Best domestic batteries?

I need to replace a set of domestic batteries for an Oyster 80. I am sure that technology has moved on since the last set was fitted and was wondering if anyone could suggest the best batteries to do the job.


The current batteries are “AGM Optima 6 v cell”. It’s a 24V system with about 450AH .

I charge with a Fisher Panda AGT at 6KW/240A, and the engine alternator at 170A.

Grateful for any suggestions.

 

i THINK you will find a lot of agreement that the Rolls/Surrette marine batteries are the best, though $$$$. You can Google and find a lot of info on ratings of Batterie manufacturers and (not knowing your needs) you can find quite reliable batteries at a more competitive price. If your a Commercial fisherman in northern waters go with Rolls.....................http://www.dcbattery.com/submarine.html
listing of many.

 

After doing price comparisons between all the major battery brands, I have found Trojan T-105's to be the best bang for the buck in terms of longevity, charge acceptance and price.

I've never had to replace a set because I use a battery monitor and have changed boats before their life was over.

 

Certainly the Trojans are good value, but you need to ask yourself how well did the AGMs that you have work. If they suit your conditions of use, stay with them, they are good batteries.

 

...everyone treats their batteries differently, some care for them well and get the obvious good results ...others just install and forget....it is horses for courses in many ways....wet lead acid batteries (Trojans) are for those that respect what they have and are prepared to maintain them as such...the AGMs are far less demanding if they are neglected (as such)

 

2 volt traction cells are quite good and are easy to get on board.

 

My favorite are the Rolls batteries that have individual cells. So when goes bad you just replace that cell not the whole battery. This also lets you size the battery to your final usage easily. But as has been mentioned the Rolls are quite expensive compared to other options.

 

Thanks for sugestions, will check them all out. Just looking for a uk agent for Rolls and it looks like it Barden UK are the only ones is this the case?

The batteries we have were looked after very well....... untill the boat yard disconected them from shore power but left the invertor running for 2 months over re-fit. That was last winter and now they are just not holding charge.

But let’s say that cost is not a factor, does rolls give the best capacity for volume of space, and longest reliable working life?

 

The best batteries for domestic use are those giving lower amperage over a longer time unlike starter batteries that are designed to give high amperage in a short time. Traction or semi traction batteries have much fewer, larger and more robust lead plates lasting a very long time and so are ideal. Very common on Dutch barges. The brand name is less important than the type but they are all expensive.

http://www.microtex.in/index_files/Traction_Cells_BS.htm

This is an Indian site but it gives very good information.

 

I´ll backup this!

That is a outstanding good choice! Better known as "Surette" though......

Regards
Richard

 

I guess you could look purely at storage capacity/sq inch of battery space, but I think this is a little questionable. The reason I like the Rolls/Surrett batteries has to do with their expected lifespan, warranty, and I can't emphasize this enough the seperate cell construction.

Their warranty period for their Marine batteries is either 24/86 or 36/120 depending on series, meaning full replacement cost warranty for 2(3) years, and depreceated price for the next 7(10) years. So if the batteries crap out inside of 10(13) years from the date of installation they will have some warranty on them.

However the way the batteries are made is that they sell each cell as a seperate unit, so a 150lbs 12v battery comes as a set of 6 2V cells. Meaning the weight you have to move at any one time is only about 25lbs. This does a few things, one they don't break the boat banging into things as they are being installed, two they don't break your back being installed, it allows for larger individual plates since they are still mobile, and in the event an individual cell goes bad you can just replace the one bad cell. I even know a guy who keeps a spare cell on board for just this occasion.

What this amounts to is a higher initial cost, but lower operational and installation costs. Plus the batteries themselves are in my opinion the best batteries on the market.

 

You can't argue with Stumble's post here. He's right on target. If you have the budget for these batteries, I would go for the Surrettes.

Now, one other thing that isn't being mentioned is your method of charging.

You have 170A of alternators and you've listed a Fisher Panda's AC electrical output, but not the battery charger you are using between the Fisher Panda and the battery bank. How many amps can that battery charger deliver? Also, what method do you usually use to charge up? Generator or alternator?

I ask because you may find some newer batteries such as the AGMs that you are replacing will save you a lot of wear and tear on your alternators and your generator.

Regular flooded cells lose 15-20% of the charging energy into heat instead of a charged up battery. Gel-cells lose 10-16% but AGMs only lose about 4%.

Even though price isn't a consideration, I'd probably choose AGMs again for your application, though a different (and more reputable) brand. Why? The price of running the Fisher Panda or engine in terms of fuel, running cost and environmental cost is high and can be reduced significantly by choosing AGMs.

 

And significantly further with a "Victron Energy" automated charger / inverter / management system.

 

Here is a guy who really took the time pondering:
http://www.vonwentzel.net/Battery/index.html

The story about the inverter ruining the batteries, I'm having doubts....
Even a cheap Chinese one monitors the input voltage, beeps unhappy when the danger zone approaches and switches off if the voltage keep dropping. A .20$ semiconductor device is all it takes.

 

Thanks again for all sugestions, stumble I will look very closely at the rolls single cells. The panda is actually a DC set, no battery charger inbertween.
Apologies for breif response am sailing for the next few days but will come back to this soon.