Leisure Battery Capacity. Advice.

[fredrussell]

…I have a similar situation of 2x 80A/hr domestics LA .... battery boxes designed into the boat cannot take more than 90 A/hr size ... Boat has fridge .. and all the other stuff common on coastal cruisers .... such that my 2 domestics have been killed ...
Its not stuff I added - but by previous owners and original boat design. The Solar on the cabin top just doesn't keep up ... estimated at a 50- 60W panel ..
By my reckoning - I really need not 2x 80 (160 with actual use 80 A/hrs) - but over 300 A/hrs to give me at least 150 usuable ..

I know you know this, but that’s why people fit LiFePo. SUBSTANTIALLY more useable amp hours for a given space.

 

[Bouba]

When not on the the boat I keep the fridge off as it’s the major drain....and if some idiot unplugs me it would flatten the house battery. But with a generator, I am not so sensitive to the house battery needs anymore....before getting a genny, if the house battery reduced capacity to only one day at anchor I would replace it. Now the battery has to fail before it’s replaced. That means a much longer period between battery swaps

 

[Boater Sam]

Left hand positive terminal location or right hand, batteries are available either way.

 

[Bouba]

Left hand positive terminal location or right hand, batteries are available either way.

Good point....when replacing batteries make sure that the posts are in the same position or your cables may not reach....and don’t forget (or ask me how I know) to remove the little plug from the overflow if it has one

 

[38mess]

Still only 36kg, still not "extremely heavy"

But, at a total of 72kg, a Lithium pack at about 22kg is a decent weight saving.

I have just changed my 20ltr jerry cans to 10 ltr because at the age of 67 I'm struggling refueling the boat with the heavier weight. I would suggest 36kg is quite a load for an older person to lift and manoeuvre. It's not the initial lifting but the pain in the shoulders/ back/ neck for weeks after the event. In my youth I could carry full size oxy bottles on my shoulders across scaffolding regularly. Hence the problems now I guess

 

[Refueler]

I have just changed my 20ltr jerry cans to 10 ltr because at the age of 67 I'm struggling refueling the boat with the heavier weight. I would suggest 36kg is quite a load for an older person to lift and manoeuvre. It's not the initial lifting but the pain in the shoulders/ back/ neck for weeks after the event. In my youth I could carry full size oxy bottles on my shoulders across scaffolding regularly. Hence the problems now I guess

I bought two pumps ... one a rotary hand pump ... other a 12V plug and lead pump ... as you - no longer like humping jerry cans about and trying to pour into tanks ....
Those two pumps (cost about 20 euros each) solve it ... can on pontoon ... pump into can ... switch on / turn handle .... few minutes later can's empty and fuel is in boat tank ... no bad back for a week after ...

Oh on the pontoon ... I have an old telescopic handle wheels from a broken suitcase ... PBO style re-purposed !!

 

[38mess]

I bought two pumps ... one a rotary hand pump ... other a 12V plug and lead pump ... as you - no longer like humping jerry cans about and trying to pour into tanks ....
Those two pumps (cost about 20 euros each) solve it ... can on pontoon ... pump into can ... switch on / turn handle .... few minutes later can's empty and fuel is in boat tank ... no bad back for a week after ...

Oh on the pontoon ... I have an old telescopic handle wheels from a broken suitcase ... PBO style re-purposed !!

Thanks, I have used electric pumps in the past. They work great but my jerry cans are used for reserve capacity to save me going to the fuel dock every other day. I only have a 70ltr tank and no space to install a larger one so the jerry cans are filled on the fuel dock and then stored in a locker until needed. It's the carrying onto the boat, lifting in and out and then pouring in holding over a funnel that does my shoulder in. But it means I only need to go to the fuel dock once a week.

