Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. Advertise Here
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 08-03-2017, 08:38   #1
Registered User

Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Caribbean
Boat: Leopard 38
Posts: 146
Need actual advice on Gel batteries for my boat

Hello.

Soon I need to exchange my existing house bank of gel batteries. Installed are 3 Gel Tech batteries 12V with 175A each.
Available space is 20-21" or 50-54 cm in length. Height 9-11" or 23-29cm. Width 8-9" or 22cm.

Would love to get some news where to buy them economically in the US or Caribe.

Every advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Alex
ak5609 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-03-2017, 08:44   #2
Registered User
 
Scot McPherson's Avatar

Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Shoreline, CT and Portmouth Harbor
Boat: Standfast 33, building a 65 ft Wooden Schooner
Posts: 636
Re: Need actual advice on Gel batteries for my boat

defender is probably your cheapest option, but if you are in the carribean then shipping may outweigh the savings for the product. I would look as local as you can, maybe st Thomas if you can get there.
Scot McPherson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-03-2017, 09:00   #3
Registered User
 
epiic's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Boat: Jeanneau 409
Posts: 246
Re: Need actual advice on Gel batteries for my boat

Have you considered the Firefly carbon foam batteries?

I have 7 of them and they are fantastic. A nice happy medium between AGM and Lithium
__________________
2015 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 409 - 3 Cabin / 2 Head, Shoal Keel, Furling Main, Performance Genoa 135% with Tracks, Folding Prop, Bow Thruster, Air Conditioning, B&G Zeus2 Chartplotter, B&G Autopilot, B&G 4G Radar, B&G ForwardScan Sonar.
epiic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-03-2017, 09:02   #4
cruiser

Join Date: Jan 2017
Boat: Retired from CF
Posts: 13,317
Re: Need actual advice on Gel batteries for my boat

Yes, very rare to hear of anyone still wanting Gel?

I thought their advantages turned out to be illusory.
john61ct is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-03-2017, 09:09   #5
Registered User

Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Caribbean
Boat: Leopard 38
Posts: 146
Re: Need actual advice on Gel batteries for my boat

Thank you. Never heard.
Do you have a link and a price for me?
ak5609 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-03-2017, 09:10   #6
Registered User

Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Caribbean
Boat: Leopard 38
Posts: 146
Re: Need actual advice on Gel batteries for my boat

Why?
I'm very happy with gel batts. In my forklift for 10 years now and 6 on my boat. Plus zero maintenance.
ak5609 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-03-2017, 09:15   #7
Registered User
 
epiic's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Boat: Jeanneau 409
Posts: 246
Re: Need actual advice on Gel batteries for my boat

Quote:
Originally Posted by ak5609 View Post
Thank you. Never heard.
Do you have a link and a price for me?
https://www.coastalclimatecontrol.co...e-battery.html
__________________
2015 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 409 - 3 Cabin / 2 Head, Shoal Keel, Furling Main, Performance Genoa 135% with Tracks, Folding Prop, Bow Thruster, Air Conditioning, B&G Zeus2 Chartplotter, B&G Autopilot, B&G 4G Radar, B&G ForwardScan Sonar.
epiic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-03-2017, 09:23   #8
cruiser

Join Date: Jan 2017
Boat: Retired from CF
Posts: 13,317
Re: Need actual advice on Gel batteries for my boat

Quote:
Originally Posted by ak5609 View Post
Why?
I'm very happy with gel batts. In my forklift for 10 years now and 6 on my boat. Plus zero maintenance.
Forklift charging and usage cycles have little to do with mobile/marine "house bank" patterns.

Slow charge rates, lower voltages or damaged.

Fewer effective cycles, shorter life

Do not hold up well in hot engine rooms, gel cell electrolyte does evaporate over time.
john61ct is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-03-2017, 09:25   #9
Moderator Emeritus
 
a64pilot's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Jacksonville/ out cruising
Boat: Island Packet 38
Posts: 31,351
Re: Need actual advice on Gel batteries for my boat

I was under the impression that Gels were among the longest lasting of all battery types, however they are not tolerant of abuse
a64pilot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-03-2017, 09:30   #10
Registered User
 
Colin A's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: East of the river CT
Boat: Oday Mariner 19 , Four Winns Marquis 16 OB, Kingfisher III
Posts: 657
Send a message via Skype™ to Colin A
Re: Need actual advice on Gel batteries for my boat

Gels work well if everything is set up well for them. They are not as bolt in as agm (they require lower voltages.) but they can outlast AGM when properly setup. They also seem to do better with being partially charged and dragged lower then AGM's do. On the other hand they can not be charged as quickly as AGM's.
__________________
mysite: Colinism.com
Colin A is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-03-2017, 09:32   #11
cruiser

Join Date: Jan 2017
Boat: Retired from CF
Posts: 13,317
Re: Need actual advice on Gel batteries for my boat

Quote:
Originally Posted by ak5609 View Post
Thank you. Never heard.
Do you have a link and a price for me?
Firefly wants ​14.2-14.6V charging, 14.4 is ideal also 13.2V for longevity.

