Battery and Charger Change Time

[Habebty]

I have posted replies a couple of times when people have asked about whether AGMs are worth the money, and replied in my view, very much yes.
Well, after nearly 18 years, my AGMs have now expired. Very nearly spectacularly so, as when I got to the boat yesterday, I noticed the 3 stage charger was working it’s nuts off and the batteries were hot and bulging because one of the batteries had ceased to hold a charge. I should add that the charger is always left on when connected to shore power to permit a maintenance charge and has been for 18 years (obviously when not sailing)
So, as the battery box area is a little small and i would like to replace my old Energy Squadron 100ah x 3 with similar, these are only AGMs I can find that fit, does anyone have anything bad to say about them?
TN Power AGM Battery - 100Ah (TNE 12-100)

Also I am considering upgrading the charger to this so any comments welcome. I like the idea of the bluetooth monitoring app.
Victron Blue Smart IP22 Bluetooth Battery Charger - 12V 30A, 3 outputs

I will connect the batteries 2 x 100ah as house, and 1 x 100 ah for starting, charging simply by the alternator or shorepower as this arrangement seems to have worked well over the years. Any thoughts or comments on this also welcome.

 

[Tranona]

Just been through this. See here forums.ybw.com/index.php?threads/battery-installations.581313/

Similar size bank but my choice was limited by the space being long and low rather than tall and narrow so can't comment on alternatives that size. However the data sheet for the TNs shows very similar characteristics and are typical of AGMs at this price point so no reason why they should not do the job. I have bought a lot from 12 Volt Planet and it has all been good quality. I shall be fitting the same type of charger which seems to be the best value on the market and a reputable make. Pleased to se that it can be operated without resorting to an "app" - good for oldies like me.

 

[Habebty]

Just been through this. See here forums.ybw.com/index.php?threads/battery-installations.581313/

Similar size bank but my choice was limited by the space being long and low rather than tall and narrow so can't comment on alternatives that size. However the data sheet for the TNs shows very similar characteristics and are typical of AGMs at this price point so no reason why they should not do the job. I have bought a lot from 12 Volt Planet and it has all been good quality. I shall be fitting the same type of charger which seems to be the best value on the market and a reputable make. Pleased to se that it can be operated without resorting to an "app" - good for oldies like me.

Thanks for that. Here is a pic of how the battery casings distorted…

 

[Tranona]

Not a pretty sight! You have had your money's worth out of them though. still surprised at the resistance to AGMs for anybody planning to keep a boat for a few years, particularly now they have dropped in price compared with the better FLAs.

 

[William_H]

The distorted case of the batteries makes me wonder how close they were to damaging the boat if charger kept pumping current in to them. Makes me think perhaps for safety when leaving a boat and looking for maintenance (trikle ) charge solar panels might be a far safer bet. Being limited in current supply capability. Or just fit a tiny current charger. ol'will

 

[ChromeDome]

If there is extra space even when the new batteries are put in the box, I would make sure there is space between them so heat can escape.

I'm not certain if the charger you're looking at can independently charge and control each battery bank or if it's actually one charger with three connections (all three batteries receive the same 6-step charging process).

If you fit a battery charger that can charge the two channels house/start independently, they need to be separable. Same principle if you want to charge the three batteries independently, which I would choose.

 

[Daverw]

As you have your three batteries in parallel they all get the same charge so why a three output charger?

 

[Poecheng]

Hi Peter,
What I did was to make the three into a single domestic bank and added a Red Flash 1000 as an engine start battery in the small compartment immediately aft of the battery compartment. Depends how much capacity you need for the domestic bank which largely depends on how much fridge !
A

 

[Tranona]

As you have your three batteries in parallel they all get the same charge so why a three output charger?

Only 2, the house pair are in parallel, the third is an engine start battery (as the OP says. As it happens they are all the same type so the charger is set to the appropriate setting for the type. Sterling recommend if you have a mix of types you set to the lowest setting so you do not overcharge. So for mine if I only wanted to charge the 2 Exides and the Odyssey, they are bot AGMs with the same recommended charge profile, but if I wanted to add the bow battery to the mains charger I would have to lower the setting as that is an FLA leisure battery. I shall not bother with that as it only powers the windlass which would only be used when the engine is running and getting a charge from the B2B. I might not even bother with the Odyssey as this will be fully charged from the alternator when the engine is running and I can always use the parallel switch to use the house batteries to start the engine. I have a portable 8A charger as well.

 

[Habebty]

If there is extra space even when the new batteries are put in the box, I would make sure there is space between them so heat can escape.

I'm not certain if the charger you're looking at can independently charge and control each battery bank or if it's actually one charger with three connections (all three batteries receive the same 6-step charging process).

If you fit a battery charger that can charge the two channels house/start independently, they need to be separable. Same principle if you want to charge the three batteries independently, which I would choose.

Thanks, after your post I did double check with the tech guy at the chandlery ( who will match the price) and each channel is capable of a separate charging regime dependant on each bank state.