I need to replace my house batteries and was convinced I needed deep cycle AGMs plus a top quality charger. Lifelines come in at 600 per 105 amp hour so not much change out of $2K for plus a charger which would start at $600.
I was in a well known chandlery where a really helpful worker told me many of his live aboard mates are now using good quality VLRA car batteries because they:
1. are substantially cheaper
2. are not as prone to damage from less than ideal charging conditions
3. Don't need separate charging regimes for house and starting batteries. (added cost and complications of expensive chargers and dual systems)
4. In practise often last as long or longer (if you don't discharge them too deeply) than deep cycles because they don't get damaged as easily.
Even if I had less capacity and shorter life it still sounds like a convincing argument. The idea of a robust, simple system has great appeal and the cost savings are very persuasive.
Any thoughts?
Select to expand quoteandy59 said..
I need to replace my house batteries and was convinced I needed deep cycle AGMs plus a top quality charger. Lifelines come in at 600 per 105 amp hour so not much change out of $2K for plus a charger which would start at $600.
I was in a well known chandlery where a really helpful worker told me many of his live aboard mates are now using good quality VLRA car batteries because they:
1. are substantially cheaper
2. are not as prone to damage from less than ideal charging conditions
3. Don't need separate charging regimes for house and starting batteries. (added cost and complications of expensive chargers and dual systems)
4. In practise often last as long or longer (if you don't discharge them too deeply) than deep cycles because they don't get damaged as easily.
Even if I had less capacity and shorter life it still sounds like a convincing argument. The idea of a robust, simple system has great appeal and the cost savings are very persuasive.
Any thoughts?
Andy I reciently went through the same process and ended up buying 235 AH 6 volt flooded acid batteries, made in the USA for $200 ea.
Just my take on the best value for the job.
I bought ex Telstra Batteries $50 per 100ah,as every time they upgrade they replace. The battery is 400x100 and never been cycled as there for an UPS.
Select to expand quoteHG02 said..
Are those Golf cart batteries Uncle Bob?
Yes, same size as trojan T105, 235 AH.
There was a thread here quite some time ago where one of the Seabreezers bought Caterpillar batteries, from memory the price was about $150 each.
Unfortunately the search function in Seabreeze won't go back more than 12 months so I can't find it at the moment.
Wow that's good value Uncle Bob
Also those ex telstra batteries sound like amazing value sctpc
Thanks for the input
The only thing is I am convinced I need a totally sealed battery in case I end up upside down at some point
I was offered 4 100amp hour discovery gel batteries for $1100 this morning at a local battery shop which sounds pretty good ??
Select to expand quoteLooseChange said...
There was a thread here quite some time ago where one of the Seabreezers bought Caterpillar batteries, from memory the price was about $150 each.
Unfortunately the search function in Seabreeze won't go back more than 12 months so I can't find it at the moment.
It was me loose change as I work there
Select to expand quoteandy59 said...
Wow that's good value Uncle Bob
Also those ex telstra batteries sound like amazing value sctpc
Thanks for the input
The only thing is I am convinced I need a totally sealed battery in case I end up upside down at some point
I was offered 4 100amp hour discovery gel batteries for $1100 this morning at a local battery shop which sounds pretty good ??
there pretty good batteries to use
I looked at lithium batteries the other day $3000 400 amp hour far too much for my budget
Lots of cruisers out there seem to like the golf cart batteries
I've been meaning to look in to price and availability our floor scubbers at work use the golf cart batteries and get a flogging
Youngsters to lazy to plug them in when there finished using them
The battery charge level on those is
All over the place but they keep working and seem to last for years
G'day
When I was installing Solar systems I did some Houseboats and used Trojan T105's after 8 years they still Ok.
Just need to be careful not discharge them too deep.
Cheers
Select to expand quoteHG02 said..LooseChange said...
There was a thread here quite some time ago where one of the Seabreezers bought Caterpillar batteries, from memory the price was about $150 each.
Unfortunately the search function in Seabreeze won't go back more than 12 months so I can't find it at the moment.
It was me loose change as I work there
hi HG, I don't think it was you, as I said it was over 12 months ago and I seem to think the person involved came from WA.
Select to expand quoteandy59 said..
I need to replace my house batteries and was convinced I needed deep cycle AGMs plus a top quality charger. Lifelines come in at 600 per 105 amp hour so not much change out of $2K for plus a charger which would start at $600.
