Batteries

[Snow Goose]

Hi folks
I did all maintenance on the boat prior to launch, including charging the batteries about 3 weeks ago. I launched yesterday and now it will not start. When I checked the voltage it was 10.60 The batteries were new with the boat in 2001.
How long would be normal for a battery to last being used moderately for 4 months a year?
Thanks for any info.
Rick

[Ormonddude]

It all depends on Maintenance Take them out and put them on a float charger in the off season - 12 year old batteries are to be expected dead but with proper maintenance you can expect 3-5 years with some exceptions there are Heavy Duty storage batteries that can last a very long time but are pretty pricey and are not for Engine starting. Basically batteries and the use of them is a science onto to its own and you will have to learn about them. There are a great many posts on the subject so you may as well get reading. Good Luck

[Tomfoolery]

2001? They should have been retired half a decade ago.

It does show you how little it takes to start the outboards these boats use, though. And for that reason, you don't need an actual engine starting battery to start the engine. Deep-cycle batteries will start them easily, and you'll get more use out of your battery dollar, and the weight they contribute, using all deep-cycle. I use two, and alternate between them with an A/B/All/Off switch, which is the simplest method but the one most prone to screw-ups if you don't pay attention to what you're doing.

There are other ways, including echo chargers and such, but I'm happy with how mine is, so I'm not changing it. I also use a 2-channel 10A charger for shore power, in case I need it, but the outboard has never had a problem keeping the batts up.

But for reference, I don't overnight on the hook and such, so my battery needs are puny compared to those here who live off the batteries. Judge my methods in that light.

[windypatrick]

3 years in Arizona is the limit of trust (standard lead acid). After that you are on borrowed time.

With the new Optima's I'll advise when I know

It is the same for trailer tires BTW (in AZ).

[dlandersson]

Battery Minder and Battery Tender will maintain your batteries - or tell you when they are past maintenance.

Hi folks
I did all maintenance on the boat prior to launch, including charging the batteries about 3 weeks ago. I launched yesterday and now it will not start. When I checked the voltage it was 10.60 The batteries were new with the boat in 2001.
How long would be normal for a battery to last being used moderately for 4 months a year?
Thanks for any info.
Rick

[Boblee]

I concur with most above, you have got a pretty good life out of your batteries, at 10.6 v it appears as if one cell is probably down.
If batteries aren't kept in optimum charge you cannot expect to get a long life and if storing even the agm and calcium etc batteries should be at full charge but lead acid need to be topped up at least once a month or preferably left on trickle charge.
Just checked mine the other day and both came back with the c-tek charger but am going to buy two new ones to take away this year as the original is 2006, will be putting a deep cycle calcium in as a spare house battery but will isolate it when not being charged.

[kmclemore]

Battery Minder and Battery Tender will maintain your batteries - or tell you when they are past maintenance.

Very true, but you MUST be mindful of the water level in the batteries when leaving them on a trickle charger. Check your batteries at LEAST monthly - preferably every two weeks - because the water level will drop more (and faster) than you think it would.

[Boblee]

My original is a sealed battery but other than the name centenial couldn't find out much about it.

[grady]

2001 I would call the manufacturer and see if you can get some warranty concederation.

True "Trickle" chargers can be damaging on batteries if left for long periods of time. What you want is a "Float" charger that is designed for the type of battery you have, Flooded, Gell, AGM. Also temperature compensated chargers are even better. If you do not have a good charger then just make sure they are fully charged and then disconnected so there is no parasitic load on them. Check the OCV once a month to make sure they are staying charged. A good battery can sit for 4 months disconnected with no problems.

[Catigale]

Maybe Boeing can use that 2001 for updating their plastic plane with batteries that last...and dont catch on fire..

[Highlander]

Maybe Boeing can use that 2001 for updating their plastic plane with batteries that last...and dont catch on fire..

Well better they catch fire than go Ka Boom !!! just saying u can fight a fire but not much chance of catching or re-fitting a fallen wing while spirrowing down sharply @ 35.000ft

J
PS U could always just walk on in ur own jump suite & glider kit with glancing eyes no doubt !!

[Mac26Mpaul]

Wow, thats a long time for a deep cycle battery to last. I'd think 3 or 4 years replacement intervals is entirely acceptable.

My batteries have been slowly dying and last week I decided to retire them. My supplier was stumped because the "Century battery" had "Made in China" stamped on it, and Century batteries here are "Made in Australia". Also the model number did not show up in the Century peoples books. Of course, when I rang him back and explained that it was from an American boat, he understood. The battery it seems was installed at the Factory in 2007. THe other was dated 2008. I was quite impressed they lasted that long

I believe its not generally considered the best way to do it to get a long battery life, but my batteries were in parallel. I'v just picked up 2 x 75ah deep cycles Centurys, and reckon I'll just throw em back in that way.

[Tomfoolery]

I believe its not generally considered the best way to do it to get a long battery life, but my batteries were in parallel. I'v just picked up 2 x 75ah deep cycles Centurys, and reckon I'll just throw em back in that way.

I thought it was the opposite - in parallel, for a given amount of usage, they'll cycle less deeply, and therefore will be able to tolerate more cycles, but more than twice as many, so overall life is increased.

But I could be wrong about that. I'll see what I can find.

[bartmac]

Batteries...........are not all the same...many a good battery has been cooked by well meaning folk leaving a old time big charger or for that matter even a small one on way too long....voltage just continues to rise until they gas...and dependent on what type just keep gassing until they are dry!!!
Until a decade or so ago most batteries were just lead/ acid and had the ability to be refilled with water...now AGM,GEL,VRLA etc etc ALL HAVE SPECIFIC CHARGING REGIMES and unless you heed those you will pay dearly.We have GELTECH batteries on our 26X and have solar panel with a controller programmable to suit the battery type.Also bear in mind not using your battery leads to sulphation so a charger which has a Float function is best.Another NO NO is the linking of different (age type size etc) batteries in the same circuit...probably best explained as the charger pampering to the lowest/highest/average condition of the batteries and most certainly not suit all the batteries in the circuit.The biggest problem with battery banks in both boats and motorhomes or for that matter home lighting plants is the difficulty in quantifying the actual condition/capacity of the batteries (voltage is not a adequate measure)...many a time sitting around the camp fire/anchorage and experts tell you how good their throw together 12v system is until a few days of no sunshine or access to mains etc and realise their fridge is no longer cold!!
Automotive batteries are not the answer if you are going to use power for anything other than the barest of minimum lights etc....you only have to look at the design principles for this type...massive load for a very short period ie starter motor and then a nice regulated alternator does all the work in the car....the battery just sits there and does nothing...fully charged within the first minutes of use.One thing though our outboards only use a fraction of the power required in cars and thus the use of non cranking battery of a sufficient size appears to be the answer...and will probably have some deep cycle ability

[Boblee]

My old original battery is a sealed Centenial but because I disconnect when not being used and can charge seperately the house battery is just a cheap sealed deep cycle battery and they both are going strong because they have been kept fully charged their whole life except for two occasions when the boat was out of my care and frankly I thought that would have been the end of it but think the solar regulator and C-tek charger has a bit to do with them lasting.
Just bought two of these http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/4WDEXTREME-1 ... 717wt_1006 one as an extra house battery in the boat and one for the truck with 100ah and 800cc they should be ideal for both and being agm calcium they charge quickly but again have to be careful how they are charged and used being the same physical size as the n70 makes them pretty versatile especially if the existing boat batteries fail and after 7 years that shouldn't be far away?