New batteries to a Sealine F37, what size?

scubaman

scubaman

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Hi,

Long story short: last winter I left the main switch on and the (maintenance free) batteries went completely flat. Not a beep.

As a result they now go flat in half an hour. Fortunately the battery for port side engine is better (not supplying domestic power), so once I get that started, I can start the stbr side.

I'm assuming that emptying the batteries completely is causing this and replacement batteries are needed.

I forgot to check the physical dimensions of the batteries when I left the boat, so if some kind soul who possesses this information could help me with the dimensions, it would be greatly appreciated. I'd then go and buy a new set before going back to the boat, which is 150 km's away from me.
 
The standard ones were Hoppecke 85Ah cranking batteries, but the model is no longer on the Hoppecke website (or at least I can't find it). Nick from Seabridge might be able to help. Definitely worth checking because Sealine supplied us a new set and they wouldn't fit. I'm 80kms from the boat, or I'd go and measure for you...
 
Just replaced all 5 of my batteries (Sealine S37 2002) with Bosch 110Ah Leisure 81310. Note there are different polarity configurations and the 81310 was right for mine (and probably yours) My battery box had a spacer for the original Hoppecks which I took out for the Bosch.
In the UK these batteries are £72 incl tax from Costco. They are not the sealed for life type which means you can top them up rather than just watch the level go down in vane.
I notice that they used leisure all round and since the port has two batties for cranking I guess the "double-up leisure" had been deemed ok for cranking.
Suggest replacing all, I had two go last autumn only to be followed by the other three this spring. I guess 7 years life is not bad.
Hope this helps
 
Hi

To answer your question, the physical size of your batteries are 305mm long by 175mm wide and 215mm high.

I really need to get out a bit more!
 
No spacer in the F37 battery box, hence the need to measure properly. Unless, of course, they have changed the boxes at some point on the F37. Oh, and the ones Sealine delivered to us had the poles swapped over too, all of which leads me to think Scubaman may have to make that long drive after all...
 
Hi,

Thanks a lot!

I'll ask for quotes based on that. I think I'll make that ride after all to check the polarity and to make sure they haven't changed anything else.

I checked the Bosch batteries mentioned by DavidJ but I couldn't find them from the local web site. I've used Exide earlier but Bosch sounds better quality.

I thought about replacing them all at the same time. At least then you know what age your batteries are.
 
That's interesting, I haven't heard of those before. Perhaps unsurprisingly I couldn't find any hits on Numax from the web locally, so they may not be available here... Still, they are up there with the popular marques so I guess they are fine.

MBY did an article on batteries some time ago. I must look that up before I buy.
 
One other point to remember is that the ammeter shunt is sitting on the positive terminal, some battery box lids were tight on space over it. So increasing battery height could cause a problem with the lid fittment.

Sealine used the same batteries for engine starting and service loads from the 1980's, simplified stocking and was never a problem.

Brian
 
That was very, shall we say, enlighting. Thank you!

I'll go have a chat with the local salesmen and see how they try to mislead me /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Thanks, that's good to know. I've had a few excursions behind the panels when locating a seatalk -problem, but didn't manage to break anything yet. It's very good to know where to ask if I need spares.
 
You may want to check locally for Varta 81310 The same number and configuration as the Bosch so I suspect the same battery (just badged up by one or both of them?) However from the discussions above your battery box could be too small (they are very cheap incidently) or the polarity configuration different from mine.
 
Yep, those are sold here. From the data sheet the dimensions would seem to be too big as you said.

I found Exide EA1004 with dimensions as follows: 306 *173 * 222 that might just fit. I'm getting the feeling I really need to get down to the boat and check with a tape measure.
 
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