I was in a well known chandlery where a really helpful worker told me many of his live aboard mates are now using good quality VLRA car batteries because they:
1. are substantially cheaper
2. are not as prone to damage from less than ideal charging conditions
3. Don't need separate charging regimes for house and starting batteries. (added cost and complications of expensive chargers and dual systems)
4. In practise often last as long or longer (if you don't discharge them too deeply) than deep cycles because they don't get damaged as easily.
Even if I had less capacity and shorter life it still sounds like a convincing argument. The idea of a robust, simple system has great appeal and the cost savings are very persuasive.
Any thoughts?
I with you when it comes to getting totally sealed (VLRA) batteries. The last thing you need on board is batteries that vent hydrogen.
As for me, I'm just using Ultimate UL100 100Ah AGM batteries for both my 4 house batteries as well as my starter battery, purchased from Battery World.
Select to expand quotescruzin said..andy59 said..
I need to replace my house batteries and was convinced I needed deep cycle AGMs plus a top quality charger. Lifelines come in at 600 per 105 amp hour so not much change out of $2K for plus a charger which would start at $600.
I was in a well known chandlery where a really helpful worker told me many of his live aboard mates are now using good quality VLRA car batteries because they:
1. are substantially cheaper
2. are not as prone to damage from less than ideal charging conditions
3. Don't need separate charging regimes for house and starting batteries. (added cost and complications of expensive chargers and dual systems)
4. In practise often last as long or longer (if you don't discharge them too deeply) than deep cycles because they don't get damaged as easily.
Even if I had less capacity and shorter life it still sounds like a convincing argument. The idea of a robust, simple system has great appeal and the cost savings are very persuasive.
Any thoughts?
I with you when it comes to getting totally sealed (VLRA) batteries. The last thing you need on board is batteries that vent hydrogen.
As for me, I'm just using Ultimate UL100 100Ah AGM batteries for both my 4 house batteries as well as my starter battery, purchased from Battery World.
Do you remember how much you paid scruzin?
Select to expand quoteandy59 said..scruzin said..andy59 said..
I need to replace my house batteries and was convinced I needed deep cycle AGMs plus a top quality charger. Lifelines come in at 600 per 105 amp hour so not much change out of $2K for plus a charger which would start at $600.
I was in a well known chandlery where a really helpful worker told me many of his live aboard mates are now using good quality VLRA car batteries because they:
1. are substantially cheaper
2. are not as prone to damage from less than ideal charging conditions
3. Don't need separate charging regimes for house and starting batteries. (added cost and complications of expensive chargers and dual systems)
4. In practise often last as long or longer (if you don't discharge them too deeply) than deep cycles because they don't get damaged as easily.
Even if I had less capacity and shorter life it still sounds like a convincing argument. The idea of a robust, simple system has great appeal and the cost savings are very persuasive.
Any thoughts?
I with you when it comes to getting totally sealed (VLRA) batteries. The last thing you need on board is batteries that vent hydrogen.
As for me, I'm just using Ultimate UL100 100Ah AGM batteries for both my 4 house batteries as well as my starter battery, purchased from Battery World.
Do you remember how much you paid scruzin?
I paid $1,300 for 4. That was over a year ago. YMMV :-)
I bought two 105ah AGM batteries on ebay for about $550 delivered to my place. They have been very good.
Going to Lord Howe we ran them down a bit with the fridge, lights, electric toilet, instruments etc. They recharged quickly and haven't been a problem.
Select to expand quotescruzin said..andy59 said..scruzin said..andy59 said..
I need to replace my house batteries and was convinced I needed deep cycle AGMs plus a top quality charger. Lifelines come in at 600 per 105 amp hour so not much change out of $2K for plus a charger which would start at $600.
I was in a well known chandlery where a really helpful worker told me many of his live aboard mates are now using good quality VLRA car batteries because they:
1. are substantially cheaper
2. are not as prone to damage from less than ideal charging conditions
3. Don't need separate charging regimes for house and starting batteries. (added cost and complications of expensive chargers and dual systems)
4. In practise often last as long or longer (if you don't discharge them too deeply) than deep cycles because they don't get damaged as easily.
Even if I had less capacity and shorter life it still sounds like a convincing argument. The idea of a robust, simple system has great appeal and the cost savings are very persuasive.
Any thoughts?
I with you when it comes to getting totally sealed (VLRA) batteries. The last thing you need on board is batteries that vent hydrogen.
