Battery failure

[MontyMariner]

Went down to the boat the other day to get it ready for lift out today. My 2x120ah lead acid bank was down to 10.4v
Separated them and sorted out which one had failed (solar to each one in turn).
Absolutely disgusted that it has only lasted 11 years (both bought from Alpha in 2014, Explorer range).
I put the other one in the bank on mains charge overnight then used it stand-alone all the next day running fridge, FM radio, then TV. The voltage took a nose dive to about 10.8v at about 20:00, recharged it again and have left it sitting idle (with solar trickle), will see what it's like on my next visit.
I replace my other bank last year with AGM's and have been very pleased with them, so it looks like I will go full AGM next year and ditch the 'good' L/A.
I wonder if I will get 11 years out of the AGM's

 

[shanemax]

Good old fashion simple reliable technology, and when they do fail they go out with a whimper. I have a spare 120 amp on charge with a stand alone 5 amp solar panel now in its 6th year. L A still trusted by all the major car manufactures.

 

[Refueler]

Good old fashion simple reliable technology, and when they do fail they go out with a whimper. I have a spare 120 amp on charge with a stand alone 5 amp solar panel now in its 6th year. L A still trusted by all the major car manufactures.

Think that should be amended to : AGM LA is spec'd by most car manufacturers - especially when looking at high end SUV / MPV etc. Many such as Range Rover / Land Cruiser etc are now setup to manage AGM in their vehicles ... put a standard LA in and you will not see good life out of it !

 

[yoxyn438]

Went down to the boat the other day to get it ready for lift out today. My 2x120ah lead acid bank was down to 10.4v
Separated them and sorted out which one had failed (solar to each one in turn).
Absolutely disgusted that it has only lasted 11 years (both bought from Alpha in 2014, Explorer range).
I put the other one in the bank on mains charge overnight then used it stand-alone all the next day running fridge, FM radio, then TV. The voltage took a nose dive to about 10.8v at about 20:00, recharged it again and have left it sitting idle (with solar trickle), will see what it's like on my next visit.
I replace my other bank last year with AGM's and have been very pleased with them, so it looks like I will go full AGM next year and ditch the 'good' L/A.
I wonder if I will get 11 years out of the AGM's

Eleven years out of lead acids on a boat that actually gets used isn’t the worst run, even if it feels annoying when one finally gives up. The drop to 10.4 pretty much screams a dead cell.


If your AGM bank has been behaving well so far, you’ll probably be happier going all in on that setup. I switched mine a few seasons ago and the consistency alone made it worth it. You might not squeeze eleven years out of them, but you’ll get fewer surprises.

 

[jwilson]

I had a car battery go from no known problem (not even slow starting) to 3 volts overnight, after about a 200 mile run the day before. Nothing left on, just the tiny drain from the alarm. Wouldn't even open the doors from the fob. The Green Flag mechanic took TWO jump packs to start it (2.5L diesel) and said that batteries these days sometimes just instantly died like this.

 

[lustyd]

and when they do fail they go out with a whimper

Except when they release hydrogen and explode/catch fire. Then they’re a nightmare. Thankfully modern batteries don’t have those issues.

 

[Refueler]

I had a car battery go from no known problem (not even slow starting) to 3 volts overnight, after about a 200 mile run the day before. Nothing left on, just the tiny drain from the alarm. Wouldn't even open the doors from the fob. The Green Flag mechanic took TWO jump packs to start it (2.5L diesel) and said that batteries these days sometimes just instantly died like this.

My Range Rover did it couple of days ago ...

 

[shanemax]

In 20 years time Lithium will be like Blackberry phones, superseded by better safer tech but lead acid will still be there. as it is safe, reliable and for £100 a battery that will last trouble free for at least 3 years. has to be a bargain and yes.....No BMS.

 

[lustyd]

In 20 years time Lithium will be like Blackberry phones, superseded by better safer tech but lead acid will still be there. as it is safe, reliable and for £100 a battery that will last trouble free for at least 3 years. has to be a bargain and yes.....No BMS.

Doubtful. Lead is less safe than LiFePo4, and an equivalent LFP can be had for £200 that lasts for the whole 20 years.

 

[Alex_Blackwood]

The fish are biting today

 

[lustyd]

The fish are biting today

He keeps saying silly things, the rest of us have to keep correcting him in case an innocent person finds the thread and makes bad choices based on his trolling.

 

[Snowgoose-1]

Thread drift , but I had an interesting experience with some lithium rechargeable 1.5v AA batteries.

I had one powering a clock, which stopped, and the voltmeter showed zero volts. I recharged it (the type of battery that has a USB port) and it charged to 1.5v again with no problems.

 

[MontyMariner]

safe, reliable and for £100 a battery that will last trouble free for at least 3 years.

Shouldn't that be trouble free until just out of warranty?

 

[MontyMariner]

Just to be clear, I have had no problems with Alpha's Explorer range. I've used them for many years and get good life out of them, I would recommend them to anyone who's after LA.

 

[shanemax]

Doubtful. Lead is less safe than LiFePo4, and an equivalent LFP can be had for £200 that lasts for the whole 20 years.

I don't think I would sleep well on my boat, knowing I had a 20 year old lithium battery on board. tic, tic, tic, tic,

 

[Tranona]

I don't think I would sleep well on my boat, knowing I had a 20 year old lithium battery on board. tic, tic, tic, tic,

I was feeling pretty miserable this morning as it was frosty and the forecast is for heavy rain this afternoon.

Then I read your ramblings and burst into laughter. Good to know that there are still people who are blind to the truth and happy to show their ignorance in public!

 

[billcole]

I had a car battery go from no known problem (not even slow starting) to 3 volts overnight, after about a 200 mile run the day before. Nothing left on, just the tiny drain from the alarm. Wouldn't even open the doors from the fob. The Green Flag mechanic took TWO jump packs to start it (2.5L diesel) and said that batteries these days sometimes just instantly died like this.

I have heard the cause of this kind of failure is that debris that gradually falls off the plates collects relatively harmlessly in the bottom of the cells until it reaches the level of the bottom of the plates, at which time the battery self-discharges through the debris and so rapidly goes flat.

 

[Refueler]

I have heard the cause of this kind of failure is that debris that gradually falls off the plates collects relatively harmlessly in the bottom of the cells until it reaches the level of the bottom of the plates, at which time the battery self-discharges through the debris and so rapidly goes flat.

Basically all flooded wet LA batterys accumulate crud on the bottom ... years ago - you could buy an additive you put a few drops into each cells to try and break it up ... whether it worked or not I have no idea - but I know a few people who reckoned they got a bit more life out of their batterys with it.

But a modern AGM would unlikely to suffer this due to its electrolyte form etc.

 

[PaulRainbow]

I don't think I would sleep well on my boat, knowing I had a 20 year old lithium battery on board. tic, tic, tic, tic,

But you're happy to keep hydrogen generating, explosive, lead acid onboard.

 

[NBs]

Everyone does what they think is best. Now, after a few long seasons with LIFEPO4, I'm think never again lead home bank