Starter Battery

[MedDreamer]

I want to add a second battery to give back up for starting the engine.

I have a Battery switch that I have now checked is pre-wired (both positive terminals go to the existing battery so it currently works in both "1" and "2" on positions).

The present battery is rated at 110 Ah and I intend using this for "domestics" when at anchor.

If I do this I need a starter battery. Can anybody recommend a suitable battery and supplier.

Or would I be better keeping the existing battery for starting and buying the second one for "domestics" ?. If so can you recommend a good battery to perform this function.

Thanks

Martyn




<hr width=100% size=1>Do you think a Fleming 55 would look out of place on Windermere?

 

[martynwhiteley]

Some may advise to keep your current as the 'starter battery' and buy a 'leisure' battery for the new one, since these are better for the long slow draw of domestics.

Halfords sell them, as do caravan shops, and many other places that sell car batteries. You'd prob pay about £80 at Halford, and £50 at a low cost caravan suppliers, for a large capacity leisure battery.

My view is that there's a benefit from having two 'starter' batteries, incase one is flattened, you can always start with the other, so I got a large one from Makro for £25.

I my Yorkshire way, I think it's best to only spend £25, 'cos they spend 99% of their lives unused, and are likely to need replacing every other season anyway. So buy cheap and change often (I do the same with carpets (and SWMBO's /forums/images/icons/wink.gif)).

However carrying a new Makro battery out to Palma every year may be above the EasyJet hand luggage allowance!

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[tripleace]

There is a big difference between starting batteries and domestic.

Starting have bigger plates and can supply a large current (ie needed for short large loads)

Domestics can handle long slow drains down to almost flat.

I am told domestics can be damaged by using as starters.



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[MedDreamer]

Hi Martyn

How's Naburn?

Yes I suppose one good option would be to buy another one the same as I have. All I want is backup and the one I have has proved adequate. It is a little on the large side though and the space available for the second battery is limited unless I move a few things about.

<hr width=100% size=1>Do you think a Fleming 55 would look out of place on Windermere?

 

[MedDreamer]

So what would be the best combination then? Should I get two new batteries and dispose of the old one. If so what should the rating of each one be?

Some American websites advocate 6V golf buggy batteries wired in serial for domestics

PS Did you have three starter batteries on Tripleace?

<hr width=100% size=1>Do you think a Fleming 55 would look out of place on Windermere?

 

[tripleace]

Triple ace had two starter batteries

one for port and and the other for both Starboard and Centre.

Additionally we had two domestics.

We also had a "combined" switch to join all batteries together.

the three alternators had charging diodes so that one alternator or all three could charge automatically one or all batteries.

the battery charger also used the same diodes and was able to keep all batteries charged.

phew..... it was easier to use than type.


I suggest 1 of each type and a manual switch.

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[TonyBrooks]

Although traditionally there has been a big difference between starter and deep cycle (domestic) batteries, the advent of sleeper cabs and such like on trucks has caused the starter battery technology to allow them to accept "domestic" use.

You will find "no-name" - but actually made in avery large South African factory producing some brand name batteries - dual purpose bateries at about 57ukp for 110 amd hour ones, guarenteed for two years (for what thats worth.) You might have to investigate a few ditch chandlers to find them at thatr price though, and battery specialists wioll probably beat the price.

These batteries are now sold as LEASURE batteries, so refering to a "domestic" deep cycle battery as a leasure battery can cause confusion.

They are unlikley to last as long in either the engine starting role or the domestic one as batteries designed specifically for that purpose, but as many/most batteries die from neglect/under charging I think its academic.

I believe that twin battery instalations (engine and domestic) alcohol consumption, and manual bank switching is asking for disaster, and as the voltdrop through blocking diodes ensure that batteries are never fully charged (unless you have a battery sensed alternator or certain advanced controllers) I think charging should be taken care of by a large capacity split charging relay - not the Lucas toy from a carvan shop.

If this forum is anything like the newsgroups, I will now dive for cover.

Tony Brooks

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[tcm]

Re: Yorkshire ways

It is of course entirely reasonale to imagine that the only place that sells reasonable things DEAD CHEAP is in Yorkshire. Thus caravanners from Leeds arrive in Franceequipped with three weeks supply of Muesli, and some daft people have even been known to pack a load of peaudouce disposable nappies in the car too, when they actually make the things in france.

Not sure of the wisdom of taking a bluddy big battery on an airplane. Is it allowed?

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[martynwhiteley]

Re: Yorkshire ways

They make Gordon's in England, but it doesn't stop me bringing it back from many a European destination.

It amused me when I worked in Tunisia a few years ago, and many expats had a good business buying Discoverys direct from Rover UK for about £12K instead of £22K, then driving them back to the UK during their summer leave, only paying the vat on re-entry.

I failed to take part in this venture, thus still stuck in engineering with a £20K boat.

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[BarryH]

I've been using leisure batteries for starting the engine for tha past 6 years. Still the same batteries and the've never been off the boat. The only charge that they ever get is from the alt. Cheap too, about 17 quid each from my trade place.

Depends on what engine your starting though. Might be a bit iffy on a big diesel, but they've been fine on my petrols.

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[tripleace]

yep its the load.

if your petrols start well then it will be a low load,

if however they won't strat and you have to keep turning over the engine, it would probably a different matter.

or just you got a very good quality battery which can take the hammering?

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[MedDreamer]

With the current battery it isn't a brilliant starter, when cold always needs quite a bit of cranking, so on that basis I think I will buy a starter battery and keep the existing for domestics

<hr width=100% size=1>Do you think a Fleming 55 would look out of place on Windermere?

 

[Jenko]

Towsure do a 110a/h leasuire battery for, a very reasonable, £39. I will be buying one of these when my boat arrives, and my plan is to fit a changer over switch, so I can use the 75a/h for starting, and the 110a/h for domestics.



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[PhilF]

Solar chargers

Fed up with flat battery on arrival in Med.
Anyone any experience with solar chargers.
Ta in advance
Phil (cant wait to go back)

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