As for me, I'm just using Ultimate UL100 100Ah AGM batteries for both my 4 house batteries as well as my starter battery, purchased from Battery World.
Do you remember how much you paid scruzin?
I paid $1,300 for 4. That was over a year ago. YMMV :-)
what does VLRA stand for ?
and if these batts are fully sealed , do they react badly to over charging ? ie explode ?
i know the new chargers are good but where does the excess gas go if the unit is totally sealed ?
Wanted to ask as I will need more batteries when I'm finished. How many amp hours would you need cruising Ive been thinking around 400 amp hours should do
for house batteries if I watch what I'm doing
Select to expand quoteHG02 said..
Wanted to ask as I will need more batteries when I'm finished. How many amp hours would you need cruising Ive been thinking around 400 amp hours should do
for house batteries if I watch what I'm doing
I agree I think 400 amp hours is enough
S and S I had to google it too.
I replaced my bank of 300ah of lifelines with 260 ah of Lithium LiFePo batteries.
The lithiums are lighter, smaller, have more useable AH per cycle and more total cycles, less voltage drop, quicker recharge and are probably cheaper when a whole of life costing is properly carried out.
Best thing I ever did as far as batteries are concerned, but maybe not for everyone.
LIbran is probably right with the lithium batteries but I just bought 4 100 amp hour AGM Discovery batteries at $275 each which I thought was the best deal for me
Just had a thought I wonder if you could use batteries out of a Toyota Hybrid from a wreckers Ill check it out tomorrow
Select to expand quoteHG02 said..
Just had a thought I wonder if you could use batteries out of a Toyota Hybrid from a wreckers Ill check it out tomorrow
I got a email back from one wrecker $1000 negotiable I still have not had time to see what there made of but I dont think there lithuim but Toyota recycle them
Don't even know the Capacity yet Ill check it out over the weekend
I have heard they can be bought for $700 + or - $100
Select to expand quoteHG02 said..HG02 said..
Just had a thought I wonder if you could use batteries out of a Toyota Hybrid from a wreckers Ill check it out tomorrow
I got a email back from one wrecker $1000 negotiable I still have not had time to see what there made of but I dont think there lithuim but Toyota recycle them
Don't even know the Capacity yet Ill check it out over the weekend
I have heard they can be bought for $700 + or - $100
do we know the dimensions yet or do i have to go-ogle it ?
early Prius batteries were about 270 volts ... current ones are about 200 volts .....they all require the special Prius computer controlled charger
Select to expand quoteandy59 said..
I need to replace my house batteries and was convinced I needed deep cycle AGMs plus a top quality charger. Lifelines come in at 600 per 105 amp hour so not much change out of $2K for plus a charger which would start at $600.
I was in a well known chandlery where a really helpful worker told me many of his live aboard mates are now using good quality VLRA car batteries because they:
1. are substantially cheaper
2. are not as prone to damage from less than ideal charging conditions
3. Don't need separate charging regimes for house and starting batteries. (added cost and complications of expensive chargers and dual systems)
4. In practise often last as long or longer (if you don't discharge them too deeply) than deep cycles because they don't get damaged as easily.
Even if I had less capacity and shorter life it still sounds like a convincing argument. The idea of a robust, simple system has great appeal and the cost savings are very persuasive.
Any thoughts?
Using a battery pack from a hybrid car is a great idea. You just need to disassemble the battery pack and rewire the individual cells in Parallel to give 4 packs at 3volts nom and then wire these in series to give a total of 12volt nominal (actually about 13 to 14 volts ). A lithium pack would be superior to a Ni metal battery as they are probably safer from a thermal runaway problem.
I just installed 2 set of Century Battery - Marine Pro, MP730, 730CCA from BCF
deep cycle 100 A available.......believe they not true deep cycle just more resilient for discharge
Guess design to withstand saling conditions.
Allready tested with 80W solar as the only charge available.
Very happy with them.
Not sure what would justify to spend triple amount of money for true deep cycle bat.
if only advantage is deeper discharge / most charges don't like it anyway / .
Lithium batteries are af course superior compare to lead acid, I have some, they can supply
30 times rated current without damage.
They are strict rules charging and discharging.
Each cell / regardless/ how many are paraller must be charged individually to max 4.1 Volts
and temperature must be monitored too.
Discharge limitation af course apply too.
Watch which ones you playing with LiPo - LiFe - Li Ion, they not identical.
