31 TE Batteries

[RobS]

is it typical to wire 6V batteries in parallel as well as in series?

Yes, double the voltage and double the capacity. Here's my 6V golf car house bank. Flooded batteries are the best bank for the buck if overhead access allows easy maintenance.

[Nancy]

Rob and Kevin - yes, we've stuck with flooded batteries, too, even though access is a real pain. Got one of those cool watering cans very early on. Still a PITA.

[Jestark]

Thanks for the great replies. I have some shopping to do! I think my Charles 40 amp charger will handle either AGM or lead acid (need to check the switch on the back). We do have a Northern Lights 5.5 kw generator which runs poorly and needs TLC before I rely on it for anything.

[jashmen]

Rob and Kevin - yes, we've stuck with flooded batteries, too, even though access is a real pain. Got one of those cool watering cans very early on. Still a PITA.

We have no overhead access so we splurged on one of those watering kits that attaches to each hole. Works well, all 6 batterys at once!

[Nancy]

We have no overhead access so we splurged on one of those watering kits that attaches to each hole. Works well, all 6 batterys at once!

?? Can you fill me in on this? Got a link? How does this magic gizmo compensate if not all the cells need water?

[Pitou]

We have no overhead access so we splurged on one of those watering kits that attaches to each hole. Works well, all 6 batterys at once!

?? Can you fill me in on this? Got a link? How does this magic gizmo compensate if not all the cells need water?

One of these type rigs, I suppose. I've looked, but have never jumped:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqCgz_Vbnag

[jashmen]

We have no overhead access so we splurged on one of those watering kits that attaches to each hole. Works well, all 6 batterys at once!

?? Can you fill me in on this? Got a link? How does this magic gizmo compensate if not all the cells need water?

One of these type rigs, I suppose. I've looked, but have never jumped:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqCgz_Vbnag

Something like that. I can't remember the brand, but I know Trojan has their version. They are on Amazon.

[Nancy]

Huh! I learn something new every day. I see the prices are all over the place. Showed it to my other half, and he just shook his head and walked away. Works for me as long as he's willing to check the batteries! I find it very difficult.

[WillieC]

Nancy, I am upgrading my system to a dual golf cart battery series arrangement for true deepcycle use. On our A25 that means running the heater after dark and in the morning before we crank the Ancient Volvo. Baby steps.

I looked at watering systems and found out that Trojan's system cost almost as much as a new battery. I was SHOCKED, simply SHOCKED to find a new in box unit at our local re-sale chandlery, Longship Marine in Poulsbo, big shout out for them! 35 bux! I ALMOST bought it, I was that close. Then I noticed it was only the interconnecting tubing with no squeeze bulb pump that uses a proprietary connection which could be addressed with a pair of dikes. Apparently that manufacturer sells their kits like that. So I put it back on the shelf. I'll be back.

As long as the curmudgeon is happy to stand on his head and splash sulfuric acid all over the battery compartment while dropping the caps into the inaccessible reaches of the bilge...hmmm, I think I just described myself... Well, let him! I may spend the big bucks on this next year once I know how the new system requires watering. I'll be checking often.

[Nancy]

LOL, Willie! I thought you were talking about my DH!

[Jestark]

Thanks all for the advice. Ended up with deep cycle 4D for house and two 4D starting batteries. Passed first real test this last week with 600 mile roundtrip run to Marathon in the Keys.

[REBMystic]

Thanks all for the advice. Ended up with deep cycle 4D for house and two 4D starting batteries. Passed first real test this last week with 600 mile roundtrip run to Marathon in the Keys.

Good to hear the set-up went well. Question for you on your 31 TE and how the battery switches are wired. I am learning my 31 TE.. I have found the FWD battery switch is for panel (house), Middle and aft switches are the port and stbd engines. But the battery switches only have "1", "2" and "ALL", How are these wired for 3 batteries?!

Thx
Rob

[spover]

Regarding the concern about refilling lead acid batteries, I have used Hydrocaps to deal with limited access battery banks. In my case they were installed on a 12V house bank made up of 4 6V cart batteries and they worked well. Hydrocaps replace the existing battery fill caps and catalytically recombine the hydrogen and oxygen gases into pure water and return it to the cell.

https://hydrocapcorp.com/

[Jestark]

Thanks all for the advice. Ended up with deep cycle 4D for house and two 4D starting batteries. Passed first real test this last week with 600 mile roundtrip run to Marathon in the Keys.

Good to hear the set-up went well. Question for you on your 31 TE and how the battery switches are wired. I am learning my 31 TE.. I have found the FWD battery switch is for panel (house), Middle and aft switches are the port and stbd engines. But the battery switches only have "1", "2" and "ALL", How are these wired for 3 batteries?!

Thx
Rob

Rob, not sure I fully understand how they are wired. However, this is what I do:
FWD switch is House and I usually place it in the 1 position to run 12v DC when engines secured.
Mid and aft are starting batteries for Port and Stbd engines, respectively. They seem to work in the 1, 2, or ALL positions and will only start their respective engine. I typically run with all three switches in the ALL positions based on a mechanic's advise. Don't know if it matters or not. So far, no issues. batteries stay fully charged through either shore power charging or alternators.
Jim