Battery Replacement

Jazzmanic · Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 3:21 pm Post subject: Battery Replacement

I've searched past threads about this topic and decided to ask anyway.

Our batteries are original (from 2005) making them 4 years +. I don't know if this has anything to do with it but I added a Lowrance GPS/Sonar unit a couple of months ago and since then, I've noticed the house battery flicker a few times. I don't charge the batteries regularly since they are dry stored at Twin Bridges. Once I noticed the flickering last weekend, I plugged in the shore power and it did charge the batteries.

Perusing the threads, I found that most batteries last from 4-6 years on average before replacement. I'm right there in the middle of that time frame. Our problem may be that I need to check the water in the batteries and try recharging more regularly. In any case, I'm going to check them on a DMM before replacing.

My question: Do you replace the batteries on a regular schedule, say every 4-5 years, BEFORE you have any signs that the battery is going or do you wait for consistent signs that the batteries are failing before replacing?

Chuckpacific · Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 4:28 pm Post subject:

I'm probably in the minority on this but my 'play' time is valuable to me and I don't like surprises. I changed my batteries after 5 years.

teflonmom · Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 5:41 pm Post subject: Battries

I always replace the battery I use for the house side every two years. then use the new battery as a starting battery and use the old starting battery for the house. It is important not to deplete too far before charging.

Fred, Pat, and Mr Grey (the cat)

rogerbum · Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 7:14 pm Post subject:

I replaced both of mine at 4.5 years. Nothing wrong with them but didn't want to wait until I needed them to find out. Replace the impellers on the engines too while you're at it. Can't hurt and it's cheap insurance.

hardee · Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 2:03 am Post subject: needed to be replaced

Peter,

We replaced two 05 (OEM) no maintainance NAPA dual purpose group 24's this spring. They have been on the boat since it was new (05) and have been run down completely twice due once to my missing a switch and once when the boat was left by the previous owner for ~9 months without anyone taking care of it. One of the replaced batteries was not holding as much charge as it should (about 12.2 usually) compared to the other. They were replace for 2 reasons. 1. I needed a higher amp hour battery and the other, 2. the mechanics had checked and said that one needed to be replaced rather than to think it would make it through the season. They were not set up as house and start, but each one has some functions of both. (Not my favorite setup but it works OK)

I do keep a cheapy Wally world digital volt meter plugged in and check circuits 1, 2 and both regularly, making sure I stay about 12.4 or better.

BTW, the mechanics were able to get Group 27's into the lazarettes, from the top, through the old hatch covers without removing them.

Good luck,

Harvey
SleepyC

Jazzmanic · Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 1:55 am Post subject:

Thanks for the replies guys. I guess the consensus would be to buy new batteries before anything goes wrong. It makes sense to me. The next time I go up, I will check them out now that I have a decent, albeit cheap, little digital mulitmeter. I could never get the auto-ranging Radio Shack multimeter to work properly.

I'll probably buy the batteries before our big trip to Desolation Sound in August... Amongst many other things. Crying or Very sad

BTW, Harvey, how in the heck did you squeeze those group 27's into one lazerette? I can barely fit the group 24's in there.

Rock-C · Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 4:29 pm Post subject:

Jazzmanic · Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 9:08 pm Post subject:

Hey Terry! It's great to hear from you, will you be coming up to the San Juans this summer?

As for our plans, we're going up to Desolation Sound during the last week of August. We'll ferry over to Nanaimo and drive up to near Campbell River before crossing over. We're really looking forward to this trip, it should be fun!

Peter & Caryn
C-Dancer

ghone · Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 11:54 pm Post subject: battery replacement

Hi Peter & Caryn, I don't mean to hijack this important thread but I see you're planning on hitting Nanaimo in August. Are you by any chance here for the July 31 gathering or thru later? Love to have you visit if it works. George CoolSmile

hardee · Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 12:10 pm Post subject: I paid the mechanic

Peter asked:

Jazzmanic · Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 1:43 pm Post subject:

George,

Nanaimo is definitely on our list of places to visit but unfortunately, we are committed to other plans that weekend. I hope you guys and gals have a great time up there!

Peter

Rock-C · Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:35 pm Post subject:

Hi Peter
Our plans are to attend the Bellingham CBGT, cruise the Island on the way to Nanaimo. We have two weeks this year and plan to go slow and enjoy.
Desolating Sound and/or the Broughtons are on the radar for the summer of 2011.
Wish you and Caryn smooth travels and quiet, uncrowded anchorages. Take lots of pictures.
Terry

Pat Anderson · Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:34 pm Post subject:

Hey, Terry! We are going to do the same, but spend a couple of days at Birch Bay after Bellingham before heading out into the Gulf Islands to work our way up to Nanaimo. Maybe we'll see you out there!

Desolation Cruiser · Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 3:57 pm Post subject:

Jazzmanic

I work at the NAPA store in Powell River.
I thought I should let you know about the latest in battery testing and charging technology.
We recently purchased a battery tester that measures the useable surface area remaining on the lead plates inside a battery. As a battery detriorates the useable surface area of the plates decreases,(for various reasons) lowering both the batteries Cranking amp and storeage potential.
These testers are becoming common in the automotive and marine service and repair industry locally because they can accurately determine the "state of health" of a lead acid battery, either absorbed glass mat (AGM) or flooded cell.
A simple voltage reading can not tell you anything about the condition of the plates which will deteriorate very quickly after a certain point.(good one day and bad the next)
I believe the key to long battery life is an automatic charger (maintainer)
which will keep your batteries at the optimal voltage for storage.
Sulphation occurs on the plates when the battery is left in a discharged condition (below 12.4 volts)
A lot of batteries are replaced long before thier life has ended!
I hope this helps.
Nice to hear that you will be in the area this summer Cool

smittypaddler

I have an automatic charger, and when the boat is in storage or in a marina on shore power the batteries get charged. Even when I'm on the hook I try to run a Honda 1000 gas generator for at least an hour every day. But recently I was on a trip where shore power wasn't available, and I got lazy and didn't run the generator for two days. The next time I tried to start the motors, my five-year-old batteries wouldn't turn over. I'm guessing that my regularly charging my batteries was concealing their gradual failure. Luckily, the marina I was at had marine starter batteries matching my old ones, and a quick switch of batteries (well, almost quick; I missed one cable for DC in the cabin, and it took awhile to find it down behind the battery) had me off and running.