4D Battery Replacements

[crafoo]

I just bought a C36 mk2 which came with two dead 4D flooded-cell lead acid batteries. The shore power charger can handle either lead acid or AGM.

What are good, reputable 4D AGM batteries? The boat and I are currently in Rhode Island tied off in a marina slip.

[Windpilot]

There are a few here like me, I go with 4d flooded d/c (4 of them) Good ones are under 250, last 5 years.
A new boat needs plenty of your extra money on other things. Solar helps a lot keeping batteries alive.
Just my rambling thoughts.
Congratulations on your boat!

[crafoo]

Originally Posted by Windpilot

There are a few here like me, I go with 4d flooded d/c (4 of them) Good ones are under 250, last 5 years.
A new boat needs plenty of your extra money on other things. Solar helps a lot keeping batteries alive.
Just my rambling thoughts.
Congratulations on your boat!

Thanks! Got the sails up. The main is a z spar furler, which was a little annoying to do myself. Also serviced the diesel and got it started off a spare battery.

I think you're right. Flooded is probably fine for me. Where do you usually buy your batteries?

[Stu Jackson]

Many folks note that 4D batteries are not true deep cycle. Many mid size Catalina owners use golf cart batteries.


Have you looked at the C36 forum at www.c36ia.org? They also have a relatively new FB page.


AGMs are not for everybody. Wet cells have certain advantages over AGMs:


AGM Batteries - Making The Choice (from Maine Sail)

https://forums.sailboatowners.com/in...choice.124973/

AGM Battery Issues and the Blue Seas Dual Circuit Switch (from Maine Sail) "DARN AGM Batteries"
https://forums.sailboatowners.com/in...teries.133773/

Additional Observations on the Limits of AGMs http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5....html#msg63004

[tkeithlu]

Past threads have, among flooded batteries, favored Duracells, and as a cheaper source Sam's Club, as in

https://www.samsclub.com/p/duracell-...c2/prod3590228

which are $90 each.

I used to use Interstates for my house bank, but switched to Duracells six months ago. So far, so good.

[SVTatia]

Originally Posted by tkeithlu

Past threads have, among flooded batteries, favored Duracells, and as a cheaper source Sam's Club, as in

https://www.samsclub.com/p/duracell-...c2/prod3590228

which are $90 each.

I used to use Interstates for my house bank, but switched to Duracells six months ago. So far, so good.

To the OP - these are 6V so you'll need 4 of them to replace the 2 4Ds. They are 215ah, which is about the same as the 4D.
You also need to check your battery box as the Duracells or any golf cart batts are higher - just over 11".
I've had them for 4 years, you can't beat the value.

[Windpilot]

I use centennial marine deep cycle marine dc-4d.
It's not a regular 4d.
Problem I don't like is all the cabling on multiple batteries, a couple isn't bad, 6v are taller,won't fit on mine, check your own size requirements.

[NYSail]

Duracell’s 6 volts are pretty good..... from what I have read and heard. I have Trojans and am very happy with them.

[crafoo]

Thank you everyone. Some very informative posts. Based on my use and inability to get AGMs reliably fully recharged, I opted to replace with flooded lead acid for the next few seasons. When I get solar and am able to keep AGMs charged I'll switch over.
Thanks everyone.