JDCAVE
Guru
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2011
- Messages
- 3,036
- Location
- Canada
- Vessel Name
- Phoenix Hunter
- Vessel Make
- Kadey Krogen 42 (1985)
I’m late to this thread. Clearly the bank now needs replacing. Lots of good advice here. However, there is some important information that is missing:
1) What is the typical 24-hour demand on your DC system? I.E. how many amp hours would your bank be depleted over a 24 hour period?
2) How sizeable are your inverter loads?
3) Prior to your problems, what was the typical or usual “state-of-charge” of the bank before you start to recharge?
4) Do you bring it up to a full state-of charge-regularly? Preferably daily, or at least every other day?
5) Do you have solar panels to bring the bank up to a fully charged state?
Answering these questions will guide you on what changes you should be making as to whether to change technology to LFP, and also sizing the bank properly.
FWIW, I have a 900 AH, Trojan T-105 bank. I have replaced my batteries twice. I got 9 years out of my first replacement, which was 1125 AH and there was still life left in it. I downsized it to 900 AH, because with solar, I rarely went below 85% SOC. I then got a Starlink, which raised my inverter use and overall loads considerably. Had I known about the demands of using the Starlink, I would have remained at 1125 AH. I add more water, more regularly than before. Upgrading to the LFP batteries is a no-brainer for some on this Forum, but it would require upgrades to the charging and monitoring systems, particularly the alternator, which are costly. I’m not keeping the boat past my current battery purchase. So it’s not just about comparing battery costs.
Hope this helps.
Jim
1) What is the typical 24-hour demand on your DC system? I.E. how many amp hours would your bank be depleted over a 24 hour period?
2) How sizeable are your inverter loads?
3) Prior to your problems, what was the typical or usual “state-of-charge” of the bank before you start to recharge?
4) Do you bring it up to a full state-of charge-regularly? Preferably daily, or at least every other day?
5) Do you have solar panels to bring the bank up to a fully charged state?
Answering these questions will guide you on what changes you should be making as to whether to change technology to LFP, and also sizing the bank properly.
FWIW, I have a 900 AH, Trojan T-105 bank. I have replaced my batteries twice. I got 9 years out of my first replacement, which was 1125 AH and there was still life left in it. I downsized it to 900 AH, because with solar, I rarely went below 85% SOC. I then got a Starlink, which raised my inverter use and overall loads considerably. Had I known about the demands of using the Starlink, I would have remained at 1125 AH. I add more water, more regularly than before. Upgrading to the LFP batteries is a no-brainer for some on this Forum, but it would require upgrades to the charging and monitoring systems, particularly the alternator, which are costly. I’m not keeping the boat past my current battery purchase. So it’s not just about comparing battery costs.
Hope this helps.
Jim
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