Ski in NC
Technical Guru
It's time for a new thruster battery. This is on my 38, it has a Sidepower SE60 3.1kW 12v unit. I run a grp 24 batt and only get a few years out of it. I know the batt is pretty small for the thruster, but in my duty cycle I rarely have to run it more than 10-20sec. When batt is fresh, it does well and volts don't drop below 10.5 at batt terminals. When batt gets weak (now!!), when I spin the boat, volts start at 10.5 but right when boat has made its spin, its down to 8v and thruster is really losing it. Charge rig is three step, and charging still seems normal. Bulk at 14.6, float at 13.5, amps soon go to zero.
Since this is a planing boat, I do what I can to minimize weight, so I am going to stick with grp 24. If I only get two or three years, I am ok with that. But if changing to a better type batt increases that, great!
Last batt was West Marine dual purpose start/deep cycle. My thinking at the time was that the duty cycle was not that far different than cranking an engine for similar time, so a batt good for engine starting would be good here. But maybe not.
So here's my question: Should I get a starting batt, a deep cycle, or a dual purpose?
I figure amps under load are about 300. I've never run it over a minute without allowing it to charge back up. Not really a deep discharge, only about about 5Ah. Not going with a AGM.
I'm going to get a Deka in the AM tomorrow, my alt shop gives me decent prices, and Deka seems to be quality. I am skeptical of West batts, even if made by a good mfr, I suspect West has them made cheaply (dock talk there!!!).
What says the site?
Thanks.
Since this is a planing boat, I do what I can to minimize weight, so I am going to stick with grp 24. If I only get two or three years, I am ok with that. But if changing to a better type batt increases that, great!
Last batt was West Marine dual purpose start/deep cycle. My thinking at the time was that the duty cycle was not that far different than cranking an engine for similar time, so a batt good for engine starting would be good here. But maybe not.
So here's my question: Should I get a starting batt, a deep cycle, or a dual purpose?
I figure amps under load are about 300. I've never run it over a minute without allowing it to charge back up. Not really a deep discharge, only about about 5Ah. Not going with a AGM.
I'm going to get a Deka in the AM tomorrow, my alt shop gives me decent prices, and Deka seems to be quality. I am skeptical of West batts, even if made by a good mfr, I suspect West has them made cheaply (dock talk there!!!).
What says the site?
Thanks.
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