New house batteries

[GHA]

I know this is a dumb question but what brand are T105s?

Never a dumb question
Trojan T105, for a very long time been a favourite of long term cruisers, very tough.
First entry on google >
T-105 Trojan Battery Deep Cycle (T105)

Think Graham376 had some delivered by algarve freight not so long ago.
6v so you need 2 in series for 12v) taller than normal batts so sometimes won't fit in an existing box.

 

[Graham376]

T-105 Trojan Battery Deep Cycle (T105)
Think Graham376 had some delivered by algarve freight not so long ago.
6v so you need 2 in series for 12v) taller than normal batts so sometimes won't fit in an existing box.

Algarve Freight have ceased trading (again), I use Algarve Express.

Tayna dispatched on a Wednesday, arrived Algarve Express depot Thursday, ready for collection Almancil depot on Tuesday. Only problem was that Tayna had strapped them on a full size pallet so I got charged for that rather than actual size of batteries, IIRC €60.

 

[Bobc]

Another vote for T105s

 

[GHA]

I use Algarve Express.

That's the one's I was thinking of, depot near the A22, 10 minutes or so from Faro.

 

[Richard10002]

I would opt for Gel batteries if possible as they can be discharged to 20% without any damage.
Perhaps 3 of these in parrallel.
Ebay 303123835963
12v 90 AH £90
They can be fitted in any orientation, end on or even upside down if needed

Only 74Ah at C20 but still cheap for AGM.

 

[Irish Rover]

I'm sure someone is going to correct me or say no but, for what it's worth [or not] I'll pass on a bit of advice I got [too late] last year after I had to buy a couple of replacement batteries while in Leros. I bought 2 x normal auto batteries to get me out of a hole and I replaced the whole lot when I got back to home base. I was advised in future to look for auto batteries suitable for vehicles with stop/start facility as these are, apparently, just as good and cheaper than dedicated marine deep cycle type. Obviously you need to take care the replacements fit your box or space and the poles match your existing cable set up.
Numpty Warning - A forumite I encountered during my difficulty in Leros described me as "a hopeless case" when he determined the depth of my ignorance on battery related technical issues and he probably wasn't far wrong.

 

[Daydream believer]

I would opt for Gel batteries if possible as they can be discharged to 20% without any damage.
Perhaps 3 of these in parrallel.
Ebay 303123835963
12v 90 AH £90
They can be fitted in any orientation, end on or even upside down if needed

They are Enhanced flooded AGM, not proper AGM & certainly not GEL
They are really designed for cars with stop start facility. I doubt if they are really intended for deep cycle as one might often get on a boat

 

[Mistroma]

I would opt for Gel batteries if possible as they can be discharged to 20% without any damage.
Perhaps 3 of these in parrallel.
Ebay 303123835963
12v 90 AH £90
They can be fitted in any orientation, end on or even upside down if needed

Are these Gel, they sound more like flooded batteries? The advert says EFB and "can be tilted 90° for short periods". I thought Enhanced Flooded Batteries had a filler material between the plates but still had free electrolyte (not starved as in AGM).

I would doubt you'd get regular discharge to 20% without damage. It must reduce the lifespan considerably as they are flooded batteries and not even specifically designed for deep-cycle. The advert quotes the usual "Leisure Dual Purpose" and gives CCA.

Just buying Gel or AGM doesn't guarantee suitability for deep-cycling. I also favour T-105s but realise they are not always cost a effective solution for everyone. Buy them if the price is good but they might be overkill. Many people don't deep-cycle much these days with lots of solar, LEDs and tablets instead of PCs and TVs.

I used to have problems ever getting the batteries to 100% (and I don't mean 100% on a battery monitor). I don't cycle the batteries deeply most of the summer in the med. and could probably save money by buying cheap leisure batteries. A decent amount of solar power should increase battery life significantly.

