Battery group 24? 27? deep cell?

[DaveB]

Here is another advice, go to a auto marine store and ask for the 32 oz acid you need for filling wet cells (thay have it in the back room). Costs $3.25 and much better than useing Distilled water.
Dave

I agree with DaveB. Spending a lot of money on batteries is a waste. I have a 20 watt solar panel with a charge controller maintaining the one lead/acid battery in my Mac25. I took that battery out of an RV I had. It's about five years old. When I was an electrical apprentice at Newport News Shipbuilding, we studied battery construction and maintenance. Keeping them at full charge as much as possible and always using only distilled water in them is necessary. Any contaminates, even minerals in the water will greatly reduce the life of a battery. At NNS, there was a large battery bank that was used for starting the shore power generators. The batteries in that bank were installed in the 40's and where still working fine in the 70's when I was there. The phone companies use large banks of batteries for the 48 volts that the phone lines run on. Those banks last decades. Even cheap consumer batteries should last five years or more with proper care.

[Hardcrab]

DaveB,
I was under the impression that only the water evaporates out of the sulfuric acid/water mixture, while the sulfuric acid gets absorbed into the plates as the battery discharges.
Therefore, water is the only component needing replenishment to return to the correct mixture.

It would seem if you added more electrolyte to refill, the mixture would become out of spec?

Just a guess on my part, but I've never seen or heard anyone suggesting to replenish with anything but distilled water.

And then, only after a full recharge cycle.

I have heard of the technique of dumping all of the electrolyte, (along with any contaminates floating around), and refilling with fresh electrolyte as a method of bringing back an older, marginal battery.
I've never done it, but it seems a reasonable and cheap attempt to delay expensive replacment for awhile.
If it doesn't work, you're only out the $3.25 you mentioned.

[tangentair]

I believe that you both are right, for the most part add distilled water but since some acid vapor is expelled adding some electrolite occassional helps.

Remember it is the acid vapors that "eat" the metal and other suspectable materials not the water.

[Hamin' X]

On adding adcid to batteries, This from Trojan Battery Company:

Do you ever add acid to a battery? Under normal operating conditions, you never need to add acid. Only distilled, deionized or approved water should be added to achieve the recommended levels mentioned above. When a battery is shipped in a dry state or accidental spillage occurs, electrolyte should be added to the battery. Once filled, a battery should only need periodic water addition.

~Rich

[DaveB]

Distilled water is good to use in most cases but if you are drawing deep cycle batteries down to 60-50% compacity often than use the acid to prevent Sulficateing lead in batteries.
It all depends on how much you use the boat and electrical demands.
Adding acid does not hurt the batteries and much better than distilled water on higher elect. demands. Much higher demands not usually found on these boats ...use both and more acid on a ageing battery.
Problem is ..to many sailors are running there elect. equipment without enough amp hr batteries and running them below 50% compacity will case more damage to batteries shorting there lives dramaticaly.
Bottom Line.
Many don't ck the fluid in these batteries and with added acid will prolong their life and water evaperation.
Dave

[Kelly Hanson East]

I was just reviewing my fleet of cars and battery life - Ive just replaced my battery on my second VW - each battery lasted 7 1/2 years in service here in the Northeast. The engine compartments on both of these vehicles are tight so I used OEM batteries which cost about 50% more than the Walmart generic equivalent.

The Admirals Volvo battery (OEM) also lasted 7 years, but the Wally replacement lasted 3 - was 1/3 cheaper.

It looks like the OEMs are a better long term value for a car you will keep - especially since the money saved on the cheaper one would have been lost to Bernie Madoff anyway.

[delevi]

My original OEM battery lasted less than a year. Junk! I have 2 group 24 batteries 80 amp/hrs each (deep cycle) purchased from Kragen for less than $100 ea. On a single battery, I can run all day 8-10 hours with GPS, Autopilot, refrigerator, wind instrument, depth/knot meter before the battery gets tired. If I don't run the fridge, I can go 3 times as long. If you have a marina slip or power outlet at your dry storage, a dual battery charger will make your life much happier and will also extend the life of the batteries. Once close to full charge, the charger goes to trickle charge/conditioning mode which is supposed to be good for the batteries. Plus, every time you head out, you'll know that both batteries are fully charged. Works for me.

