Batteries

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Andy49

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Hi,
Hopefully won't get a double-post as I tried to post this a few days ago but haven't seen anything appear as yet!
After a bit of help on batteries for our Sealine S28 on the Thames which seem to have died over the winter.
The boat is single engine and currently has 3 12v 110ah Varta batteries (2 are model 81310, 1 is 61047).
Looking in the user manual this shows 95ah batteries so I'm not sure if we need the 110ah type or if this adds something?
Just wondering what is best to replace them with and any recommendations of make etc. - boat is mainly on shore power and not heavily used sadly so maybe not as critical as at sea etc.
I have seen Numax CXV batteries at reasonable cost on a few websites - any good?

Many thanks,
Andy
 
I think there is a delay for new users first posts as they go via the moderators.

Assuming you have twin engines I am guessing that there is one battery for each engine and one domestic? This would be usual with maybe one of the engine batteries linked in to the domestic supply. If you have a single engine then it is likely that you have two domestic batteries.

I am no electrician so in simple terms my understanding is that engine start needs cranking power and domestics need to keep going whilst not on shore power. I think there is a correlation between amp hours and cranking amps so the 110ah will last a bit longer than the 95ah when not on shore power and should give a little more oomph when starting the engines. If the manual says that 95ah is what is required then they should start the engines okay.

I guess you pays your money and takes your choice as the 95ah will be a little cheaper but not quite as powerful.

Worth joining the Sealine Forum if you aren't already on there. One member is in the battery business (forum name batteryman surprisingly enough) and his company have an advert on the front page near the bottom. A quick call to him would probably be worthwhile.
 
From what I have read over the last few days, we are lost ;) EU has some standard specs for how you rate a battery, but that doesnt apply to marine batteries as they can be rated at different temps etc.
So, what are you buying ? Who knows ! It seems that the one useful measurement (was it residual power?) isnt quoted by anyone.
Measure your battery dimensions and note the layout of the terminals, as most cables wont reach if you buy a battery with the terminals reversed. Some batteries also have second terminals for connecting auxilliary cabling, so see if you need that.
Basically, there are starting batteries that will have a quoted cranking rate. In theory the higher that number the more you can turn over an engine I guess.These starter batteries are designed for a very short, full power drain. Then for the domestics you need a different battery- one that can supply some power for many hours- so called deep cycle. Now, both starter and deep cycle seem rather vague terms on all the websites, and you can also get a combination battery that is supposed to do both.
Just as one website, batterymegastore.co.uk will give you a wide selection (check those measurements and terminal layout), and then you sort of buy how much power you want (if you can believe any of the numbers!) and how long a guarantee. You will see starter batteries are cheaper than deep cycle. In theory a deep cycle battery wont quote a cranking rate, but that could just be an advertisers trick ;)
Of course, the better rated the battery, the more it costs, and the less likely you are to over discharge it. £75-110 I guess for many of them. Then it is sort of up to you. Alphaline seem rated by some and seems good price for the money, but who knows ! I would say mine have lasted about three years.
I did read that the warranty is only for the remaining life. So if it is knackered after 3 out of 4 years, you could only claim 25pct of the value. I dont know if that is true.
Edit re warranty. Well, no, that isnt the case with batterymegastore, as I just asked. Two options (I list the easiest)- you fully charge the battery and take it to a garage or Halfords and ask them to test it and give a printed report (free?). If the report suggests the battery is faulty, send the report and invoice to b-m-store. If they concur, they will send a new battery out FOC.
 
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You want batterymegastoreuk (google), and you'll need one XV27 and two DC27's. CHECK dimensions, go for greater capacity (eg XV31 or DC31) if they'll fit.

I actually read your post and realise you have one engine (hint hint greg2... :) )

These Alphaline batteries are deffo on the cheap end of the market, but I have six of various sizes on my boat and I'm very happy with them.

My cruising tends to be away for a week at a time, so I'm reasonably dependent on my batteries for power. Charged by generator every morning, last for 24hrs running fridge, lighting and occasional electric blanket use after generator off.

There'll be loads more opinions re quality and cost (ranging from Numax to Trojan and everything in between) but for occasional use, low cost and so far good longevity I can recommend the ones I've mentioned above.

Cheers :)
 
rosssavage said:
These Alphaline batteries are deffo on the cheap end of the market, but I have six of various sizes on my boat and I'm very happy with them.

Cheers :)
Click to expand...

Agree, I have two Alphaline batteries 1xleisure and 1xstarter, had them both for about 2 years and so far no problems. By the way, batterymegastore also list on ebay which for some reason is cheaper then their own website.
 
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I just bought a pair of 110Ah leisure batteries from Halfords. They were £150 each, but they're now down to £80 as Halfords are changing their supplier and flogging them off cheap.
 
Thanks again
Think I'll shoot down to the boat later this week / weekend and double-check the space / wiring before ordering the new battery just to make sure.
Guess it's all part of the learning curve but these floaty things sure seem adept at finding endless ways to squeeze the wallet!
Cheers
Andy
 
Your best bet is to go for a manufacturer who make wet leisure (deep cycle) batteries, exide, varta, trojan and banner, the rest are generally standard cranking batteries badged as leisure. Not perfect but a good indication of the batteries quality is if it meets EN 50342. check the batteries c20 value, the longer the depletion time the grater the ah
 
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