 

[robertager1962]

Never a dumb question
Trojan T105, for a very long time been a favourite of long term cruisers, very tough.
First entry on google >
T-105 Trojan Battery Deep Cycle (T105)

Think Graham376 had some delivered by algarve freight not so long ago.
6v so you need 2 in series for 12v) taller than normal batts so sometimes won't fit in an existing box.

Thanks for this. Unfortunately they are just too tall for my battery compartment and I can't go any lower as I would be into my hull. I think that from what you have said and also what I have read that Trojan seem to be an excellent battery range and also I (hopefully should be able to obtain them in Spain (Trojan are listing distributor in A Coruna) For best fit it looks like the 27TMH may be the battery which is deep cycle flooded lead acid.

 

[dom]

Thanks for this. Unfortunately they are just too tall for my battery compartment and I can't go any lower as I would be into my hull. I think that from what you have said and also what I have read that Trojan seem to be an excellent battery range and also I (hopefully should be able to obtain them in Spain (Trojan are listing distributor in A Coruna) For best fit it looks like the 27TMH may be the battery which is deep cycle flooded lead acid.

I fully agree with GHA re Trojan. But be aware that the 27TMH are 12V batteries with a considerably shorter life.

Potentially only half as much.

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

Here is a link to Battery Megastore's eBay shop for Spain, which evidently has cheaper prices than on their main website :
http://stores.ebay.es/BMS-Baterias th

Here are another link for baterias en Espana:
http://www.eurobateria.es
Battery Megastore will take your order on their UK website and despatch from Holland:
https://www.batterymegastore.co.uk/international-delivery
But it seems batteries are more expensive in Spain than in the UK, so to save on delivery costs, have a look in local motor factors , hardware stores motorhome dealers, etc., wherever you are.

 

[robertager1962]

I fully agree with GHA re Trojan. But be aware that the 27TMH are 12V batteries with a considerably shorter life.

Potentially only half as much.

Hi Dom. Thanks for your reply. Where did you get the data from for the life span of the battery please. I have downloaded the data sheets and can't seem to find anything regarding their lifespan.

 

[dom]

Hi Dom. Thanks for your reply. Where did you get the data from for the life span of the battery please. I have downloaded the data sheets and can't seem to find anything regarding their lifespan.

Hi Robert, try these links. The first contains what you want, the second has a useful graph, and the third provides some good general info. Hope that helps.

FWIW I also use T-105s and found them to be by far and away the best value for applications requiring repeated deep cycling.

https://www.trojanbattery.com/pdf/Signature_Trojan_ProductLineSheet.pdf
http://www.windandsun.co.uk/media/172100/Trojan-T105-datasheet.pdf
http://www.windandsun.co.uk/media/277336/Trojan-Renewable-Energy-Brochure-2012.pdf

 

[robertager1962]

Here is a link to Battery Megastore's eBay shop for Spain, which evidently has cheaper prices than on their main website :
http://stores.ebay.es/BMS-Baterias th

Here are another link for baterias en Espana:
http://www.eurobateria.es
Battery Megastore will take your order on their UK website and despatch from Holland:
https://www.batterymegastore.co.uk/international-delivery
But it seems batteries are more expensive in Spain than in the UK, so to save on delivery costs, have a look in local motor factors , hardware stores motorhome dealers, etc., wherever you are.

Hi thanks for these. Unfortunately struck out on all of these. The ebay supplier is no longer available, Eurobateria is twice the price of everyone else for their Trojans and Batterymegastore don't ship to Spain. What a pain!! I can either find the battery I want and they can't supply it of they can supply but only poor batteries. I am amazed with such a massive coastline and so many yachts that the marine supply service is so poor. I will try the motor factors but don't hold out massive hopes in getting something that has been recommended to me.

 

[robertager1962]

Hi Robert, try these links. The first contains what you want, the second has a useful graph, and the third provides some good general info. Hope that helps.

