Batteries

[KEVMAR]

with that said can I replace the 6 volt batteries with 12 volt batteries. what would be the benefit of going to 12 volt, I presently have 4 6volt GC2 batteries Duracell .. should I replace 12 volt or stay with the same. they have been in use since 2013.

[john61ct]

If you're happy stick with the same, can't beat the cost, take abuse, less stress trying to coddle them

What makes you think need replacing now?

[john61ct]

There is no benefit going to 12V, more likely you get fooled by false labeling

[CMS]

Originally Posted by KEVMAR

I think its time for replacement and asking what type/manufacture most folks are using . mine are group 24 ... thank you

You say G-24 here...

Originally Posted by KEVMAR

I presently have 4 6volt GC2 batteries Duracell .. .

You say GC2 6V here??

Four years would be sub-optimal life for a GC2 bank yet decent life for a G-24 bank..

If you actually have GC2's in there now, and convert to G-24, you'll very likely cut your battery life in half.

A GC2 bank should quite easily go well beyond 5 years with averages closer to 7-9 years with good care & use practices. At 4 years either they are not dead yet or they've had sub-optimal care.

Good news is a GC2 bank is quite in-expensive so just replace it and continue on. If you're satisfied with 4 years of cycle life don't change anything, if you're not, then address the use and charging practices and you may even see double or beyond in the life of the bank..

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by KEVMAR

the batteries that are now in the boat are 6 volt golf cart battery GC2 and there are only 4 . the starting battery is 12 volt and all are flooded .. I miss quoted in my original post.

Originally Posted by KEVMAR

with that said can I replace the 6 volt batteries with 12 volt batteries. what would be the benefit of going to 12 volt, I presently have 4 6volt GC2 batteries Duracell .. should I replace 12 volt or stay with the same. they have been in use since 2013.

Ah. That makes a big difference. Sounds like a decent house set-up, and if the capacity has been sufficient, maybe no need at all for design change.

(And replacing those with most 12V batteries would likely be a step backwards. See CMS links about deep cycle batteries.)

Next maybe would be to address why you think your current ones need replacement. Are you just reckoning that 4 years is long enough so that they're at end of life? Or are you actually seeing that you sometimes can't run some stuff on your current batteries?

What is your resting open circuit voltage reading? (i.e., after charging for say 24 hours, then unloading and resting for say 6-24 hours...)

If the batteries are fine but your capacity has still been insufficient for routine DC needs, and if you have space, maybe eventually adding another pair of GC2s could be nice. Common guidance is to replace all batteries in a bank at the same time, though (meaning it might not be great to just add a pair of GC2s to your existing 4-year-old GC2s).

-Chris

[Shrew]

In our previous boat I had (2 x group 31) Cycle for the house and (1 x Group 24) Starting. all AGM Lifeline batteries. That setup was still working well after 9 years.

My current setup is (1 x 8D) House & (1 x 8D) Starting. These are both Lifeline AGM Deep Cycle.

IMHO you pay for the cycles (potential). Cycles will vary based on use and care. My personal opinion is you cannot get the same number of duty cycles from a lessor brand despite the same level of use and maintenance.

It's also my opinion that a house bank should be well oversized for it's use. I feel that you get much better battery life by drawing down very little and recharging to full. Rather than drawing down deeply. recharging to full and periodic battery conditioning is key.

[FF]

"Rather than drawing down deeply. recharging to full and periodic battery conditioning is key.'

Very true , but unless a cruiser has good solar , or a 24/7 noisemaker chances are the usual time the batts get to 100% full is dockside.

AS that can be months between , oversized batts , to allow for the loss in capacity over time is always a great idea.

[foggysail]

Originally Posted by FF

"Rather than drawing down deeply. recharging to full and periodic battery conditioning is key.'

Very true , but unless a cruiser has good solar , or a 24/7 noisemaker chances are the usual time the batts get to 100% full is dockside.

AS that can be months between , oversized batts , to allow for the loss in capacity over time is always a great idea.

Yes to above AND without solar, a very good battery charger is necessary for 100% charging! I am not current with present battery charger technology so I cannot comment as to any programmable ones being available if any. This I do know from personal experience, my Xantrex 5012 (or is it 1250?) does a horrible job of bringing my battery cells up to where they belong. Xantrex enters float way too early. My solar along with my Victron 150-70 does impressive charging and of course the Victron is programmable

[john61ct]

Originally Posted by foggysail

Yes to above AND without solar, a very good battery charger is necessary for 100% charging! I am not current with present battery charger technology so I cannot comment as to any programmable ones being available if any

Sterling ProCharge Ultra and ProMariner Pronautic P are great user-adjustable lines.

