Batteries

It depends a lot on your configuration. Are any dedicated cranking? Are any dedicated for house functions? Without knowing that, it is hard to tell what mix of battery types. That said, I hear that the new Lithium ones are a good solution bang-for-the-buck -- but a HUGE upfront cost. I ended up getting AGMs as the best in-between....
 
I would not put lithium batteries in my boat, just look at cars catching fire in fl after getting wet with salt water from the last hurricane. I don't trust them in a boat, just my opinion
 
I've been a repeat customer of the Duracell brand batteries at Batteries Plus. They are made by Dekka. I have Group 31 dual purpose on everything except my generator. I think the gen has a group 25 or 27, also dual purpose.

For the money they are hard to beat. Usually you order online, pickup in store and get a 10% discount. I've also seen some folks post some crazy deals from Sams Club but I'm not a member...
 
Ed_C said:
It depends a lot on your configuration. Are any dedicated cranking? Are any dedicated for house functions? Without knowing that, it is hard to tell what mix of battery types. That said, I hear that the new Lithium ones are a good solution bang-for-the-buck -- but a HUGE upfront cost. I ended up getting AGMs as the best in-between....
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That's a bit hard to follow - how does one yield "good bang for the buck" whilst incuring a "huge" upfront cost?
 
What I meant was, over the entire, alleged, 10-year life of the new Lithiums, you pay just under $1000 per battery. Many of the 3-year batteries are over $300. So, when you do the math, the Lithium is going to be cheaper. BUT you have to pay the entire 10-year cost up-front. Me, I just didn't by the hype yet. And I wasn't worried about the fire/explosion hazard. As a firefighter specially trained in EV and Li-ion fires and hazards, that really wasn't a major issue based on very specific construction aspects for the marine Li batteries
 
Ed_C said:
What I meant was, over the entire, alleged, 10-year life of the new Lithiums, you pay just under $1000 per battery. Many of the 3-year batteries are over $300. So, when you do the math, the Lithium is going to be cheaper. BUT you have to pay the entire 10-year cost up-front. Me, I just didn't by the hype yet. And I wasn't worried about the fire/explosion hazard. As a firefighter specially trained in EV and Li-ion fires and hazards, that really wasn't a major issue based on very specific construction aspects for the marine Li batteries
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Gotcha. I still like my flooded cell batteries at $150. Old school tech :)
 
Ed_C said:
What I meant was, over the entire, alleged, 10-year life of the new Lithiums, you pay just under $1000 per battery. Many of the 3-year batteries are over $300. So, when you do the math, the Lithium is going to be cheaper. BUT you have to pay the entire 10-year cost up-front. Me, I just didn't by the hype yet. And I wasn't worried about the fire/explosion hazard. As a firefighter specially trained in EV and Li-ion fires and hazards, that really wasn't a major issue based on very specific construction aspects for the marine Li batteries
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There's minimal fire hazard with the LIFEPO batteries. In fact when/if they go high order they only out gas steam.
The cobalt based batteries like in power tools and Tesla cars are another story however.
Pretty much all marine Lithium batteries are LIFEPO.
All commercially available LIFEPO batteries are not designed for engine cranking and the current demand during cranking. There are installation protocols that must strictly be followed should a lithium battery bank is to be used for engine cranking. I would discourage the use for the OP's application.
 
I put in 5 Die Hard maintenance free that I got on sale a couple of years ago for under $175 a piece. I've been getting 6-8 years out of my batteries.
 
Hard to beat the price...+10% off if you order online.

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jonl21 said:
I go with Costco interstate batteries
Just to 2 (D27 groups) for 90 bucks each.
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Despite being convinced that sealed AGM batteries are the way to go, none were available when I needed to replace the 5 engine room batteries in early 2022, so I did the same as you for CRANKING - not deep cycle batteries at just over $100 each at WalMart.

Did the same for 21 years with the 3 batteries in my Trojan International, changed them out in cycles every 3-4 years, no matter what.

Once I upgrade the 1996 factory battery charger to a selectable version, I'll then have the option of upping the initial investment, but will then have no choice but to replace all 5 again at the same time as not to mix battery types.

The forward bow thruster mounted in the salon floor now has OPTIMA sealed batteries and it's own independent selectable charger with a remote panel.

They are surprisingly heavy compared to the lead acid (WRONG) batteries they replaced.

BEST !

RWS
 
David Long said:
I need to replace all 5 batteries on my 2003 SR 380 Sundancer. Any recommendations for brand, amps, etc?
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How long did your current batteries last and are you happy with their performance? If so, get the same ones again. Sometimes it's good to keep things simple.

I like the idea of lithium, but when quality wet cells like Deka are $150 to $200 (depending on style) and last about 5 years... I just don't see the benefits, yet.
 
ttmott said:
There's minimal fire hazard with the LIFEPO batteries. In fact when/if they go high order they only out gas steam.
The cobalt based batteries like in power tools and Tesla cars are another story however.
Pretty much all marine Lithium batteries are LIFEPO.
All commercially available LIFEPO batteries are not designed for engine cranking and the current demand during cranking. There are installation protocols that must strictly be followed should a lithium battery bank is to be used for engine cranking. I would discourage the use for the OP's application.
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Following up your comment about LIFEPO batteries not designed for cranking, I had a friend that got a set wired up for his thruster and windless. That also didn't work, I guess the current demands for the thruster also didn't work well, he had to pull them out. I don't have the specifics... just second hand info.
 
Always used AGM grp 31's in my 340 and 410. Lasted 6+ years in those boats. I know they lasted 3 more years with the next owner of my 410. They were not quite twice as much as flooded cells.

In the 58, D8's are too heavy for me to handle and AGMs are more than twice as much, so went with flooded - 6+ years on the bow thruster D-8's and coming up on 6 on the 4 starting D8's. Not bad.
 
I would go with maintenance free lead acid batteries group 27/31 deep cycle depending on what fit's. Same type for all them. Keep it inexpensive and simple. AGM's are twice the cost with out the benefit of twice as long. Anything other then those types are not ready for the consumer market in a boat as a general battery and you'd be wasting your money. Personally, I think AGM's are a waste of money as well, but do make a good boat battery.
 
During the thick of the plandemic there was a run / shortage of batteries - especially 8D's for some odd reason. And as luck would have it, mine crapped the bed. The only 8D's in our area were at Batteries Plus and it was their top shelf AGM's and they weren't giving them away. No choice, had to get them.
 
ttmott said:
During the thick of the plandemic there was a run / shortage of batteries - especially 8D's for some odd reason. And as luck would have it, mine crapped the bed. The only 8D's in our area were at Batteries Plus and it was their top shelf AGM's and they weren't giving them away. No choice, had to get them.
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last time I looked, I think those beauties were $880 each...
 
This year I replaced my four 5yo Walmart group 29 deep cycles with the same $120 a piece. You can't go wrong and they have a 24 full replacement warranty.
 
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