FWIW I also use T-105s and found them to be by far and away the best value for applications requiring repeated deep cycling.

https://www.trojanbattery.com/pdf/Signature_Trojan_ProductLineSheet.pdf
http://www.windandsun.co.uk/media/172100/Trojan-T105-datasheet.pdf
http://www.windandsun.co.uk/media/277336/Trojan-Renewable-Energy-Brochure-2012.pdf

Thanks so much for this, really helpful. Not sure what the difference in technology/battery make up cuts the life of the 12volt battery line by half.

 

[Graham376]

Thanks so much for this, really helpful. Not sure what the difference in technology/battery make up cuts the life of the 12volt battery line by half.

To get to 12v, two x T105 are needed in series, weighing 28kgs each, whereas one 27TMH 12v weighs the same as one T105 and is smaller in area than the 2 x T105 so, plates are much thinner.

 

[Mistroma]

Hi Dom. Thanks for your reply. Where did you get the data from for the life span of the battery please. I have downloaded the data sheets and can't seem to find anything regarding their lifespan.

I checked directly with Trojan's own technical department and specifically asked about lifespan. They confirmed that 6V should have 2x lifespan of 12V range. I have checked their documentation from time to time and this has never changed. This single fact made the 6V range a much better bet as there wasn't a big difference in price per Ah.

I removed the base of the existing battery box and fitted one a bit lower. I expected Jeanneau to.install the floor almost touching the hull. In fact there was so much space that I fitted wooden wedges and Sika flex under the new floor. I still had plenty of height for T-105s and space for forced ventilation.

 

[KompetentKrew]

The batteries are now charging very quickly during the day (from solar) but also discharging quickly at night, which is indicative that they are on their way out. The batteries were fitted in 2010 so have had a pretty good innings.

We have got by pretty well on our charge regime throughout the summer and I only switched the shorepower charger on in november/devember when we had a lot of very crap westher. We are back to sunny days now so get a constant charge throughout the day.

Surely this could also be indicative that they're not being fully charged during the day?

Does your NASA battery monitor show a voltage? I wouldn't rely on a %age battery monitor reading if you're not sure the batteries have been 100% charged recently.

I would recommend connecting to shore power for a couple of days, so absolutely know they're topped up to 100%, and see if they still discharge quickly.

The only way to know the condition of your batteries is to charge them to float voltage and then measure the voltage whilst discharging with a known load. Local automotive battery suppliers (Plymouth Battery Centre behind Go Outdoors are stars) may have a computer that can do this for you.

 

[robertager1962]

Not sure if anyone can help but the T105 is 6 volt and rated at

To get to 12v, two x T105 are needed in series, weighing 28kgs each, whereas one 27TMH 12v weighs the same as one T105 and is smaller in area than the 2 x T105 so, plates are much thinner.

 

[GHA]

The only way to know the condition of your batteries is to charge then to float voltage and then measure the voltage whilst discharging with a known load. Local automotive battery suppliers (Plymouth Battery Centre behind Go Outdoors are stars) may have a computer that can do this for you.

Err..... no..

If 'condition' is capacity at 'boat type' discharge rates then the most accurate method isn't easy. A constant current load in a temperature controlled environment, usually at 25DegC. Temperature can make a significant difference to the battery capacity. >

Under-Load Battery Voltage vs. SOC

For a 20 hour test, or to see where your bank stands against how it is rated for Ah capacity, a 20 hour SOH (state of health) discharge test is performed. To perform a 20 hour test the battery is first charged to 100% SOC and then it’s allowed to rest for 24 hours. It is then discharged at a constant 0.05C discharge rate or Ah ÷ 20= X to a terminal voltage of *10.5V. The Ah’s or time at discharge rate is then calculated to show the percentage of the rated Ah capacity the battery could deliver at its current SOH. A discharge rate of 0.05C is equal to 5% of the batteries 20 hour rated capacity so 5% of 105Ah is 5.25A.

CCA testing in a garage won't tell you much really other than it will probably start and engine, >
Are Battery Conductance Testers Worth It?