BATTERY CHOICE . . .

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IN MY CRUISER I HAVE TWO BATTERIES AND ABOUT TO REPLACE THEM. I DON'T WANT TO MIX SO DOES ANYONE HAVE A RECOMMENDATION. I AM THINKING TWO HIGH CAPACITY DEEP CYCLE OR TO HIGH CAPACITY STARTING TYPE BATTERIES. YOUR THOUGHTS. I HAVE A BATTERY SWITCH (ONE, BOTH, TWO, OFF). I ALSO HAVE AN AC CHARGER THAT OPPORATES ON SHORE POWER.

THANKS
 

ccscott49

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Go for two high capacity leisure batteries, they will do for starting and domestic. You cant use dedicated deep cycle batteries for engine starting.
 

brianhumber

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Depends a lot on what your type of sailing is, and how you manage your electrical systems.
You will be told you must buy very expensive, deep cycle batteries with the word 'marine' on them for your domestic use.
I buy a large lorry type for both my engine and domestic which are dirt cheap, are lasting 6 years plus and give no trouble at all. I have fridges, GPS, radar, navtex etc and am not in a marina but on a swinging mooring so no charging when I am not on board. I just do not allow them to discharge deeply - simple, reliable and cost effective.
 

ParaHandy

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Agree entirely. Decent 100ampHr are very cheap. Try and keep charge up about once a month to prevent sulphation. That will kill them although they'll still last 3yrs even if you do not. The other bigger bonus (in keeping charge up) is that the engine starts more easily. This site is worth a visit:-

http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/
 

ParaHandy

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Should have mentioned that Halfords sell good quality digital voltmeter for £25-30 (don't bother with hygrometer) and decent charger for same money. A dvm is essential for battery maintenance.
 

colin_jones

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You are getting some sound advice above. If you go for the 'cheaper' semi traction batteries used by the haulage trade, you could use the money you save to get a battery management system like the Adverc, so that you always have batteries really well charged (and then the alternator does not need to work as hard to recharge them, nor the starter motor to grind away with poor cranking voltage) and a monitor so that you can actually see the rate of charge and even how much each circuit is taking out of the system.

Batteries then change from being a bit boring 'fit and forget' to being a lot of fun for the skipper and fascinating to any visitors.
 

charles_reed

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I've found 11 plate traction batteries (heavy duty) to be as good as deep cycle, unless you're always running your batteries right down and leaving them uncharged.

My domestic 125 ah heavy duty lasted 11 years, admittedly with an Adverc smart regulator to make sure it was fully charged.

I also condition all 3 batteries at least once a season - for that you need to use a digital voltmeter and a good pulse charger.
 
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Decisions! Decisions! Decisions!

Charles, could you give us some more information about the pulse charger please?
 

VMALLOWS

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Charles,

Please explain your thinking behind 'pulse charging'. I'm genuinely interested at the technical level. I know about 'stirring up the electrolyte' but have problems understanding why pulse should be better for the battery than pure DC. (I'm not talking about the efficiency of the process).

p.s. anyone know where 'BATTERY FORUM' on USENET is these days or if it still exists? I think it was on scitech but not certain.....thanks.
 

dickhicks

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Fit good quality leisure batteries, look at the Adverc web site for good advice. I had 2 gel Sonneshein batteries when I bought the boat which faded completely this spring so I fitted 2 x Exide 6110M (679) at a cost of £125 for the two from ATS- (Sonneshein gel batteries were very expensive!) So far pleased with them.
 

ccscott49

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If you are paying £62.5 for your batteries, you are being done! £40 tops for 12 a/h semi traction batteries from exeter batteries. Trade you can get them for £32! South african, magic eye, semi sealed, I had hem on board 5 years now, on a liveaboard boat, still in prisine condition.
 
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