I need to buy 6 new batteries - but not sure which brand to go for??

[CMJ]

Hi All,

I'm just about to replace our 6 x 'Fiamm Cyclop' Batteries after 9 years of great service - and I want to replace them with something equally as good. It seems like a mine-field out there ref choice of manufacturer - so what are the best to go for, and which ones should I stay clear of?

BTW, the existing batteries are: 12V, 180Ah and 1000A CCA (Fiamm Cyclop Pulse Super Heavy Duty, 680 032100, 68032 629)......doesn't look like they're available anymore.

big thanks,
Chris.

 

[[2068]]

Something like these?

https://www.tayna.co.uk/629-M18-VARTA-PROMOTIVE-SILVER-680108100-P7670.html

http://www.alpha-batteries.co.uk/battery-type/629/629-bosch-silver-commercial-battery-m18-hde-t5077/

 

[prof pat pending]

Can't comment on 180Ah batteries

But I've used these guys in the past, been happy with the products and service and they usually come in at a good price with free delivery.

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Battery-Me...&_fsub=5&_sid=172406778&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322

no affiliation

 

[rafiki_]

+1 for the Battery Megastore

 

[Nick_H]

I've also used Battery Megastore and been happy with the service, but one of the Hankook batteries they supplied failed after less than a year. This is a bit worrying as I have several of the same batteries on my boat in France. They exchanged it with no fuss, so i'd still happily buy from them, but would do a bit more research on the make of battery.

If i'm not mistaken you can get 220-240 ah batteries the same size as the one you've shown, so you could take the opportunity to up your capacity a bit if changing batteries anyway.

 

[prof pat pending]

Might also be worth looking at their package deals, you could get 10 smaller batteries for a lot less money giving you the same overall Ah

 

[CMJ]

Many thanks for all of the recommendations - not sure I'm any clearer ref which brand but my gut feeling is go for Varta's (via the Battery Megastore)......and sounds sensible if I can get a higher capacity in same size (thanks Nick_H).
cheers

 

[MapisM]

Just another thought you might be interested to consider:
My boat, which was built by a yard with commercial heritage, was originally equipped with some oversized batteries (Exide NG-2, 280Ah, almost 80kg each - eek!).
Nowadays, one important factor driving my choice when replacement time comes is the handling: I don't want anything onboard that can't be singlehanded, so to speak.
I'm saying this because I guess you might fit in the space of your 180Ah batteries (which are surely above 40kg each) also something a bit smaller. Ultimately, it's just a matter of combining as many of them as you need.
My (obviously personal) rule of thumb is that I'll never go for anything above 30kg anymore, FWIW.

PS: and I don't think the brand is that much relevant, btw. FLA batteries are disposable items anyway, mostly built in PRC...

 

[CMJ]

Just another thought you might be interested to consider:
My boat, which was built by a yard with commercial heritage, was originally equipped with some oversized batteries (Exide NG-2, 280Ah, almost 80kg each - eek!).
Nowadays, one important factor driving my choice when replacement time comes is the handling: I don't want anything onboard that can't be singlehanded, so to speak.
I'm saying this because I guess you might fit in the space of your 180Ah batteries (which are surely above 40kg each) also something a bit smaller. Ultimately, it's just a matter of combining as many of them as you need.
My (obviously personal) rule of thumb is that I'll never go for anything above 30kg anymore, FWIW.

PS: and I don't think the brand is that much relevant, btw. FLA batteries are disposable items anyway, mostly built in PRC...

Thanks MapisM. Yup these things sure are heavy!.....think I can take maybe just one more decade of lifting the heavy stuff, so not so worried about the weight. Guess the Yuasa batteries are one of the exceptions ref PRC as think they're Japanese. So forgetting brands and just looking at prices, Exide's seem good value. I'm keen (only based on the batteries coming out) to not go for maintenance free - as having kept an annual eye on the Fiamm's they've lasted 9 years (and perhaps might go another year). Thanks.

 

[jfm]

There is much support in USA and in Annageek's postings here for the Lifeline brand. They are available in UK.

I agree w MM about the 50kg battery handling problem but it can be hard to solve this in practice

Beware increasing the Ah capacity unless you have a big charger , otherwise you might find you don't get them well charged before you want to turn off your genset at night. You can always add another charger of course. It'd perfectly ok to have big capacity if you mostly overnight on shorepower though

 

[CMJ]

There is much support in USA and in Annageek's postings here for the Lifeline brand. They are available in UK.

