New Battery Time

[jaminb]

I have 3 domestic batteries that I think are shot. They are Power Max FLA Series Leisure heavy duty 12v 85amp batteries stamped 2017.

For simplicity I would ideally like to replace like for like but they appear to be out of stock.

Are these type of batteries all much of muchness and can expect another 5 years out of there replacements or are some battery makes better than others. there appears to be £50 per battery difference between cheap and expensive Leisure batteries? Any recommendations of batteries and suppliers?

I am really not interested in upgrading to Lithium or adding Solar arrays as we are mostly weekend sailors hopping from hook up to hook up.

many thanks

 

[MoodySabre]

Look at Tayna - next day delivery. I suppose it depends on usage but I have replaced mine this year after 10 years. Numax 110ah x 2

 

[fredrussell]

…Are these type of batteries all much of muchness…

Yes, pretty much. You can get better quality ‘namebrand’ makes such as Varta, Banner, Bosch and the like which may well have a longer life than cheaper ones, but that depends how well treated they are.

 

[jaminb]

thanks. I only know the existing batteries last 18 months history, but judging by a few a other issues I imagine they have been abused in the past!

 

[Minchsailor]

Look at Tayna - next day delivery. I suppose it depends on usage but I have replaced mine this year after 10 years. Numax 110ah x 2

+1 for Tayna. Excellent service.

 

[Fantasie 19]

Replaced mine this year after 5 years service - got next day free delivery from these guys Car Batteries | Leisure Batteries | Free Next Day Delivery | ABS Batteries

 

[Stemar]

Another vote for Tayna and Numax.

Battery Megastore worth a look too,

 

[KompetentKrew]

I've had good service from both Tayna and Advanced Battery Supplies

 

[Tranona]

5 years is at the bottom end of expectations with typical "weekend" sailing use and abuse. Worth looking at AGMs , the type fitted to stop/start cars as prices have dropped such that they are typically 30% more expensive but offer up to twice the life of leisure batteries.

 

[Habebty]

Agree with Tranona above. If you have access to shore power, get a good charger and AGMs. I replaced my 3 x 100ah AGMs this year after 18 years service, delivered from 12 Volt Planet.

 

[jaminb]

thanks Tranona. I have had some good advice from Tanya and am now a bit paranoid about venting into my aft cabins. Am I right in assuming AGMs don't vent and don't spill and are about £50 / battery over a direct replacement for what I have at the moment?

 

[Tranona]

Not sure why you are worried about venting. Many boats have batteries under bunks, both FLA and ACMs. On my last boat I had 3 AGMs under the saloon bunk and one under the forecabin. These were Exide EK950 tayna.co.uk/car-batteries/exide/ek950/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI77esnsbg-QIVBuztCh09GABnEAAYAiAAEgJ7I_D_BwE

The equivalent capacity Numax is this tayna.co.uk/leisure-batteries/numax/lv26mf/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqpqy2sbg-QIVl4BQBh1CPABXEAAYASAAEgL7Z_D_BwE

As you can see about 35% more for the AGM, although I recently bought 2 Exides for my new boat for £230 delivered,

You may not be able to use the same models as you may have size restrictions. In fact the Exides suited me perfectly because they are lower than most others and fitted my battery box well.

In fact I built the box around the batteries, but height was critical. The start battery is an Odyssey AGM 32Ah as commonly used in competition cars. BTW this is not properly wired yet as installing a new engine so just hot wired to the engine and house distribution panel to make sure everything works.

 

[pandos]

Agree with Tranona above. If you have access to shore power, get a good charger and AGMs. I replaced my 3 x 100ah AGMs this year after 18 years service, delivered from 12 Volt Planet.

I replaced my AGMs last winter after 15 years...still use one of them as a starter...

I used and abusef them...definitely get AGMs

 

[jaminb]

ok so i was ready to push the button on AGMs x 3 (at about £120+ extra than regular leisure) when i spotted a warning about AGMs being sensitive to charging. I have no idea what charger i have (alternator or mains) any idea what i should be looking for?

thanks

 

[Tranona]

Don't understand that. No changes needed from the alternator and modern mains chargers are programmable. Just follow the instructions with the charger.

 

[jaminb]

Thanks Tranona turns out I have one of these charges that can charge anything so shouldn’t be a problem

Mastervolt ChargeMaster 12V Battery Chargers | Force 4 Chandlery