what battery

[newboater]

I have read about batteries but a little confused as to which one to buy can you help?, I need a replacement for my auxillary battery off which I run an ebbersbacher heater one outlet,a cd player/radio and the usual lights not at the same time! Will an 85 amp leisure battery do.My current battery is a 60amp leisure battery and does not always have enough charge to cope. Thanks for any help.

 

[LadyInBed]

85Ah may well do, but you should do a calculation to find out what your actual current consumption is, then you will have an idea of the size of battery required. If you go up to a LARGE battery will your Altenator be up to the job?
Have a look at <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/> DEEP CYCLE BATTERY INFORMATION </A>

 

[dickh]

Try an Exide 110M - 110AH leasure battery - about £60+ - but do a power check as mentioned. And make sure your alternator can cope and fit a Smart Charger to fully charge the battery.

dickh
I'd rather be sailing... /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[richardandtracy]

I agree with Dickh, but want to add my bit too:-

If the alternator's not up to it, well, most alternators can be made to be up to it with an attack on the wiring of the regulator circuit. I suggest you get hold of a copy of "Alternator Secrets" by T J Lindsay if you're willing to modify the alternator. "Alternator Secrets" is an A5 leaflet sold by "Camden Miniature Steam Services" (www.camdenmin.co.uk, tel 01373-830151) for about £3.50. The leaflet is a bit expensive for what it is, but it does give some very useful ideas about arrays of batteries/ wiring tweaks etc & it may save you a fortune (ie a new alternator if yours doesn't seem up to it).

While you're at it, you may consider the book "Secrets of Lead Acid Batteries" also by T J Lindsay (again sold by Camden, for about £5). This book gives a very good description and explanation of all the woes of batteries, how to avoid them and a good few tips on how to look after them. There's a good description of the book at www.lindsaybks.com .

Regards

Richard

PS I'm not, repeat NOT, in the pay of either of the book sellers I recommended above. I have been just so amazed by the books sold by these people that I want to let others know about them. If you want to learn how to use a lathe, mill, how to cast metal, make electronic toys, lightning bolt generators etc then they're good places to start. Camden also has a wide range of books on heat engines, trains and boats too.