Batteries

[JoeH]

Have a 28TE Flush deck. Need to replace batteries this spring. Thinking of replacing my current two D4s with two Group 31's. Reason -- easier to handle and less expensive. One for cranking the other for house.

Any thoughts, good idea, bad idea or no idea.

Thanks in advance.

Joe H

[jcollins]

Hi Joe,
I purchased Odyssey batteries last year. Very good reviews. Long service life. Pricey.

[JoeH]

Hi Joe,
I purchased Odyssey batteries last year. Very good reviews. Long service life. Pricey.

Hi John,

Were they the ODYSSEY PC2150 by chance. If so they certainly are pricey If not the PC2150 could you advise which model.

Thanks,

Joe

[jcollins]

Hi Joe,
I purchased Odyssey batteries last year. Very good reviews. Long service life. Pricey.

Hi John,

Were they the ODYSSEY PC2150 by chance. If so they certainly are pricey If not the PC2150 could you advise which model.

Thanks,

Joe

Yes they are the 2150. If I recall, shipping to Maryland was 65.00. I think I got them at batterymart.com in Virginia

[JoeH]

Hi Joe,
I purchased Odyssey batteries last year. Very good reviews. Long service life. Pricey.

Hi John,

Were they the ODYSSEY PC2150 by chance. If so they certainly are pricey If not the PC2150 could you advise which model.

Thanks,

Joe

Yes they are the 2150. If I recall, shipping to Maryland was 65.00. I think I got them at batterymart.com in Virginia

Hi John,

I assume you are using one of the 2150 for the house accessories. Does that include the bow thruster as well. As you know the thruster sucks up mega amps.

Thanks and have a great weekend.

Joe

[jcollins]

Joe,
I use two for starting and one for the house. If I recall the thruster is connected to all 3. It works no matter what position my switch is in. Since I never use it unless the engine is running, I haven't given it much thought. Same with the windlass.

[mhanna]

Interesting how each boat is different. My 2 Batteries go through an AB switch and if its off, everything but the pumps are off. I usually have the switch set to A&B when the boat is running as you can tell from the thruster when only using 1.
I have been watching the battery threads, although I do not need new ones now (2 - 4D's), I am thinking of going to a different type when needed. If I use the thruster for more than a few seconds, the electronics go out, I would like a seperate battery for that and if I can get more juice from the same physical space I may be able to add another.

Matt

[RicM]

If your electronics cut out when you use the thruster then you need new batteries now, or you have some other problem. Do you start your engine with the switch in A+B? You should be able to start and run with either battery by itself. Consistantly running with A+B would mask a problem with either or possibly both. I have one battery that will not sustain the GPS when I start the motor (larger drain than thruster), the other will. That tells me that battery is on the way out. Check water levels, and if topped off, have a pro check them under load.

[Pitou]

I hear you about the easier to handle part. The 4D's at about 130lbs each I only took them off board the 1st winter storage season and have since visited the boat every 30-45 days to plug in and charge. A good excuse to visit anyway ...... headed there today. I don't know about reducing the house battery size especially if you run the reefer and other DC power when on the hook or do any overnights off of shore power. Sizing the starting battery to a 31 has crossed my mind as well.

My original house battery was a group 27 .... much to small. I replaced it with a Rolls deep cycle 4D Battery that should last 10 years. The starting battery is an Exide 4D combination deep cycle/starting and is original to 2002. Though my hydrometer says it is good having 6 years under its belt I am going to pull the Exide this year and bring it to my local Rolls shop to be tested. Both are wet cell. I will say I do shut the starting battery down through the switch when on the hook or at the dock which has probably lengthened its life.

[Merry Kate]

a pair of 6V golf cart batteries wired in series with a short length of battery cable will give almost as much capacity and more charge/discharge cycles than an 8D monster and be twice as easy to get in & out (literally). I'm replacing my house bank of two Trojan T-105s after 8 years (that cost $90 a piece) - not bad for old fashioned lead-acid wet cell battery technology.

[mhanna]

Ric, I hear ya about the possible need for new batteries, they are 2 years old and last year I checked them and they were good on levels and hydro test and also on a load meter (ie.. 30 seconds of 50amp load, ect.. made for car batteries but its what I had).
I dont usually start the boat with electronics on, but I will use the thruster and if on for more than say 5-10 seconds, my Raymarine gear reboots. Not my other stuff so Im not really sure if its too sensitive or what. Obviously no good is coming of this and thats why I am looking at a house battery.
I also bought the new 8 blade bow prop, supposedly 20% less current ? we will see....

Matt

[RicM]

I have all Furuno gear, and it reboots when I restart the engine after drifting with one battery and not the #2 battery. Both are pretty new. Newmar makes a battery backup system if you keep having the problem. It's got a small battery that takes over when the voltage drops or is interupted for a short time.

[RobS]

I also bought the new 8 blade bow prop, supposedly 20% less current ? we will see.... Matt

Matt,
Was that an 8-blade or 6-blade prop?
I was speaking with a rep from Vetus recently who advised that the new prop they have out for the 50kgf thruster is a 6-blade, part # SET0088 with a list price of $126.50. It is supposed to be more efficient than the originally supplied 3-blade prop. I have not ordered it yet so not sure if it will go for full list price. I was given the local dealer as Jamestown Distributors in RI at (401) 253-3840. Where did you buy your replacement prop?

[mhanna]

I guess I was getting carried away, 6 blades not 8 and 10% power not 20% ... I did buy the new prop last year during the summer from defender marine.
Item Description: VETUS 6 BLADE REPLACEMENT PROP
Item Number: 300065
Quantity Ordered: 1
Price Each: $64.95
I have not put it in, but will before launch. There was a thread on it
http://albinowners.net/aog/viewtopic.ph ... op&start=0

I am hoping for a little less noise and a little less electric draw.
BTW, I tried to pickup shear pins from defender late last year, I think Vetus has stopped doing biz with them. I had to go to Jamestown and they more expensive... Defender had pins for $10, Jamestown wanted $17. Not that $7 will kill me but I think it was more than Vetus list price. Seeing your prop cost....
Anyone else know of a US Vetus distributer ?

Matt

[jcollins]

Not much better here, but a little

http://www.go2marine.com/product.do?no=154518F