40 sedan bridge forum

Same here. Just replaced all four batteries in my boat with group 31 Duracell deep cycles from Sams. $99 each. At a marina I am plugged in. And I have a generator. So I really only need the deep so when I do long weekends on the hook. I expect to get 3 to 4 seasons out of these, at which time I will replace them. I can’t see a more expensive battery last thing any longer to make it worth the cost.
I just bought a group 31 AGM by Duracell from Sam's here is Nor Cal. It was $169 out the door! we probably pay some hidden climate change tax or something. Did you buy AGM or Lead acid?
 
I just bought a group 31 AGM by Duracell from Sam's here is Nor Cal. It was $169 out the door! we probably pay some hidden climate change tax or something. Did you buy AGM or Lead acid?

I got lead acid. I saw price for the AGM. But two things stopped me. One, there was no stock and I needed them immediately. Two, there’s a lot of talk on this forum about replacing the battery charger that came on the boat. I still have that original one. And since I didn’t know the original state of the batteries I was replacing, I bought cheap so that if there’s an issue with the charger, I don’t cook expensive batteries. Once I confirm my charger is ok (and I do believe it is) I may go to AGM.

Or maybe not. The $70 more per battery is $280 more than I paid (4 batteries). That’s almost 3 extra batteries worth! So unless I can be assured of getting almost 2x the life from AGM’s vs lead acid, I’ll stick with lead acid. Despite all the great things I’ve heard about AGM, I’ve never heard anyone claim that the technology delivers 2x the life.
 
I am getting close to new battery time. I have just had group 27 dual purpose wet cell batteries. Due to some fellow boater experiences I have lost confidence in AGM batteries based on the way I boat. Plus my wet cells have worked out just fine for five years. So I plan to get group 31 wet cell. But I am not sure dual purpose is really needed to start engines and run the house 12v. I am considering going with deep cycle, figuring they will start the Cummins engines just fine and be the best wet cell option for the house systems. Has anyone done this and how did it go?
Bill, my boat is configured with two deep cycle Group 31 on the house side, two dual purpose Group 31 on the Stbd side and two Group 31 for the 24v bow thruster. I almost always use the cross-over to start (which I read about here on the forum) and had absolutely no problems starting, even after 30hrs on the hook. When I just use the respective starter (no cross-over) it also cranks the engines just fine, irrespective of which bank is used.

I had a similar set-up in my previous 340 with two deep cycle Group 31 having duty for starting a 8.1 MerCruiser, house and generator - never had any problems (and no cross-over used!).

Future plans are to look into what is required to separate off the Generator for its own start battery and adding a couple more deep cycle on the house side (we like to anchor out).

I don't think you will have any trouble with the deep-cycle batteries for starting.
 
Thanks for all the inputs. As I mentioned I have four dual purpose group 27 wet cell. The starboard/house are still going strong. The two port have faded enough that hey won't start the engine on their own. So what I decided to do is remove the two port batteries and move the two starboard to port. Then buy two group 31 deep cycle wet cell for the starboard/house. When the port fail I'll then put the same group 31 deep cycle wet cell there.
 
I got lead acid. I saw price for the AGM. But two things stopped me. One, there was no stock and I needed them immediately. Two, there’s a lot of talk on this forum about replacing the battery charger that came on the boat. I still have that original one. And since I didn’t know the original state of the batteries I was replacing, I bought cheap so that if there’s an issue with the charger, I don’t cook expensive batteries. Once I confirm my charger is ok (and I do believe it is) I may go to AGM.

Or maybe not. The $70 more per battery is $280 more than I paid (4 batteries). That’s almost 3 extra batteries worth! So unless I can be assured of getting almost 2x the life from AGM’s vs lead acid, I’ll stick with lead acid. Despite all the great things I’ve heard about AGM, I’ve never heard anyone claim that the technology delivers 2x the life.

I'm in the same club regarding batteries and my original charger. I typically buy dual-purpose "marine" batteries from Walmart or Autozone, which I believe are both manufactured by Johnson Controls. They work flawlessly for 4-5 years and get replaced. With that said, I don't spend extended time on the hook.
 
Hey everyone, speaking of batteries, I want to move my 2 batteries for the bow thrusters out of the engine room and possibly put them in the area where the bow thruster is. Not sure if there is room. Has anyone else done this? Thanks in advance, Greg
 
Hey all,
Have any of you ordered a fake wood trim piece for this area when you installed a new MFD?
If so what was it called, I think I prefer to order one over a piece I need to craft to fit the hole. My skills are more suited for wiring and technical than finish type aesthetically pleasing stuff. LOL
PS Also I know flounder pounder and some sites have these, Was trying to find the part number or item if it is made. TIA!~


IMG_7988.jpg
IMG_7989.jpg
 
Last edited:
Hey all,
Have any of you ordered a fake wood trim piece for this area when you installed a new MFD?
If so what was it called, I think I prefer to order one over a piece I need to craft to fit the hole. My skills are more suited for wiring and technical than finish type aesthetically pleasing stuff. LOL
PS Also I know flounder pounder and some sites have these, Was trying to find the part number or item if it is made. TIA!~


View attachment 79107 View attachment 79108

I believe this is the panel:

https://www.searay-parts.com/Sea-ray-dash-instrument-panel-p/fp-panel-1-5-sf380410da.htm
 