I agree w MM about the 50kg battery handling problem but it can be hard to solve this in practice

Beware increasing the Ah capacity unless you have a big charger , otherwise you might find you don't get them well charged before you want to turn off your genset at night. You can always add another charger of course. It'd perfectly ok to have big capacity if you mostly overnight on shorepower though

Thanks jfm - ah good point ref battery charging if going for more capacity.

Having read a few reviews now (and allergic to sealed batteries for some stupid reason), think I'm homing towards these unless anyone says avoid:

http://thebatteryshop.co.uk/629shd-...-shd-x2868032x29-12v-180ah-1050cca-5061-p.asp

 

[jfm]

You sure you want wet flooded batteries? I wouldn't. Charge acceptance is higher with AGM/Gel which makes them much more suited to boat use on anchor. Indeed that yuasa battery has a recommended charge current of a mere 10amps, which is just crazy on a boat

 

[CMJ]

You sure you want wet flooded batteries? I wouldn't. Charge acceptance is higher with AGM/Gel which makes them much more suited to boat use on anchor. Indeed that yuasa battery has a recommended charge current of a mere 10amps, which is just crazy on a boat

Thanks for your words of wisdom jfm - think maybe I’m being a bit blinkered as the FLA Fiamm’s we’ve had for 9 years have suited our needs and because of that I’m just looking for a direct replacement for them (coz can’t get the Fiamm’s anymore I don’t think)……..shamingly we’ve never done an overnight Anchor here in the Solent(!) so our battery needs are maybe less than some. I’ll take a look at AGM/Gel types though inc. the Lifeline’s you mentioned earlier as don’t want to make a dumb choice knowing battery technology has obviously moved on a bit in 9 years. Thanks again.

 

[MJGH]

Thanks jfm - ah good point ref battery charging if going for more capacity.

Having read a few reviews now (and allergic to sealed batteries for some stupid reason), think I'm homing towards these unless anyone says avoid:

http://thebatteryshop.co.uk/629shd-...-shd-x2868032x29-12v-180ah-1050cca-5061-p.asp

Have had the same Yuasa 180ah batteries fitted for the last 6 x years with no problems.
Unfortunately due to a wiring problem with a newly fitted inverter 2 x were allowed to become completely discharged from which they have not recovered.
From my experience they give good service but don't like being fully discharged (but then what battery does?).
Don't know if this helps or confuses the matter more.

Kind Regards
Michael

 

[jfm]

Thanks for your words of wisdom jfm - think maybe I’m being a bit blinkered as the FLA Fiamm’s we’ve had for 9 years have suited our needs and because of that I’m just looking for a direct replacement for them (coz can’t get the Fiamm’s anymore I don’t think)……..shamingly we’ve never done an overnight Anchor here in the Solent(!) so our battery needs are maybe less than some. I’ll take a look at AGM/Gel types though inc. the Lifeline’s you mentioned earlier as don’t want to make a dumb choice knowing battery technology has obviously moved on a bit in 9 years. Thanks again.

It is a bit horses for courses. Maybe they will be ok if you are not overnight anchoring. Wet batteries just have a low charge acceptance rate and if you have sat on anchor all day draining them to 50% it will take much longer to get them up to 95% or whatever charge. AGM/Gels accept more charge current for longer in the charge cycle so they get to 95% or whatever much faster.

 

[MapisM]

I’ll take a look at AGM/Gel types though inc. the Lifeline’s you mentioned earlier

Nothing wrong with that stuff, 'cept that if you have the prices of FLA batteries in mind, I'd suggest to take a sit before checking them out... :encouragement:

 

[CMJ]

Nothing wrong with that stuff, 'cept that if you have the prices of FLA batteries in mind, I'd suggest to take a sit before checking them out... :encouragement:

Yup took a sit thanks - wasn't too horrified as some of the AGM style batteries weren't too much more, but with a budget of £1K looks like FLA batteries are my option at this point.

 

[CMJ]

Have had the same Yuasa 180ah batteries fitted for the last 6 x years with no problems.
Unfortunately due to a wiring problem with a newly fitted inverter 2 x were allowed to become completely discharged from which they have not recovered.
From my experience they give good service but don't like being fully discharged (but then what battery does?).
Don't know if this helps or confuses the matter more.

Kind Regards
Michael

Thanks Michael - I think with a bigger budget I'd have gone for AGM/Gel style batteries having been enlightened by jfm, but in this case will probably now go for those Yuasa's.

Thanks to everyone for their help