Battery (Odyssey) question no. 92,458

[Mary51]

I need to replace 2 Trojan 27TM flooded cell batteries in the next few months.

I've been looking at the PC 1400 Odyssey batteries, available in Group 25 and 35. Each would fit in my battery boxes. And that's the end of what I know. I do not want to change my alternator or charger right now . . .

My shore power charger is: 12 volt 10 amp surge rating 2 bank; 8 amp charge generating intermittent; 5 amps continuous output rating; 13.4 VDC float voltage; 12.0 VDC at 8 amps & 115 VAC line; intermittent rating: 20 minutes; max on time 50% duty cycle; Battery Type: 6 cell lead acid.

My alternator is stock for Volva Penta 2003B 30 hp. (Sorry, forgot to pull the info from the manuals when I was down at the boat). If the shore power charger info doesn't make it "game over" for the Odyssey, I'll get the alternator info.

Anybody? Anybody?

All input gratefully accepted!!

Mary

[camaraderie]

Forget about it Mary. A waste of $$ for you if you don't have or need a charging system that can take advantage of their characteristics. Get a couple of flooded 27's or cheaper agm's than the odysseys.
What prompted you to WANT the odysseys?

[Mary51]

Well, I figured it was not gonna work. I'll just get a couple more Group 27's.

Thanks!

Mary

[hellosailor]

Cam, what she has MIGHT work. If the shore charger is relatively low power (as it is) with a safe float voltage (13.4 usually is) then it probably would work with the AGMs.

Ditto the Volvo alternator with internal regulator: Not efficient, but probably clamped below 14.4 volts and most AGMs will be happy with that these days.

Most, might...these are not the best of criteria. But if the specs for the alternator and charger match the specs for the Odyssey charging, it could work. Not having to play with wet acid is a good thing. Obviously, adding an external regulator to the alternator, and really properly controlling the charging, would be better for any kind of battery.

But with the little information we have...it might just work, don't you think?

[camaraderie]

It wasn't so much that it wouldn't work HS...just that you pay a LOT for Odysseys because of their advantages in charging. If you have no ability to take advantage of that, why pay rolls royce prices?

[Mary51]

Thanks, Cam. I'll just put that on the upgrade list for later. My electrical system will always be simple, but an external regulator [I]could[I] happen. I will definitely be adding some solar and possibly wind generator power sources in a year of so and so best to do it all at once.

Mary

[hellosailor]

Mary-
Sorry to say, if you mix solar + wind + engine all on one boat, charging options became way more complex. Solar panels work best with an MPPT controller, but wind chargers use a "dump" regulator, and alternators use their own regulator which cuts back alternator field current. It can easily become a case of "too many cooks spoil the broth" as each of the devices sees voltage from some other device and then wrongly regulates itself thinking IT was the device providing power.

Over the next year, look carefully at your options, consider ways to use them separately (or at least, see how people are integrating them) because it seems like there is no "one ring to rule them all" on the market yet. And a pricey ring it may be, if it does happen.

[Mary51]

Thanks, Hellosailor. Having different regulators for different power sources wouldn't be too hard for me. I'm pretty methodical and use a checklist in situations where needed (always).

I am waiting for financial reasons, but also because the technology is constantly changing. I think I could function without a single control for the regulators, but am hoping the solar panels will be getting more bang for the buck (and square footage) if I wait a couple of years.

But the multiple regulators situation is new info to me and something I will keep in mind.

Mary