[moondancer]

Hi all. As Hardcrab stated you can add new life to old batteries. I have refurbished 2 old batteries by draining electrolyte and spraying hose pressure water into each cell to flush bottom of plates with the battery upended. Caution old clothes, eye protection a must, perferably a full face shield. Drops of acid are going to be flying. I have gotten a "dead" cell to revive, I was told by the old shade tree mechanic that debris shorts out the plates at the bottom and draining and flushing clear some of that out. Both batteries where doing fine when the motorcycle went to another owner 2 years later and car went away after 3 years. Acid is an environmental hazard so proper disposal and handling needed. Being older and not living on that shoestring anymore, now it is a bootlace, I would likely opt for a new replacement battery. Less chance of failure. Moondancer

[FLembo18]

I'm thinking about getting 2 of this model battery from Sears. It didn't show the dimensions, so I'll have to call Sears and get that info.
Any comments ?? http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1260 ... +Batteries

[c130king]

Product Overview:
Item Weight: 53.0 lbs.
Battery Type:
Transportation Type: Marine and recreational vehicle
Battery Group Size: 34M
Temperate Zone: North or South
Power Configuration:
Voltage: 12.0
Power Ratings:
Cold Cranking Amps (CCA at 0 deg.F): 880
Reserve Capacity (RC): 135 min.
Amp Hours at 20 Hour Rate: 68
Design & Construction:
Container Material: Polycarbonate/polyester
Warranties & Coverage:
Months in Use Free Replacement: 36
Dimensions:
Height: 7-9/10 in.
Width: 6-4/5 in.
Length: 10-9/10 in.

Click on "Product Description" on that Sears webpage.

Good Luck,
Jim

[raycarlson]

I personally have never had a wet cell go bad in less than 5 years(on a boat).But the wonderful thing about the Walmart batterys is their 3 yr no question asked full refund on any of the 75.00 battery's(24,27,29 all the same price).I'm sure any of us could think of a way to induce total failure of a battery at about 2yrs and 11months into the warranty period.The sales associate at the counter knows nothing about batteries, other then how to load test (Twice I have had them not even test the battery,they just told me to grab a new one(car battery).If your battery somehow can't pass the load test,grab a brand new one off the shelf and your on your way out the door with another three year warranteed battery.

[Paul S]

I personally have never had a wet cell go bad in less than 5 years(on a boat).But the wonderful thing about the Walmart batterys is their 3 yr no question asked full refund on any of the 75.00 battery's(24,27,29 all the same price).I'm sure any of us could think of a way to induce total failure of a battery at about 2yrs and 11months into the warranty period.The sales associate at the counter knows nothing about batteries, other then how to load test (Twice I have had them not even test the battery,they just told me to grab a new one(car battery).If your battery somehow can't pass the load test,grab a brand new one off the shelf and your on your way out the door with another three year warranteed battery.

Of course another option is go over the top and get something like a Rolls marine battery. Maybe $25-50 more than the Walmart battery, but build like a tank. Got 2 group 27 wet cells in my Mac, 7 years and as strong as the day I installed them.

I NEVER had any luck with sears marine batteries. No idea on the wallyworld ones. Have heard mixed reviews, but might be worth a shot.

[Kelly Hanson East]

One thing to add on all these pro-rated warranties - they almost always require your receipt, and of course thermal paper after 2-3 years is not legible, so remember to either copy or scan them in so you can recover them when needed...

Do they really reset the warranty on the replacement? Usually you get no extension, just the balance of the original warranty of course.

[Paul S]

One thing to add on all these pro-rated warranties - they almost always require your receipt, and of course thermal paper after 2-3 years is not legible, so remember to either copy or scan them in so you can recover them when needed...

Do they really reset the warranty on the replacement? Usually you get no extension, just the balance of the original warranty of course.

Usually (at sears, costco) when I have returned batteries under warranty, without a receipt, they go on the row month/year that the sales clerk (should have) scratched out on the battery itself (usually 2 rows, one for year, and one for month of purchase). If they didn't you can always scratch the latest and get more $ back

But yes, having a readable receipt is best.

When I have replaced batteries from Sears and Costco, the warranties do reset..at least they have for me when I did it. Not sure if it is policy or the clerks did it wrong. They just did a return of one and a new bill of sale for the new one.

I recently bought 2 batteries from autozone, not sure what their policy is

[uanhanlouee]

I would get a series 27 Truck & RV wally world battery and use this stuff below.

http://www.minnkotamotors.com/products/ ... liser.aspx

My WM batteries last 8 yrs when I put that stuff on them about 3 yrs down the line...