accepting the pain for this holiday and going Lithium when we get back although that feels like an extravagant solution to a simple problem

 

[Tranona]

They are very helpful - or were on both occasions I used them. Delevered and put on board the first time. second time smaller batteries and got a good discount. .

Not sure "distress" purchases are a good idea for batteries if you can cope until you do the proper job as you are stuck with your decision for a few years unless you are prepared to ditch them.

Personally I think lithium is overrated unless you are going the whole hog of getting rid of gas etc. Decent AGMs will last 8-10 years and if bank is big enough cope with most demands for coastal cruising. Things will be different next time aroiund though!

 

[lustyd]

Agree about distress purchases, I’m certainly not going to buy any old batteries.
Having just installed Starlink our current draw can be high especially when the fridge comes on. Charging is also slow on AGMs which Lithium will solve at the cost of some complexity and enormous expense. I think new AGMs are the way for now and I may leave lithium for the next boat

 

[Jacana139]

+1 for Shield Batteries Poole Branch. On the 30th December 2019 I arrived at Jacana to find flat batteries. (I had suspected they were getting bad at the end of the Season) I disconnected and took them round to Shield. They tried to charge them overnight. The starter battery was shot and the leisure battery just Ok. I went back on New Years Eve morning and they recommended replacing them both with Duracell Advanced 95AH rather than one starter and one leisure. I took them to the boat and fitted them where they have stayed ever since trickle charged by a 20w NASA solar panel + alternator. They spend most of the time switched together. Helpful knowledgeable people in my experience.

 

[Andrew_Trayfoot]

Another +1 for Shield.
Very helpful and friendly.

 

[Tranona]

Agree about distress purchases, I’m certainly not going to buy any old batteries.
Having just installed Starlink our current draw can be high especially when the fridge comes on. Charging is also slow on AGMs which Lithium will solve at the cost of some complexity and enormous expense. I think new AGMs are the way for now and I may leave lithium for the next boat

Very wise. The next 4 or 5 years will see the costs fall and better to make the investment at the start of the ownership of a boat when you will likely get the full benefit.