Check if your charge sources match that, if so they are excellent, best lead-based for handling situations where you can't get up to 100% full very frequently.

$500+ per 100 AH, much cheaper than LFP.

Otherwise just go "back" to FLA 6v GC2s, <$100 per 100AH, likely will last longer than your gels did.

If you CAN get to true 100% every cycle, or at least weekly, then lots more choices in between, worth spending more on premium FLA or AGM if you need sealed.
john61ct is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-03-2017, 09:32   #12
Registered User

Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Caribbean
Boat: Leopard 38
Posts: 146
Re: Need actual advice on Gel batteries for my boat

I disagree as I am satisfied. Charging cycle on my boat (5 solar panels total 960W) perfect. Age 6+ years and still ok. No wear out visible. Stored on my catamaran in a well circulated compartment which is not hot at all.

Do you have a recommendation if gel is not your first choice. I'm always happy to get other Infos.
ak5609 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-03-2017, 09:46   #13
Registered User
 
Colin A's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: East of the river CT
Boat: Oday Mariner 19 , Four Winns Marquis 16 OB, Kingfisher III
Posts: 657
Send a message via Skype™ to Colin A
Re: Need actual advice on Gel batteries for my boat

Quote:
Originally Posted by john61ct View Post
Forklift charging and usage cycles have little to do with mobile/marine "house bank" patterns.

Slow charge rates, lower voltages or damaged.

Fewer effective cycles, shorter life

Do not hold up well in hot engine rooms, gel cell electrolyte does evaporate over time.
I have found them to have a higher cycle life then AGM in my experience. I believe the manufactures published data shows the same. The banks I have experience with were almost completely charged with solar so quick charge times were not a huge concern.
__________________
mysite: Colinism.com
Colin A is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-03-2017, 10:07   #14
cruiser

Join Date: Jan 2017
Boat: Retired from CF
Posts: 13,317
Re: Need actual advice on Gel batteries for my boat

Quote:
Originally Posted by ak5609 View Post
I disagree as I am satisfied. Charging cycle on my boat (5 solar panels total 960W) perfect. Age 6+ years and still ok. No wear out visible. Stored on my catamaran in a well circulated compartment which is not hot at all.

Do you have a recommendation if gel is not your first choice. I'm always happy to get other Infos.
If everything is fine for your setup, get another round of gel.

As I said, getting back to true 100% frequently is key, along with proper matching between the bank mfg specs and charge sources' V/A inputs. Adjustable on both makes these choices easier.

Given that, top-notch vendors like ​Rolls/Surette, Odyssey, Northstar, Concorde/Lifeline, Trojan, in about that order IMO.

I prefer FLA, to be able to calibrate SoC metering with a hydrometer.

But if that's not important to you, AGM will mount sideways or tighter locations and accept fast-charging higher amps, at a higher cost per $100AH.

Buying locally, eliminating shipping charges, and maybe trusted support if needed, makes a huge difference to the value equation.
john61ct is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-03-2017, 11:41   #15
Registered User
 
ranger58sb's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Maryland, USA
Boat: 58' Sedan Bridge
Posts: 5,418
Re: Need actual advice on Gel batteries for my boat

Quote:
Originally Posted by ak5609 View Post
Soon I need to exchange my existing house bank of gel batteries. Installed are 3 Gel Tech batteries 12V with 175A each.
Available space is 20-21" or 50-54 cm in length. Height 9-11" or 23-29cm. Width 8-9" or 22cm.

Google on Gel Tech batteries suggests yours are "8G4D", 20.75"L x 8.5"W x 10"H, 183 Ah. Or at least that's a current Gel Tech product approximating what you've got.

Google can probably find several dealers, and from that you could maybe work out best shipping costs. Or maybe any brand of gel 4Ds would work for you, especially if you can find something local.

Quick charging info on the Jamsetown Distributors page says charge to at least 13.8V and no more than 14.1V... so if yours have worked well, perhaps that suggests your charging system is well-balanced for those batteries. (How long have they lasted for you?)

FWIW, Jamestown's price is $608.96/each. If you have flexibility with your charging system, maybe compare with any other 4Ds (FLA, AGM, etc.) in case something equally useful can be available locally at decent cost.

-Chris
__________________
Chesapeake Bay, USA.
ranger58sb is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
boat

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
To Gel or Not to Gel - That Is the Question Fishman_Tx Construction, Maintenance & Refit 140 09-09-2022 06:30
Boat Insurance: Agreed Value vs Actual Cash Value Policies Robertson Dollars & Cents 19 04-02-2013 14:13
Need new Gel Batteries in Florida Panamajames Electrical: Batteries, Generators & Solar 21 04-12-2012 09:16
gel batteries gasmag Electrical: Batteries, Generators & Solar 9 16-11-2007 15:20

Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 00:19.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.