Best house batteries for 410DA?

markrinker

markrinker

New Member
Jul 19, 2011
325
Lake Union - Seattle, WA
Boat Info
2000 410DA
Engines
Caterpillar 3126
Starboard side runs refridge, lights, waterpump, etc. and get beat up pretty good compared to the leisurely life of the port pair that only handles head vac pumps.

Have been flattening starboard pair overnight just running fridge. All four are matched and dated 10/2009 so it about time to replace but I am considering a pair of better matched batteries on the starboard side for their duty, and starting port first, then always bridging for starboard startup.

My onboard three bank charger says it can be set for 'lead-acid' and 'gel'. Its 2000 model year technology - would I need a new charger to run a pair of deep cycles on the starboard side?

What say ye, oh SeaRay salts?
 
deep cycle batteries can be lead-acid AGM, Gel too. I use one Interstate 4D battery for house. It will run my two fridges, water pump, lights etc for a weekend, and still start the engines if needed. Plop a couple of those in and I'd say you'd be good to go. Or go with a 6V bank.
 
I installed Trojan J185H's. They are heavy but they work great!
 
Diehard platinum AGM Marine! Its like 100 lb, but has a 3 year no fault warranty. Or like mentioned above 6v golf cart batteries.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions - I will investigate them all before choosing new batteries.

For now, since end of season is only 6weeks out and it looks like the boat may be layed up over winter for repairs, I've decided to swap batteries from port to starboard and see if I have enough to run the fridge and reasonable amounts of lights, etc. while on the hook for a few more fall trips. Certainly the pair that have been loafing on the port side for three years will have a little more left in them. Never stranded unless the genny or its battery fails, right? Famous last words...

Q: If the fridge draws 5amps when running, how many hours of run time could one expect on a SINGLE deep cycle marine battery? Would it be advisable to replace the four batteries with just two deep cycle marines, or are you guys running four of them? Not sure that there is enough 'real estate' where my four currently reside to locate four of the larger batteries...?
 
Last edited:
My local 'Batteries Plus' store sells a bluetop marine AGM, Group 27 'Dual Purpose' battery with 580 CCA rating, 92AH and an incredible 900 Reserve Capacity Minutes rating. (Again this seems so far out of range that I question its validity...I have the spec sheet from their internal website in hand, but wonder if its a typo???)

They also sell a similar blue top rated at 930 CCA, 90AH, and 190 Reserve Capacity Minutes...which seems more in line with other AGMs mentioned in this thread.

The salesman suggested, based on my description of the 410's four battery, port/starboard isolation that two of the 92AH for port, and two of the 90AH for starboard would be ideal. (I also think he was salivating over his commission potential on a $1000+ sale, when his typical day is more about cell phone, motorcycle, and laptop battery replacements.)

Q1: Would there be any problem with replacing the starboard pair (house) with two of these, while using up the rest of the lifespan of my two good port (lead/acid automotive style starting) batteries?

Q2: With the correct DIP pin settings and cabling, can the OEM onboard charger maintain two dissimilar pairs of batteries, simultaneously? Or do I need to upgrade to all AGM batteries at one time, with starting batteries (thin plate) port and deep cycles (thick plate) starboard. (That would be about $1100 of new batteries...:wow:)

Spent alot of time at our local 'Batteries Plus' store, also looking at the 6V golf cart AGM batteries and do find that solution intruiging as well. Again - are you guys 'mixing' a 12V pair on port with 6V pair on starboard, or replacing all four batteries with 6V cabled in series for starting duty and house duties?

No -30F starts going on with my boat :grin: ...all those CCA ratings seem uneccessary for marine, although I bet the starters on those CATs do draw a bunch of momentary load, plus all the intake heaters come on as well.
 
Last edited:
optima.jpg

I put 5 of them in 3 or 4 years ago. Haven't touched them since.
 
I put in 5 group 27 Costco marine deep cycle lead-acid batteries this spring for $90 a piece.... We'll see how long that works out for me. I got 4 years out the 4 6volt golf cart batteries I bought at Costco for the inverter... ($85 a piece)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,183
Messages
1,428,116
Members
61,091
Latest member
dionb
Back
Top