Domestic battery recommendations

kennyh

kennyh

Well-Known Member
Joined
18 Jun 2006
Messages
378
Location
Firth of Clyde / West Coast Scotland
Visit site
My domestic bank has finally thrown in the towel; not bad considering the batteries are at least 8 years old.

So I need to get my hands on a couple of 110Ah batteries for the domestic bank (and I’ll probably swap the engine and thruster batteries soon also, although they are still performing well).

Q. Any recommendations on Brand / Model / Supplier to use for domestic use?
 
Have a look at AGM batteries.
They are only a little more expensive than standard lead acid.

I used to get through domestic batteries like they were going out of style.
The big thing is not to discharge them beyond 50% or not let voltage drops below 11 volts (for a 12v battery)
For me, it was going away from shore power for 3 days of more and expecting that a couple of hours of generator charging in the morning and evening would keep them in good order.
It doesn't and then it only takes 3 of 4 days with that regime for te batteries to fall to a level that kills them.

I've sorted my issue now by installing solar panels but at the same time, I installed some AGMs which, IMO, are a little more robust than standard lead acid.
You could use gel batteries but, IMO, gel and AGM have similar working lives - I think you will find AGMs cheaper than gels

When you select any battery, the first consideration is the physical size.
Then try and match the amp hour rate
And don't forget the orientation of the terminals.

On our vintage of boat, Princess seemed to fit a 648 battery (in my case 648 determines all the parameters) but it is worth just checking all battery suppliers.

Anyway, to get you started, have a look at these AGMs:-
12V 120AH Leoch Adventurer AGM Leisure Battery (LAGM120)

I've been using Leoch batteries like these for 4 seasons now.
 
I hope we get more posts on this as i may be up for some batteries soon. Can AGM be used for starter and domestic or either or?
 
dulls said:
I hope we get more posts on this as i may be up for some batteries soon. Can AGM be used for starter and domestic or either or?
Click to expand...
They can be but I think that generally, AGMs and Gels are designed more for lower current over longer periods than standard lead acid. which is high load over a small period of time.
But that could be the actual battery design - don't car manufacturers use AGMs these days?
 
Hurricane said:
They can be but I think that generally, AGMs and Gels are designed more for lower current over longer periods than standard lead acid. which is high load over a small period of time.
But that could be the actual battery design - don't car manufacturers use AGMs these days?
Click to expand...
I dont know. I suppose google can help but the forum information gives angles that you dont find on official sites. I had years of trouble free sailing with 2 large truck batteries. As a yacht i am not using power like you would though.
 
Hurricane said:
They can be but I think that generally, AGMs and Gels are designed more for lower current over longer periods than standard lead acid. which is high load over a small period of time.
But that could be the actual battery design - don't car manufacturers use AGMs these days?
Click to expand...

AGM’s are used in cars, particularly in cars with Start/Stop (I’ve just replaced the AGM in my own car).

If I do go with an AGM for the boat then I’d be best to check my charger can support them, as AGM’s require a different charge profile (as I understand it).
 
Hurricane said:
They can be but I think that generally, AGMs and Gels are designed more for lower current over longer periods than standard lead acid. which is high load over a small period of time.
But that could be the actual battery design - don't car manufacturers use AGMs these days?
Click to expand...

Correct, yes they do as modern control electronics being fitted to modern cars ensure they only charge when needed and they can shut the alternator off if required; but be careful as some are designed as starter batteries and others aren't, so choose carefully
 
Assassin said:
Correct, yes they do as modern control electronics being fitted to modern cars ensure they only charge when needed and they can shut the alternator off if required; but be careful as some are designed as starter batteries and others aren't, so choose carefully
Click to expand...
That makes sense - I thought they used AGMs but ther design of that battery internals would have to be capable of the short heavy load.
 
Whatever battery you buy, I suggest that you give it the "weight test".
I bought some light weight leisure batteries that were rubbish as soon as I started to use them.
Don't necessarily go for the cheapest but if you analyse the weights from different manufacturers and compare the weights with well known brands, you get a good idea of how much lead is inside.
The more lead - the better battery.
 
Hurricane said:
That makes sense - I thought they used AGMs but ther design of that battery internals would have to be capable of the short heavy load.
Click to expand...
My Bentley, like a boat has two AGM s .
A huge domestic / house which runs everything , the ECUs which there are two for the engine a master + slave , seat memories , ICE , window position memories + much more .
I think it’s something like 110ah ? Or maybe bigger .
Then a smaller , tiny starter which has a pyrotechnic cut off in the event of a airbag or roll over .

Theres a cross over switch built into the ignition.Works just like your parallel dash switch on your boat .
Even though it’s KESSY , there is a place for a key .Turn R in the normal way .But if you turn it to the Left , it engages a cross over solinoid which connects the house bat to the engine starter .

So one always “ proceeds “ I guess ?

The trickle charger OEM goes on the LHS “ house “ bat only .

It’s a VAG vehicle so I suspect there other high end stuff like today’s A8 , Phaeton, Panamera , Lambo s are wired up with this twin bat set up .

The maintenance free bit is the attraction ....more so in a sweltering boat engine room .
Not sure in a boat I would entertain wet lead , which may boil up if left unattended or you forget to check + top up the fluid levels .
I guess it depends on ease of access in both senses .
1- you can easily ( without the physique of a racing snake ) reach them .
2- You are available ....is it a Med boat or moored at the bottom of your garden .


If look carefully there are deep cycling AGM s for leisure boats .
 
I recently fitted 2 x 170ah Victron Super Cycle AGM’s. They seem to charge up pretty quickly with the new Victron 50A charger. I’ve done a few 3-4 day stints off shore power with some cruising during the day and they have been perfect.
 
Dino said:
I recently fitted 2 x 170ah Victron Super Cycle AGM’s. They seem to charge up pretty quickly with the new Victron 50A charger. I’ve done a few 3-4 day stints off shore power with some cruising during the day and they have been perfect.
Click to expand...

The Victron batteries look very good - unfortunately they also look very expensive!

Hopefully I can find some batteries in the sweet spot of price vs performance.
 
3 types of battery:
Starting (showing CCA, cold cranking current)
Duel (showing CCA and Ah)
Domestic or Liesure (Showing Ah)

Duel are a bigger physical size for the same output so using dedicated start and domestic a bigger electrical output can be had

For lead acid fully charged is 12.7v,
Higher than 12.7v is surface charge
11.7 is half charge
10.7 is fully discharged
below 10.7 has irreversible damaged battery

Only running down to half charge will help maintain battery life
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top