What type of battery? More.

Bene505 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-07-2008

Here's a picture of my "battery bilge", for lack of a better term. I think that the house batteries (at top) are Gel Cells. Do you agree?

See an enlarged picture here.

Fun twist - If this was your boat, what would you do here? What's needed?

Can I buy another battery (or two) to fit in the space, or do I have to scrap the existing ones and replace them all at the same time?

tommays · #2 (**permalink**) 11-07-2008

From the picture your battery cables look in rough shape with very dirty connections at best

If the small battery is you statting battery it looks rough and really needs to be in the correct size case to keep it safely in place in bad weather

As far as the house batterys it really depends on what level of charge they will take and how many amp hours they deliever NOW compared to what they should

donradclife · #3 (**permalink**) 11-07-2008

So what don't you like about your batteries??

Note that you have battery height limitations-the existing house bank looks like 4D or 8D gels, and you probably don't have vertical room for golf-cart style wet cells.

Bene505 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-07-2008

I like the batteries. They meet my needs pretty well, only getting run down after a few days of being on the boat with my wife and 4 kids.

There is a lot of space for another battery, maybe even two. So if I can simply add another battery, that would be easy. But I worry that I'll have mis-matched batteries. This may not be a concern since they'll be in paraller, not in series.

There's no tops to the battery cases, something that I wonder if I need to address. There's not a lot of clearance for tops, so I'm thinking this is what the designers wanted. Still, it weems at odds to what I've heard.

camaraderie · #5 (**permalink**) 11-07-2008

I agree that first step is cleaning up the cables and terminations. Next you need to secure them in place properly. Standards call for tops but failing that get some strapping that will hold them in place no matter what.

Your main bank could be gels or AGM's. You really need the info off the labels to tell but it looks like they are 8d's which gives you around 400-450 amp hours or 200 amp hours of use before needing a recharge. I would not do anything with them until they begin to fail on you. New ones will run around $600 EACH.

If your starter battery goes... you might consider replacing it with the same size battery you use for the house...giving you a 650 amp house bank and still plenty of starting power when you combine your 2 banks. Looks like you may even have room their for a fourth battery which would give you a 500 amp hours use before recharging system...but you'd need a large at the dock charger to keep that topped up.

If the system is meeting your present needs there is no reason to upgrade at least until something fails...but cleaning it up and securing them is of importance.

Bene505 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-07-2008

Thanks Cam. Seems like another winter project.

One other thing, the feed line from the solar panel goes through a diode and into the house battery. I'm planning to add a second diode in parallel, connected to the starting battery.

Cerveza · #7 (**permalink**) 11-08-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bene505

One other thing, the feed line from the solar panel goes through a diode and into the house battery. I'm planning to add a second diode in parallel, connected to the starting battery.

You don't have a regulator between the solar panel and the battery?

Have you ever monitored the battery/charging voltage on a sunny day?

sailingdog · #8 (**permalink**) 11-08-2008

Using an unregulated solar panel on GEL or AGM batteries can be a really good way to fry them. Many solar panels will put out 17-18 VDC on a good bright sunny day...

Can't say whether the batteries are AGM or GEL from the information and photos provided. You do need to have lids and straps for the battery boxes IMHO... cleaning up the terminals is also necessary. Be aware that you do need to have something securing the batteries and protecting the terminals from accidental shorting... which can cause a fire and do other really bad things to your boat.

camaraderie · #9 (**permalink**) 11-08-2008

Bene...what kind of panel do you have? Cerveza is correct...any panel with a full sunlight output of over 14.5 volts could damage your expensive batts and needs regulation. Usually once you get bigger than the tirckle charger type panels...this is an issue. 20watt kyoceras have a 16.9V output!!

btrayfors · #10 (**permalink**) 11-08-2008

Bene505,

Your profile says you are an "Electrical Engineer now pushing paper ". IMHO, you've been pushing paper too long :-)

No offense intended, but based on the photos you've posted I would be reluctant to have my family aboard until these items are corrected. The wiring and connections need attention NOW.

I wouldn't worry about additional battery power or other things until the wiring problems are corrected and you can start then with some semblance of a "clean plate" to evaluate your electrical needs.

I mean this in a friendly way and, BTW, deal with this stuff aboard boats every day -- which is why I feel the urgency. Have seen way too many disasters happen due to neglected and incorrect wiring.

Bill