[john61ct]

Originally Posted by Shrew

In our previous boat I had (2 x group 31) Cycle for the house and (1 x Group 24) Starting. all AGM Lifeline batteries. That setup was still working well after 9 years.

My current setup is (1 x 8D) House & (1 x 8D) Starting. These are both Lifeline AGM Deep Cycle.

IMHO you pay for the cycles (potential). Cycles will vary based on use and care. My personal opinion is you cannot get the same number of duty cycles from a lessor brand despite the same level of use and maintenance.

The fact that you've used Lifeline for your AGMs is why, an "exception that proves the rule".

At the low priced end of the market, pairs of 6V FLA GCs are a great value, like $180 for 200+AH, but not those automotive form factors in 12V.

[FF]

"I am not current with present battery charger technology so I cannot comment as to any programmable ones being available if any."

With the feds and states sloshing cash for "renewable" energy there is a huge boom in equipment and suppliers.

Home Power has been the leader for a long time in this area , and there are probably 10,000 as many customers for homes and electric cars , and even now electric motorcycles than for cruising boats.

Home Power Magazine: Renewable Energy & Efficiency Technologies

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[MichaelB1969]

Originally Posted by KEVMAR

what type of batteries are you using ?? I have a 36 ft albin which currently has 6 house batteries flood type. and one starter flood. They were put in in 2013. I think its time for replacement and asking what type/manufacture most folks are using . mine are group 24 ... thank you

I just put in two Mastervolt 4D batteries. Also installed a Balmar SmartGauge. So far, very happy with the setup. I was sorta forced into the Mastervolt as they are a bit narrower than standard-sized 4D batteries and were one of the only 4D's that would fit in the existing space I had.

That said, the Mastervolt are supposed to be very good batteries.

[FF]

"I think its time for replacement and asking what type/manufacture most folks are using . mine are group 24 ... thank you"

Space is the limiter ., install the largest heaviest deep cycle batts that will fit in the existing batt box., if you anchor out a bunch.

[Seevee]

Question:

Why would going from 6v to 12v be a bad idea?

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by ranger42c

Ah. That makes a big difference. Sounds like a decent house set-up, and if the capacity has been sufficient, maybe no need at all for design change.

(And replacing those with most 12V batteries would likely be a step backwards. See CMS links about deep cycle batteries.)

Originally Posted by Seevee

Question:
Why would going from 6v to 12v be a bad idea?

Don't think it is, by definition. Depends.

If you're asking about my comment above, that's situational. In his case, he's already got a house bank of approx 440 Ah (guessing a bit) with two pairs of 6V golf cart batteries. Usually more capacity (Ah) and decent deep cycling are goals for house banks... and often golf cart batteries are apparently a good way to get there from here.

The 12V batteries he mentioned as possible replacements -- to fit the available space -- would likely decrease his overall capacity, and would likely not be deep cycle batteries.

But I think each situation likely needs its own analysis...

-Chris

[Shrew]

Originally Posted by john61ct

The fact that you've used Lifeline for your AGMs is why, an "exception that proves the rule".

At the low priced end of the market, pairs of 6V FLA GCs are a great value, like $180 for 200+AH, but not those automotive form factors in 12V.

The OP asked an informal poll on what people are using. I provided my stats.

It's not clear what you're criticizing here. The Lifeline brand, 12V, the battery form factor? sizes? Are you saying that your opinion is the only right opinion?

Also not clear on the 'exception' and 'rule' being referenced.

[john61ct]

Originally Posted by Seevee

Question:

Why would going from 6v to 12v be a bad idea?

If you are buying a top trusted mfg, you will be able to see how many fewer cycles 12V vs 6V from their spec sheets and charts.

At the low end the 12V makers lie, very often not even built for deep cycling at all.

In consumer retail channels only 6V GCs are.

CMS rant https://marinehowto.com/what-is-a-deep-cycle-battery/

[KEVMAR]

I have a ford lelham diesel whus grade of oilf should I be using in my engine 120 hp I have been using rotella 15w

[KEVMAR]

Probably inwring section for above question