Best Battery?

[scoobert]

here are two in my price range.
https://www.batteriesexpressinc.com/...INE-INT-SRM-4D

https://www.batteriesexpressinc.com/...b-4d-45965.htm

one is twice as much.
is it worth twice as much?
the boat has regular 4D battery's now, and 1 is shot.

[zeehag]

scoobee----go to costco. get those lil heavy golf cart batteries--- i use 4 for house bank---can use as many as you wish-- 2 makes one battery storage....get one battery for cranking engine and however many you need for house.

the excellent thing with these is you can exchange em if they fail before the 3 yrs is out. good warrantee practices.
sams club also has golf cart batteries and they arent arms and legs in pricing.

[scoobert]

How does the price compare to these on a 12v amp hour basis?

[Maine Sail]

Originally Posted by scoobert

here are two in my price range.
https://www.batteriesexpressinc.com/...INE-INT-SRM-4D

https://www.batteriesexpressinc.com/...b-4d-45965.htm

one is twice as much.
is it worth twice as much?
the boat has regular 4D battery's now, and 1 is shot.

One is AGM and one is flooded. Two entirely different types and costs.. That said you could not pay me to install 4D's unless they were needed for starting very large diesels and even then I would opt for other choices.....

Why...?

4D vs. 6V

[Sailmonkey]

Neither one is really the "best" for a house battery application. The AGM battery is naturally more expensive than the standard flooded battery, but has fewer available amp hours. The other downside is that it will be easier to kill with a low tech charging system.
Zee has your best bang for buck solution. The GC-2 batteries are built to handle the rigors of charge/discharge cycles imposed by a golf cart. If you can fit them they are really the best solution.

[pistarckle]

Best Battery , one that does the job and can be replaced cheaply and easily , 6 volt golf cart batteries from Sams or Costco .

[forsailbyowner]

Best batteries are Rolls Surrette. I am saving for these at my next replacement. 10yr warranty expected 20 yr life span. Used typically on trains, forklifts etc,,, Been using 8 of sams club 6v golf cart batteries for two replacements now.

[zeehag]

as for costco batteries---i bought a set of 6v in san diego at costco day before i left f or mazatlan. they were fine until i sat in marina in maz for one summer, used charging methods recommended ,,,yada yada,,,anyway---they died in less than one year, so i went to costco in puerto vallarta and replaced all 4 of em for free. i am still using these in my boat now. those i got in costco in pv are now a little over 1 1/2 years old. going fine--and there is a costco in manzanillo if i need it. there is also one in acapulco. funny how they come in convenient locales for exchange of dying batteries.....

[kbudd]

I am also looking at replacing my house batteries. I have 2 90 aH AGMs now but they are several years old and seem to lose a charge fairly quickly. I am thinking about 4 6v golf cart batteries from Sam's but my problem is I need to put them under a pull out berth and the only way to get to them is to disassemble the berth. My question is how often should I expect to have to add water to the batteries? I will be charging them with a Balmer alternator with a 3 stage regulator or a 3 stage shorepower charger. It sounds like folks have a lot of experience with these batteries. Thanks.

[Sailmonkey]

I've been watering my batteries on average 4-5 times a year.

[twinboat]

I have 8 Sam`s Club gc2`s since 7/2010. Check water about once a month, and add a little, every other time. We cruise full time and charge with 675 watt`s solar with mppt controler. Also 150 amp xantrex controled alt.

[scoobert]

so two of these?
https://www.batteriesexpressinc.com/...gc-ne-t605.htm

and this gives me

Voltage: 6
RC Min.@ 25: 383Ah
RC Min.@ 75: 105
20 Hr Ah: 210

so 210 AH at 12 volts with two?

at $260 for the pair, thats still in my price range.

[Stu Jackson]

You really shouldn't skimp on batteries. Find a good price and buy 4 6V gold carts. You'll be glad you did.

You might be interested in these:

C34 Battery Selection - C34

AGM Battery Issues (from Maine Sail)
AGM Batteries - Making The Choice - SailboatOwners.com

AGM Battery Issues and the Blue Seas Dual Circuit Switch (from Maine Sail) "DARN AGM Batteries"
Darn AGM Batteries - SailboatOwners.com

You also should inspect your entire electrical SYSTEM.

Does your alternator output go through the C post of the 1-2-B switch? Do you have a wiring diagram of your boat's electrical system?

Basic Battery Wiring Diagrams This is a very good basic primer for boat system wiring: Basic Battery Wiring Diagrams

This is another very good basic primer for boat system wiring: The 1-2-B Switch by Maine Sail (brings together a lot of what this subject is all about)
1/BOTH/2/OFF Switches Thoughts & Musings - SailboatOwners.com

Gien your proposed voyage, you NEED to know these things.

Good luck.

PS - 4D and 8D batteries are a disaster, for your boat and for your back. Maine Sail has mentioned many times that 4D and 8D batteries are not truly deep cycle, they are dual purpose, essentially good for nothing except breaking your back.

[Efraim]

4D batteries are about 120lbs. Think of how fun you going to have moving those around.

[S/V_Surya]

Originally Posted by forsailbyowner

Best batteries are Rolls Surrette. I am saving for these at my next replacement. 10yr warranty expected 20 yr life span. Used typically on trains, forklifts etc,,, Been using 8 of sams club 6v golf cart batteries for two replacements now.

I do not know about rolls surrette but I had some rolls eiw250 that were very expensive. Only lasted 5 years I was very disappointed. I also have 2 interstate u2200 that are about 4 years old and still good but I going to replace. $110 each. I have always had good luck with interstate batteries.