 

[Dellquay13]

Thanks, I have used electric pumps in the past. They work great but my jerry cans are used for reserve capacity to save me going to the fuel dock every other day. I only have a 70ltr tank and no space to install a larger one so the jerry cans are filled on the fuel dock and then stored in a locker until needed. It's the carrying onto the boat, lifting in and out and then pouring in holding over a funnel that does my shoulder in. But it means I only need to go to the fuel dock once a week.

A pump doesn’t help with the basic lifting and carrying of cans, but it would get rid of the big strain of holding up Jerry cans and pouring, no matter their size. And reduce the chance of spills over a funnel?
Could you pump into the tank from their storage in the locker?

 

[Refueler]

Thanks, I have used electric pumps in the past. They work great but my jerry cans are used for reserve capacity to save me going to the fuel dock every other day. I only have a 70ltr tank and no space to install a larger one so the jerry cans are filled on the fuel dock and then stored in a locker until needed. It's the carrying onto the boat, lifting in and out and then pouring in holding over a funnel that does my shoulder in. But it means I only need to go to the fuel dock once a week.

Ditto ... I too do similar ... I have a 20ltr in the transom locker as back-up on my 38ftr.

Before the pump - I used plastic 5ltr cans saved from Anti-freeze / screenwash ... far easier to carry and pour ....
On Swedish Islands cruises - my 70ltr main tank (on my 254ft'r) was backed up with about 20 5ltr cans buried under bunks / in lockers ...

 

[Refueler]

A pump doesn’t help with the basic lifting and carrying of cans, but it would get rid of the big strain of holding up Jerry cans and pouring, no matter their size. And reduce the chance of spills over a funnel?
Could you pump into the tank from their storage in the locker?

I can ....

But another solution is to use multiple smaller cans like the 5ltr Screenwash / Anti-freeze plastics ...

I was delivering a Bav Match 35 ... seller was asked to provide back-up fuel for the trip ... he gave us two 20ltr Jerrys ... What a mess trying to fill the tank on passage ...
I vowed never to do that again.

 

[Dellquay13]

I can ....

But another solution is to use multiple smaller cans like the 5ltr Screenwash / Anti-freeze plastics ...

I was delivering a Bav Match 35 ... seller was asked to provide back-up fuel for the trip ... he gave us two 20ltr Jerrys ... What a mess trying to fill the tank on passage ...
I vowed never to do that again.

You may have special access to fuel in your area or with your background, but back in the UK most people would have to use approved fuel containers before suppliers would agree to fill them.
20 black plastic 5L fuel cans would cost a fortune to buy.
Anyway, back to the Batteries…

 

[PaulRainbow]

Try checking a suitcase onto a plane where the suitcase weighs 36kg - its not extremely heavy but might not be accepted at all, because its just 'heavy'. Many workplaces would not allow a single man to lift 36kg - because it is extremely heavy and a risk to health

Try lifting a 36kg battery from a dinghy - I think I'd describe it as heavy, if not awkward.

Similarly manoeuvring a 36 kg battery into a tight location and the battery soon starts to 'feel' heavy - even off it only weighs 36kg.

Obviously none of this matters, so much, if Old Git is actually 30 years old (which is old to a 15 year old) and he keeps his yacht with access to shore not necessitating a dinghy - but we don't know. He might actually be 75 and I would recommend against him try to lift a 36kg battery to fit in a tight space on a yacht. An LA battery times 2 off seems a really good reason to look at Lithium.

Jonathan

Hardly relevant to a couple of batteries on a large, twin engined motorboat.

 

[Bouba]

Hardly relevant to a couple of batteries on a large, twin engined motorboat.

Paul, we accept you are a tough guy.....but we only used to be

 

[oldgit]

Thanks to all who contributed in all my Puzzled of Medway threads.
Regards battery sizes.
The existing battery box holds 2 x starter batteries and two leisure batteries. All four batteries about L 345 x W 175.
The box is surrounded by electronic/electric gubbins including a generator, fuel filters, hydraulic rams, various reservoirs and other control boxes.
Only way is up, by 150mm or so.

