Trojan T015

JohnGC

JohnGC

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I'm considering replacing my existing service battery with an even number of Trojan T105s. Several forumites have recommended them and their size and electrical specification would suit my boat.

One of the downsides of flooded batteries is that they are not spill proof. Trojan state that the T105s can be used up to an angle of 20 degrees (I don't know if that is the point at which the acid spills or the plates begin to uncover).

Obviously a yacht heels rather more than 20 degrees and I'm sure there will be a good deal of "sloshing" about within the battery cells.

What are other forumites experiences with acid spills and heeling? I'm interested in the T105s in particular and flooded batteries in general.
 
TQA said:
Well I have these and have never had a problem with spills and it is a battery that is widely used in the liveaboard community and I have never heard of it being an issue with anyone.
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That's encouraging news. It suggests that the 20 degree limit is either conservative or the point at which the plates begin to uncover and not the angle at which they spill.

Do Trojan specify the orientation of the max angle?
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20 degrees is the figure given to me by Trojan after I emailed them and asked for the maximum operating angle and told them this was for a yacht application.
 
JohnGC said:
20 degrees is the figure given to me by Trojan after I emailed them and asked for the maximum operating angle and told them this was for a yacht application.
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Yes, but I wondered in which direction the 20 degree limit applied - side to side of the battery, or lengthways?
 
I tested my T105s when they arrived. I'd need to dig out my notes but remember it was around 45 deg. mark before the acid was anywhere close to the lip. They were marginally over-filled and tilted on side (i.e. Not towards terminals).

I measured the tilt in that direction as that was the only way they'd fit in the boat (without a lot of work). I know that the best orientation is with plates facing in centreline but decided I'd live with the incorrect orientation.

I'm pretty certain that they wouldn't spill at 45 deg. if tipped the other way. That's with the caps off and they would limit spillage at higher angles of heel (practically a capsize :D).
 
Mistroma said:
I tested my T105s when they arrived. I'd need to dig out my notes but remember it was around 45 deg. mark before the acid was anywhere close to the lip. They were marginally over-filled and tilted on side (i.e. Not towards terminals).

I measured the tilt in that direction as that was the only way they'd fit in the boat (without a lot of work). I know that the best orientation is with plates facing in centreline but decided I'd live with the incorrect orientation.

I'm pretty certain that they wouldn't spill at 45 deg. if tipped the other way. That's with the caps off and they would limit spillage at higher angles of heel (practically a capsize :D).
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Very useful information, thanks.
 
Have used wet cells for 20 years and not had a spill. They're mounted lengthwise with terminals facing fore/aft. Also looking at replacing current ones with Trojans but 12v due to size restrictions.
 
I have 4 x T125. These are mounted across the boat and have certainly been beyond 45 degrees with no sign of spillage. With the cap in the centre of each cell, I don't think the orientation makes much difference to spill resistance. However mounting the batteries across the boat keeps the individual cells fore and aft and means that the plates are more likely to remain submerged in the electrolite.
Explanation here: http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/flooded_battery_orientation
 
geoid96 said:
I have 4 x T125. These are mounted across the boat and have certainly been beyond 45 degrees with no sign of spillage. With the cap in the centre of each cell, I don't think the orientation makes much difference to spill resistance. However mounting the batteries across the boat keeps the individual cells fore and aft and means that the plates are more likely to remain submerged in the electrolite.
Explanation here: http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/flooded_battery_orientation
Click to expand...

Good link thanks.
 
>One of the downsides of flooded batteries is that they are not spill proof.

We had Tojan105s and never has a spill in six and a half years of long distance sailing and much heeling and major rolling in swells. If the caps are properly screwed in I don't see how they could leak even upside down.

>I'm sure there will be a good deal of "sloshing" about within the battery cells.

If they are filled properly just above the plates there isn't much sloshing, try listening close to the batteries you can't hear anything.
 
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