Elecsol batteries

[RMA]

The crew were not too happy last weekend. The batteries did not retain enough charge overnight to run the heating in the morning, so in the interests of crew contentment and matrimonial harmony I need to buy some new ones.

My local electrical specialist is recommending that I buy (from him of course) Elecsol deep cycle batteries ( www.elecsol.com ) which although reasonably priced do come with a 5 year guarantee. They seem to have performed quite well in tests carried out by the caravan magazines, but has anyone any experience of them aboard a boat?


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[steve_cronin]

I've just looked at the site and the report by that caravan mag. I thought it interesting that like the rest, they too think that 13.8 or even 12.7 is fully charged. Sterling Battery chargers will tell you different. 14.25 is more like 100% charged.

Those Elecsol batteries, if they really do reduce sulphication MUST be an improvement. My Bosch domestics are showing signs of failure after only 2 years so getting a 5 year guarantee is appealing. Also their latest addition a 200Ah battery with the dimensions of a 130Ah must find a market in the marine sector. Perhaps the masgs will do a comparative test on batteries soon. The one in the caravan mag looked very severe.

Steve Cronin

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[davidwf]

Purchased one last year so too early to tell if it will last. I purchased from them direct and was shipped the wrong battery ie + and - were the wrong way round so my cables wouln't reach. They arranged to collect and replace with no fuss at all, very pleased with their customer service.

They tend to be cheaper if you buy direct just make sure you both know which way round you want the terminals.



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[bedouin]

I have just replaced my Domestic batteries, and was considering the Elecsol batteries. I discussed them with a marine battery expert and he was a bit dismissive of them.

For me the deciding factor is that you have to be more careful charging them than you do with flooded batteries - that equates to lower charging voltage and more engine hours to charge them. As I try to use the engine as little as possible I saw that as a big disadvantage. (I contacted the technical people at Elecsol to confirm that this was correct).

Eventually I went for cheap 110Ah leisure batteries - less than half the price of the Elecsol and I expect to get at least 4 seasons out of them.

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[mica]

We have had them fitted on our 43' charter boat for over a year (running fridge, heating and television) and have had no problems. Reason for fitting them - charterers tend abuse batteries and therefore the old ones were knackered.

We also fitted a Link 10 Battery Monitor at the same time, which is an excellent piece of kit, so you can see the state of the batteries at any time. (No excuse now for charterers running them flat).

The further advantage of Elecsol batteries apart from having a 5 year guarantee is that they are smaller and lighter than the other wet batteries, so you can increase the size of your battery bank. Having heating on board I would think this should be recommended.

We also have a wind generator fitted, so the batteries have never been 50% discharged. (again recommended if you have a heavy drain on them).

No complaints about them so far.
Best regards,
Mica



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[LeonF]

Dificult to tell when one asks a dealer for advice. I have had problems with my AGMs overcharging-not a problem with an ordinary lead acid- and was deterred from Elecsols by a dealer who said that they had problems getting them to honour their 5year guarantee. I'm going for BSX supermarines as I had them on my 19footer which had no charging system and at the end of the season there was still life in them.

<hr width=100% size=1>L.A.R.Ferguson