A couple of devices were used to test the batteries, a borrowed posh fancy expensive electronic device made by SnapOn and a basic old fashioned device with physical inline load, both suggest the leisure batteries were OK.
Initial thoughts were a problem with charging system.
Even after a run of 8 hours @1500-2000 rpm from 2 X 80ah alternators the leisure batteries were giving up the ghost after an hour or so at end of journey, when both fridges and usual nav gear ie. plotters and radio (s) were being used underway, add a vacuum bog and charging multiple Ipads n phones.

Charging system ie. alternators etc checked and appears to be more or less functioning as originally installed.
Have now fitted a basic voltage/battery condition meter with following results
With full batteries.
Turn on ....
Both Fridges.
Both VHF radios.
Touchscreen Chartplotter
Eberspacher running after start up
Approx 10 LED clusters in all cabins.
Volts drop to 12.3 or less in about 1 hour.

This means ????

 

[PaulRainbow]

Thanks to all who contributed in all my Puzzled of Medway threads.
Regards battery sizes.
The existing battery box holds 2 x starter batteries and two leisure batteries. All four batteries about L 345 x W 175.
The box is surrounded by electronic/electric gubbins including a generator, fuel filters, hydraulic rams, various reservoirs and other control boxes.
Only way is up, by 150mm or so.

A couple of devices were used to test the batteries, a borrowed posh fancy expensive electronic device made by SnapOn and a basic old fashioned device with physical inline load, both suggest the leisure batteries were OK.
Initial thoughts were a problem with charging system.
Even after a run of 8 hours the leisure batteries were giving up the ghost after an hour or so at end of journey, when both fridges and usual nav gear ie. plotters and radio (s) were being used underway, add a vacuum bog and charging multiple Ipads n phones.
Charging system ie. alternators etc checked and appears to be more or less functioning as originally installed.

Have now fitted a basic voltage/battery condition meter with following results
With full batteries.....turn on ...

Both Fridges.
Both VHF radios.
Touchscreen Chartplotter
Eberspacher running after start up
Approx 10 LED clusters in all cabins.
Volts drop to 12.3 or less in about 1 hour.

This means ????

If the amperage of those items add up to about 90A everything is fine, if not, the batteries are knackered.

 

[oldgit]

Batteries are knackered.

Will have look down the back of the sofa, presume that it would be sensible to purchase two batteries best able to provide the maximum ah which will fit in the available space. ?
and it has handles !

YBX1657 Yuasa YBX1 SHD Super Heavy Duty Battery 12V 142Ah

 

[Sandy]

If the amperage of those items add up to about 90A everything is fine, if not, the batteries are knackered.

What @PaulRainbow said.

How thread about batteries morphed into a 'my jerry can is bigger than your jerry can' is amazing.

BTW I am now in the 10 ltr jerry can camp. Humping 20 ltr cans a couple of miles, into the dinghy then onto the boat in remote parts of the planet is beginning to be a bit of a pain.

 

[Momac]

I have a couple of Hankook XL31S 130Ah batteries that are holding up well (so far). Similar to the image below except mine have single terminals. The dual terminal XL31 version is heavier and higher cost so must be be superior.

If money no object I would consider a power bank with a portable solar panel. Awaiting a sufficient win on the premium bonds.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Will have look down the back of the sofa, presume that it would be sensible to purchase two batteries best able to provide the maximum ah which will fit in the available space. ?

Yes, if you don't fancy changing to Lithium, biggest AH would be best.

I have fitted several of these and had no issues with them. Unfortunately out of stock, but might be worth a call to see if they are expecting some soon.

Hankook XL31 Dual Purpose Leisure Battery

 

[oldgit]

Yes, if you don't fancy changing to Lithium, biggest AH would be best.

I have fitted several of these and had no issues with them. Unfortunately out of stock, but might be worth a call to see if they are expecting some soon.

Hankook XL31 Dual Purpose Leisure Battery

Tanya have stock.