Hey all,
Have any of you ordered a fake wood trim piece for this area when you installed a new MFD?
If so what was it called, I think I prefer to order one over a piece I need to craft to fit the hole. My skills are more suited for wiring and technical than finish type aesthetically pleasing stuff. LOL
PS Also I know flounder pounder and some sites have these, Was trying to find the part number or item if it is made. TIA!~


View attachment 79107 View attachment 79108
I had flounder pounder make mine with the cutout for the New Garmin I installed!! They rock! it was shipped to me in MA in like 2 days for $131 plus they did the cutout for 35 bucks. I e-mailed them everything and worth every penny. the link for the exact panel is https://www.searay-parts.com/Sea-ray-dash-instrument-panel-p/fp-panel-1-5-sf380410da.htm
and attached is how it came out when I installed it. it was a PERFECT~! match...
20190412_145647.jpg
 
Hi guys
If anyone is on their boat over the next while, I’d appreciate getting the dimensions of the mattress in the master as well as the twins in the second stateroom. I’d like to get foam toppers for them but I’m in Canada and my boat is wrapped for the winter. I know the mattress in the master flares out a bit but the measurement at the widest part would be great. 2002 400DB. Thanks
Sorry for the late response. Mine came with an upgraded HMC split bed but still needed a topper. Added 4" memory foam for everything. bought 1 king for the second stateroom and cut down to all three sizes. One queen for the Master and cut to size.
 
I had flounder pounder make mine with the cutout for the New Garmin I installed!! They rock! it was shipped to me in MA in like 2 days for $131 plus they did the cutout for 35 bucks. I e-mailed them everything and worth every penny. the link for the exact panel is https://www.searay-parts.com/Sea-ray-dash-instrument-panel-p/fp-panel-1-5-sf380410da.htm
and attached is how it came out when I installed it. it was a PERFECT~! match...View attachment 79143

Thanks. Looks greet. I’ll do that. It does seem well worth it.
Also I thought I’ve seen your name before when all the Sea Ray owners on FB were pouring bad info regarding the water in the galley floor not related to the sump pump. lol
 
Battery charging issues.

For those with aging vessels, I wanted to mention that about a year ago I replaced the original ProMariner charger that came from the factory. My first indication of an issue was when a battery exploded. Then, I started going through batteries each year and was constantly having to add fluids. Turned out the charger was frying the batteries.

I personally chose the ProNautic 12-60 as a replacement. I haven’t had any issues since. I am posting this as a word of precaution to those with original equipment battery chargers that are aging. It is a relatively inexpensive item to replace and something that is constantly left operating unattended on the boat. Please don’t chance it and consider taking the safe route of updating this piece of equipment as soon as you can.

I got a smoking deal on a ProNautic 1260 and am planning on replacing my old ProMariner Pro 40 this spring.

My boat has the isolator but does not appear to have any inline fuses between the charger and batteries? I do not have a copy of the DC wiring schematic for the 1998 model year.

My boat is on the hard, I have not had a chance to go aboard and look around.

Can anyone add input on this?

Thanks in advance!
 
Last edited:
Hi guys
If anyone is
Hi guys
If anyone is on their boat over the next while, I’d appreciate getting the dimensions of the mattress in the master as well as the twins in the second stateroom. I’d like to get foam toppers for them but I’m in Canada and my boat is wrapped for the winter. I know the mattress in the master flares out a bit but the measurement at the widest part would be great. 2002 400DB. Thanks


I may be able to help if you're interested in replacing with a true quality mattress.
 
I may be able to help if you're interested in replacing with a true quality mattress.
I may be...we bought the boat in November and it was hauled and wrapped the following week. We haven't even had the chance to sleep aboard yet. I figure I'll start with mattress toppers in the spring, see how we like the existing setup and if we don't, we start looking at options for new mattresses.
 
I may be...we bought the boat in November and it was hauled and wrapped the following week. We haven't even had the chance to sleep aboard yet. I figure I'll start with mattress toppers in the spring, see how we like the existing setup and if we don't, we start looking at options for new mattresses.

mattress toppers over the original mattress will be an exercise in frustration. Ask me how I know! We just invested in a new queen mattress. I think it’s 8” foam. We will cut it to size once spring arrives. I expect it to be head and shoulders above any topper we tried. And far less costly than a custom boat mattress.
 
We have a topper and it is ok but constantly shifting towards the foot of the bed. One more project someday to update with a better mattress. I hope we change boats before we make that investment though. I really want a walk around bed in a midship full beam cabin!
 
I got a smoking deal on a ProNautic 1260 and am planning on replacing my old ProMariner Pro 40 this spring.

My boat has the isolator but does not appear to have any inline fuses between the charger and batteries? I do not have a copy of the DC wiring schematic for the 1998 model year.

My boat is on the hard, I have not had a chance to go aboard and look around.

Can anyone add input on this?

Thanks in advance!
For the 400DA there are three 50 amp circuit breakers located behind the battery master disconnect panel. Not a good access area; you might want to unscrew and pull that panel away and look behind - probably there. And, it's time to ditch the isolator and install an Automatic Charging Relay; get rid of that cross battery voltage drop.
IMG_3613.JPG
 
Last edited:
Traveler's insurance here. About 1500. Also keep in mind in New England she is considered on the hard Nov. Thru April. So that might make a difference... If you are in
Marion Talk to Paul M. Dixon Insurance in New Bedford. That's who got me this price.

I was able to get a quote of 1,800 for Chubb insurance, 1% deductible.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,950
Messages
1,422,861
Members
60,932
Latest member
juliediane
Back
Top