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Old 07-25-2018, 03:09 PM   #1
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My own fault!

I've been boating for over 30 years. Ronaldous Maximous was president!
Anyway, I've always been into routine maintenance. I believe, it's better to do a little work now and spend a little money now vs. a bunch later.
I just took possession of my boat in May of this year. I did check the oil once a week, at least every 2 weeks. Never checked the water in the batteries. The previous owner stayed plugged in, a sure sign that the batteries need topping off on occasion. Hauled the boat for painting and such last week. Just got around to checking the water in the batteries. Way low! The cells were exposed. Now I have 2, very expensive 8D's that ran for an undetermined amount of time with the cells exposed. I can see batteries in my future. For a 15 minute job to check the water, it's going to cost me big time. Maybe they were already toasted? At least I would have had a shot.
That's a 1 time per month thing for me, usually. It certainly will be from now on!
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Old 07-25-2018, 03:16 PM   #2
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Sorry to hear that! Heck with the price of 8 Ds.... removing 170lbs per battery concerns me far more. Ya got a few young strong guys hanging around your boat?
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Old 07-25-2018, 03:38 PM   #3
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They can be durable. Top em up and see. Also why I hate 8ds. I moved them once, never again.
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Old 07-25-2018, 03:38 PM   #4
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I just replaced 2 4Ds in my boat. Somewhat lighter than 8Ds by about 30 pounds. At least mine are in an easily accessible location. I feel for you.
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Old 07-25-2018, 03:42 PM   #5
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I haven't tried it myself - I check mine monthly - but you'll find mention here, probably in several places, that 2 Group 31s are an acceptable and less heavy substitution for an 8D. I'm going to try it when I need to.
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Old 07-25-2018, 03:48 PM   #6
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Hi Molly:

Who are you having paint your boat down there in Punta Gorda?

We researched the heck out of the Firefly batteries before we bought them. Among many other advantages, they have no water levels to check. We have six, and this bank is both our house and starting battery system.

https://www.bruceschwab.com/advanced...asis-group-31/

Just another thing to consider before buying more lead acid batteries.

Pea
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Old 07-25-2018, 04:03 PM   #7
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I hate 8D, I personally have no use for them.
When are we going to get away from thinking bigger batteries are better batteries.

Group 31 are good for me for starting.
I bought an 8D years ago and it disintegrated in about 2 years. Plates turned into mushy chunks.
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Old 07-25-2018, 04:17 PM   #8
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One guy says 8D are durable. The other guy calls them mush.

I had 8 of those big boys in a previous boat. They started both Jimmys, both nasty gensets and also provided house power through a 3kW inverter powering stove, fridge, freezer, water heater, etc.

They were old and hugely neglected by the PO. However I topped them up with water and they worked like champs for years.

So my impression is that 8Ds are robust, almost industrial grade. I say just continue to work them hard until absolutely dead, before spending many Boat bucks on new batteries.

PS: there has got to be someone knowledgeable here who can comment on plate thickness or other technical aspects of a typical 8D
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Old 07-25-2018, 05:56 PM   #9
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There are quality batteries and junk batteries in every group type. I have never seen exposed plates come back no matter how high the battery quality. I use only commercial grade batteries, but that’s easy for me, I drive by Dyno Batteries every week. As for group 31 vs 8d, if you match CCA then there is no issue. Yes 8d’s Are heavy, if you are doing the lifting then you might be better off with g31’s. If you pay to have batteries installed you might be better off with 8d’s.
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Old 07-25-2018, 06:03 PM   #10
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You have nothing to loose so refill them with demineralized water, charge them and test them. I did the same with my group 31. I was expecting them to be toasted but after refill and recharge, I tested them and they still gives me 20h of autonomy at 50% discharge, less but not so far from when they were new.

L
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Old 07-25-2018, 06:09 PM   #11
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Just a thought. Make sure you’re not boiling your batteries because of a faulty battery charger. Like I did recently!
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Old 07-25-2018, 06:57 PM   #12
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8D are not deep cycle, unless they are deliberately designed as deep cycle.
They are nothing special, simply big starting type batteries..
They are big and heavy, so back breakers, you risk your health moving them.
If I had them and they were bad, I would not replace with new 8D.
I personally have no use for them.
The one I bought years ago, I got from Sams Club and it had a Champion sticker on it.
It was very disappointing to see it turn to mush in 2 years.
Opening up the caps and looking inside, the plates had disintegrated.
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Old 07-25-2018, 07:06 PM   #13
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Molly, I had the same problem when my boat was "new to me". I topped up,added a desulphating potion,and recharged. One did not respond, one lasted a year, another lasted 3 years. You can get a range of results,but it`s worth a try to save them. A simple inexpensive hydrometer is useful for testing them after recharge.
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Old 07-25-2018, 07:32 PM   #14
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Work smarter
Not harder
If you hurt your back replacing batteries you are out of business for too long.
I Pay My Lawn Service Guy $50.00 to lift the old one out and the new one in.
5 Minutes Work
He’s happy and I don’t have a hurt back. [emoji41]
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Old 07-25-2018, 08:00 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sdowney717 View Post
8D are not deep cycle, unless they are deliberately designed as deep cycle.
They are nothing special, simply big starting type batteries..
They are big and heavy, so back breakers, you risk your health moving them.
If I had them and they were bad, I would not replace with new 8D.
I personally have no use for them.
The one I bought years ago, I got from Sams Club and it had a Champion sticker on it.
It was very disappointing to see it turn to mush in 2 years.
Opening up the caps and looking inside, the plates had disintegrated.
8D is only a group size. They come as starter batteries or as deep cycle. You can buy cheap crappy 750 CCA versions or you can buy high quality 1275 CCA versions. You might not have a use for them but that doesn’t mean that they are not viable for others.
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Old 07-25-2018, 08:08 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tiltrider1 View Post
8D is only a group size. They come as starter batteries or as deep cycle. You can buy cheap crappy 750 CCA versions or you can buy high quality 1275 CCA versions. You might not have a use for them but that doesn’t mean that they are not viable for others.
Like I said, if it is was me, I would not buy another one. AS I SAID in my post.
And I never did buy another one.

The group 31's I have are 950 CCA. Way more amps than I need.
Comes in 2 versions
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...1p30/2100010-P

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...B&gclsrc=aw.ds
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Old 07-25-2018, 09:44 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Miz Trom View Post
Hi Molly:

Who are you having paint your boat down there in Punta Gorda?

We researched the heck out of the Firefly batteries before we bought them. Among many other advantages, they have no water levels to check. We have six, and this bank is both our house and starting battery system.

https://www.bruceschwab.com/advanced...asis-group-31/

Just another thing to consider before buying more lead acid batteries.

Pea
Who did you purchase yours through? Their so-called dealers sure aren't promoting them much and at least one dealer claims they're on backorder and he doesn't have any.
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Old 07-25-2018, 10:20 PM   #18
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I use these to reduce battery watering needs. I watch them closely but only have to add water half as much.

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Old 07-25-2018, 10:50 PM   #19
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Nice tip, Al!
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Old 07-25-2018, 10:59 PM   #20
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I have Water Miser Caps on one 8D. Not quite as miserly as me, but helpful. There are bayonet adapters to fit certain batts, incl mine which is a Century/Yuasa. I had to raise the height of the cover over the batt box to accommodate cap and bayonet.
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