Battery Suitability

[johnnyBgood]

Hi, long time on the mailing list, now a new member, first post,
I am in the process of purchasing a 2010 Jeanneau SO 42 DS.
The boat has 4No Bosch T3-032 batteries installed apparently configured 3 house 1 start, each are 12V 100A/hr. Having checked the Bosch technical site these are intended for truck use. I have not been able to identify the age of the batteries but can only assume they are not the original Jeanneau install.
Although they appear to test ok I am concerned about them, so looking for some advice:-
Should I just change them out or use this season and replace next.
Is it reasonable to expect the seller to contribute.
Any comments, opinions, advice, appreciated.
Johnny

[GreenWave]

If they check out and and seem to be safely installed then I would use them until you need to replace. Rare for owners to chip in on new batts unless there is some problem other than age.

[sailormed]

Use them but keep an eye open as you do for “the milk on the stove”.

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by johnnyBgood

Should I just change them out or use this season and replace next.
Is it reasonable to expect the seller to contribute.
Any comments, opinions, advice, appreciated.
Johnny

They are bog standard FLAs (flooded lead acid). There are two facts to consider


1) FLAs usually last around 5 years with care, often less


2) One of the lessons taken from the 1998 Sydney to Hobart disaster was that FLAs contribute to problems in a blowdown or inversion. Several/many boats lost electrical power as a result of electrolyte starvation. AGMs are safer in this regard.


If it were my boat I would:
- replace them with AGMs if going offshore in uncertain weather or for passages longer than a reliable weather window
- test them and run them for another year otherwise

[johnnyBgood]

Thanks for the replies
I am not going far this season, I will live with the Bosch, get to know the boat and systems and plan for a phased upgrade.
Thanks again Johnny

[robert sailor]

Enjoy your new boat. You might charge the batteries up and then let them settle for a few hours without any draw on them and then check the specific gravity on each cell. If they are all reading in the green and are close to each other in the actual readings then that's a sign that they probably have some life left in them and then simply enjoy your cruising.

[a64pilot]

Batteries are a consumable item. Get as good a price as you can for the boat, but I wouldn’t expect to get a discount based on batteries, anymore than I would that the fuel tank wasn’t full.