Deep cycle batteries

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Chalker

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I realise that battery threads are only second to anchor threads!

I'm looking to replace my service batteries that have lost most of their capacity. 5 x 125AHr at present.
Replacements will be AGM or Flooded Wet cells.
They will be deep cycle, not starter or multi use leisure types.
I will be more disciplined in checking the wet cell water level in future!

Traction, PV and heavy plate deep cycle all seem to me to have a similar requirements, the ability to 50% or more discharge whist having a usable life. Traction batteries may also have a high current capability that I do not need.

Maximum load current is normally 20A. VERY occasionally it could be 100A, but that is only 20A per battery.

The 5 batteries are carefully wired to balance the charge/discharge currents.

Chargers are
Mastervolt 50A
Alternator 90A. Sterling regulator to be fitted
Solar 20A

Use is 24/365 long term cruising

Any recommendations?
 
"...........They will be deep cycle, not starter or multi use leisure types......." ???????

There is a lot of misinformation about batteries.

"........Watch the term leisure / deep cycle as it simply does not exist. The standard, so called, leisure batteries, are simply starter batteries with extra support for the active lead material......."

a quote from http://www.sterling-power.com/support-faq-2.htm

This is worth reading before making a decision.
 
Trojan are popular brand of deep cycle batteries. AGM and flooded both available.
 
Is the general advice not to buy the cheapest heaviest flooded batteries you can find. That way the risk is less should you accidently discharge them fully. I wonder if the expensive ones really last much longer in 'normal' use, i.e. abuse.
 
pmagowan said:
Is the general advice not to buy the cheapest heaviest flooded batteries you can find. That way the risk is less should you accidently discharge them fully. I wonder if the expensive ones really last much longer in 'normal' use, i.e. abuse.
Click to expand...

If one's normal use is abuse, then yes. If it isn't, then no.
For my next trick I define the length of a piece of string ;)
 
Chalker said:
Traction, PV and heavy plate deep cycle all seem to me to have a similar requirements, the ability to 50% or more discharge whist having a usable life. Traction batteries may also have a high current capability that I do not need.
Click to expand...

PV are a bit different in that usually they are sized for several days capacity cover in poor light conditions, so they are not deep discharged as regularly as traction.
Design optimisation is therefore a bit different, one concentration is on low self discharge which conflicts with the most resistant cycling alloys as used in e.g. T105.
PVs are quite often gel which I would not recommend for your use because of limited charge current.

If you're happy with wet, I doubt if there is better value than T 105.
If you want AGM you'll have to pay up for good ones and treat them carefully. I hope Sailinglegend will respond to you about his experience with Lifeline batteries.
 
macd said:
Why should on a boat make any difference? If I were a battery, something like a golf cart's where I wouldn't want to be.
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If I were a bettery manufacturer trying to get good figures for my battery I would not choose a boat to test it on. I would choose a temperature controlled, dry laboratory. I would run it in the optimal way for good results not plug it into an alternator from a diesel engine and randomly fire power at it in short or long bursts with random discharges in between. I certainly wouldn't like the wet salty atmosphere and slamming it up and down all the time.
 
macd said:
Well, that's really helpful for anyone with a boat (or car, or pretty much anything else). Why not also add that the ideal conditions for boat longevity are also in a climate-controlled laboratory?
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People looking for batteries for boats and cars don't normally manufacture them in their boats and cars. I was responding to your reply to my post. The manufacturers will and do make the best out of their statistcs but since we are not manufacturers in labs then we need to take them with a pinch of salt and realise that we will never get the stated use out of our batteries. So for normal use (abuse compared to the manufacturers use when gathering stats) we can assume that our batteries will fail younger and as such it may not be of benefit to get very expensive ones. If a battery costs £100 and lasts 3 years then it is better than the one that costs £300 and lasts 6 even though the manufacturer may tell you it will last 10.

Bottom line, a heavy cheap lead acid battery is going to be pretty good for most people and probably save money long term.
 
theoldsalt said:
Since these batteries are designed for golf carts would using them on a boat represent "misuse" and therefore effect the warranty?
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I recently had a warranty claim with Battery Megastore, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised!

I phoned, spoke to a knowledgeable human, who asked me to get a written report from somewhere like halfords (free) and when I emailed the report, they sent a courier to swap the faulty one over. The guy even telephoned me to say if I emailed it before 4PM I could have it tomorrow!

Absolute full marks to battery Megastore!
 
Really like those T105s but unfortunately they are too tall to fit in our battery compartment. There is quite a bit of space width & lengthways as we can carry 3 x 105ah leisure batteries and a truck battery for starting with ease. Are there any batteries (12 or 6v) that are as good as the Trojans but are not as high ?
 
Storyline said:
Really like those T105s but unfortunately they are too tall to fit in our battery compartment. There is quite a bit of space width & lengthways as we can carry 3 x 105ah leisure batteries and a truck battery for starting with ease. Are there any batteries (12 or 6v) that are as good as the Trojans but are not as high ?
Click to expand...

There are other Trojans apart from the T105s, including more conventionally shaped 12 volt batteries. Google and compare the results with the dimensions of the space you have available
 
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