440EB Battery Configuration / Suggestions.

CaptMark

New Member
Feb 15, 2015
13
Marathon, Florida
Boat Info
1995 SeaRay 44' Express Bridge
2004 Sea Fox 230
Engines
Cat 3116
When I purchased my boat (Feb 2015), the broker had put four new batteries into the boat.

They are NAPA Marine Group 27M, 1050CA / 840CCA. I am now in need to replace them all and have a few questions. They are about $165 per battery.

First, I've been told that these are "starting" batteries because of the high cranking amperage. Other than my generator, I have no other batteries onboard, so I am assuming that these four serve dual purpose of both house and starting, but isolated port/starboard and controlled by the ON/OFF switches that I have under my salon steps.

On my previous boat I had both house and engine starting batteries and they were located in different areas of the boat and then I had two selector switches for 1 - 2 or All.


Question #1.. What is the factory configuration for the 440EB? Is having (4) Group 27M like I have the right configuration?

I assume that everyone has the same battery space on the 440EB, under the steps up to the bridge. So, space is also limited.

Question #2.. A lot of people have said to go AGM. Others have said the AGM cost 3x and don't last as long as a properly maintained lead acid.

I also belive that I need to change my factory charging system if I were to go AGM as well, so it goes from a $700 project to several thousand dollars between the AGM batteries and new charging system. Which I am not against if there is an positive advantage.

Multiple people has indicated that there is a major difference between starting batteries and deep cycle batteries. Should I have both?

I've been told Napa, Deka, Trojan, Interstate, and a few other brands...

If the thought is that I had a good run (Jan 2015 - Feb 2019) and that is about all I can expect from a battery fine. Or is the feeling that another brand other than the NAPA that I have could have lasted longer?

And finally.. I did VERY VERY little maintenance on these batteries. I think only once or twice I remembered to add water to them. So, them only lasting 4 years may also be my fault. Any thoughts on a battery watering systems?

So, kind of asking what other 440EB owers have to see what the best solution is..


Thanks in advance.
 
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I have the same boat, while not positive I believe they are group 27, installed new in fall of 2015. I have replaced one of them Jan 2018.

To be honest, I am not sure which bank powers what but I think half the 12v breakers are on one bank, half the other. We don’t spend any nights on the hook and usually run the genny to keep the ice frozen and top the batteries off. I added a dedicated agm and mastervolt 12/25/3 charger on the bridge that runs the stereo and amps, which was a good move.

I suggest topping off the water in your batteries at least spring, summer, fall. If you have the original promarine? Charger do yourself a big favor and replace it. I chose Mastervolt 12/50/3 for the main charger. They can handle any type of battery. I have had optimal and diehard agms, I never saw any extra life out of them. If you go agm, check out Odyssey batteries, awesome customer service and warranty.

Hope this helps.
 
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If you do some searches around here you'll find plenty of opinions (and even some facts :)) on the value proposition associated with AGM for marine use.

Lot's of folks here have been very pleased with the Duracell "Dual Purpose" brand battery sold at Batteries Plus. It's a Dekka battery and you'll be hard pressed to find a better priced unit.

I bet there are plenty of folks that have gone to Group 31 in your size boat. If you've been pleased with the capacity of the 27's I wouldn't see any reason to change? If you want a little more juice in reserve, see if you can make the 31's fit without compromising your current wiring/battery boxes.
 
Why are both you getting so little time out of your batteries ? I'm on 6 years now and I got 8 years out of my previous batteries.
 
Not sure why we lost one of the batteries. Maybe just a bad one. I came into storage to do some work and it had offgassed and stunk the whole building up. I was hooked to shore power and running the charger. New charger so it should not have been the issue. I typically see 5-6 seasons on the formula and travel trailer batteries.
 
Looks like "battery time" here as well, and got almost 6 years out of Interstate 27M-XMD, and may go back with the same. I did see that the local BatteriesPlus has a Duracell SLI27MA which has a few more CCA (1050 vs 800) but is about $30 more per unit.
 

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