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07-25-2018, 03:09 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
City: Punta Gorda
Vessel Name: La Bella Vita
Vessel Model: 2006 Mainship 34T
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 127
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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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07-25-2018, 03:16 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
City: Lafayette, LA
Vessel Name: presently boatless
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 350
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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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07-25-2018, 03:38 PM
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#3
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Guru
City: Anacortes
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,189
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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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07-25-2018, 03:38 PM
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#4
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Moderator Emeritus
City: Au Gres, MI
Vessel Name: Black Dog
Vessel Model: Formula 41PC
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 21,185
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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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07-25-2018, 03:42 PM
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#5
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Guru
City: Solomons, MD
Vessel Name: Branwen
Vessel Model: Hatteras 48 LRC
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 645
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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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07-25-2018, 03:48 PM
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#6
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Guru
City: Hernando Beach
Vessel Model: Seaway
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 506
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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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07-25-2018, 04:03 PM
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#7
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Guru
City: Seaford Va on Poquoson River, VA
Vessel Name: Old Glory
Vessel Model: 1970 Egg Harbor 37 extended salon model
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,264
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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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07-25-2018, 04:17 PM
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#8
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Guru
City: Seattle
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,312
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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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07-25-2018, 05:56 PM
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#9
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Guru
City: Seattle
Vessel Name: AZZURRA
Vessel Model: Ocean Alexander 54
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 4,308
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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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07-25-2018, 06:03 PM
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#10
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Guru
City: Quebec
Vessel Name: Bleuvet
Vessel Model: Custom Built
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 4,375
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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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07-25-2018, 06:09 PM
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#11
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Guru
City: Vallejo, California
Vessel Name: Mahalo Moi
Vessel Model: 1986 Grand Banks 42 Classic
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,093
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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!
__________________
Ray
"Mahalo Moi"
1986 GB-42 Classic
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑβΕ
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07-25-2018, 06:57 PM
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#12
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Guru
City: Seaford Va on Poquoson River, VA
Vessel Name: Old Glory
Vessel Model: 1970 Egg Harbor 37 extended salon model
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,264
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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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07-25-2018, 07:06 PM
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#13
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Guru
City: Sydney
Vessel Name: Sojourn
Vessel Model: Integrity 386
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 13,329
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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.
__________________
BruceK
2005 Integrity 386 "Sojourn"
Sydney Australia
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07-25-2018, 07:32 PM
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#14
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Guru
City: Punta Gorda, fl
Vessel Name: Escapade
Vessel Model: Nordic Tug 37 2002
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,231
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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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07-25-2018, 08:00 PM
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#15
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Guru
City: Seattle
Vessel Name: AZZURRA
Vessel Model: Ocean Alexander 54
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 4,308
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sdowney717
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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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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07-25-2018, 08:08 PM
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#16
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Guru
City: Seaford Va on Poquoson River, VA
Vessel Name: Old Glory
Vessel Model: 1970 Egg Harbor 37 extended salon model
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,264
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tiltrider1
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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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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07-25-2018, 09:44 PM
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#17
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Guru
City: Fort Lauderdale. Florida, USA
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 21,449
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Miz Trom
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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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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07-25-2018, 10:20 PM
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#18
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TF Site Team
City: California Delta
Vessel Name: FlyWright
Vessel Model: 1977 Marshall Californian 34 LRC
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 13,728
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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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07-25-2018, 10:50 PM
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#19
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Guru
City: Longboat Key, FL
Vessel Name: Bucky
Vessel Model: Krogen Manatee 36 North Sea
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 5,196
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Nice tip, Al!
__________________
Larry
"When life gets hard, eat marshmallows”.
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07-25-2018, 10:59 PM
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#20
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Guru
City: Sydney
Vessel Name: Sojourn
Vessel Model: Integrity 386
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 13,329
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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.
__________________
BruceK
2005 Integrity 386 "Sojourn"
Sydney Australia
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