CF Members Survey - Batteries Used Currently - 2019

[PiAn]

Hi,
Gel for me. Victron.
Has anyone heard of the NCC classification in UK? Is it valuable?
Here is the link : https://www.thencc.org.uk/News_Press...spx?NewsID=440
or https://www.thencc.org.uk/our_scheme...ry_scheme.aspx
It is not clear whart sort of tests are conducted and who performs the tests. And it brings strange results...

[Pete7]

The NCC thing is a sort of rating and retailers are starting to add it to their websites like Alpha Batteries. Not all batteries tested, but its a start or a simple guide for those who don't really want to read up on the subject:

https://www.alpha-batteries.co.uk/marine-batteries/

Think its aimed at the caravan and motorhome users in the UK.

[Marekaofholland]

7AGM and serious thinking about replacing them for lithium when the time comes...

[Rimica]

2 x 350 amp Mastervolt Lithium

[kristjan]

Two Surette S-550, 6v each. Both in a box that doubles as chart table seat.

[Ken Pole]

Two FullRiver Group 31 AGMS (one house, one starter) charged by a pair of 100W panels. Minimal power needs, i.e. all lighting is LED and my Atomic 4 requires minimal cranking.

[Teknishn]

6 12-volt Deep Cycle size 24 SLA's as 3 separate house banks, 2 size 31 Marine Cranking batteries. Overkill on a 27-foot sailboat with a Yanmar 1GM, I know. Went with the size 24's for the house banks as I am limited in storage space for them, plus the battery boxes. Charging house banks with solar.

[FerrariSailing]

Just changed the entire system from 400ah AGM house plus 2 led acid start batts to 300ah Lithium, kept the lead acid start batts.
Sparky reconfigured the charging system with 1 mains 40amp for the house and 1 x 12v to 12v that keeps the start batts up and overflows to the house Lithium.
I have 780 watts of solar as well.
I run 2 fridges 24x7 plus everything else and I have just about stopped looking at the system app as it all works so well without me touching anything.
Now when I go into a marina I don’t bother to connect the shore power unless we have a couple of cloudy days.
That Doesn’t happen often in Queensland’s winter.
Now I sing the praise of The wonderful thing called modern technology!

[Eureka2]

Use Rolls AGM, 4*130 ah. Installed two years ago, no problems.

Regards

[thataway41]

For freezer/refrigerator and Inverter (microwave, and induction cooking) we are using LiFePO4. The engine start, and rest of house (electronics and all LED lighting), is Flooded lead acid--3 years old. When those give up, probably AGM for start and electronics. We have separate charging systems. The Sterling battery to battery charger for the under way engine alternator charging of the LI, and Victron 2000 Watt PSW inverter/80 amp battery charger, for the Li.

[Jlp0217]

3x Lifeline 4D AGM house for 630 AH. 2 G31 Optima Blue Top AGM for Windlass & Thrusters, cheap G24 Kirkland auto start battery, small Diehard lawn tractor battery for 20hp inflatable, and a g34 Optima Blue Top AGM for electric powered hardshell dinghy.
Freedom 20 inverter/charger, and 2 95 amp small frame alts, derated 60 & 70 %, with the 70% one set 0.1volt less so it only supplies power in bulk charging mode.
Charging goes to house, with ACRs to start and thruster batteries. Dinghy batteries are charged with jumper cables when needed.
Refrigeration is 120V and engine driven, so electric needs are minimal except toaster and microwave.

[Exile]

Originally Posted by Jlp0217

3x Lifeline 4D AGM house for 630 AH. 2 G31 Optima Blue Top AGM for Windlass & Thrusters, cheap G24 Kirkland auto start battery, small Diehard lawn tractor battery for 20hp inflatable, and a g34 Optima Blue Top AGM for electric powered hardshell dinghy.
Freedom 20 inverter/charger, and 2 95 amp small frame alts, derated 60 & 70 %, with the 70% one set 0.1volt less so it only supplies power in bulk charging mode.
Charging goes to house, with ACRs to start and thruster batteries. Dinghy batteries are charged with jumper cables when needed.
Refrigeration is 120V and engine driven, so electric needs are minimal except toaster and microwave.

Ditto here, except it's 3x Lifeline AGM 8D's with one dedicated to starting a 80hp diesel. Think that's overkill and I may need to change, but that's for a different thread. I thought I was the only one still with 120v plus engine drive refrigeration. The downside is it's too much for an inverter on the 120v side, but the upside is that, when underway, the AP is the biggest battery draw. Still might prefer 12v refrigeration (plus solar, etc.) so as not to be as dependent on my diesel engine & generator to keep the beer cold.

[redsky49]

House bank: (4) 230ah 6V Duracell (East Penn) FLA, total 460ah, installed November 2018. Batteries replaced 4 of the same, 2012 vintage, that were almost 7 years service, but dropped to 12.5V at morning recharge rather than 12.6V previously under similar duty. They were still serviceable but were replaced as a precaution (and it only cost about $400 plus tax!) while in a marina. Best dollar for watt in my opinion.

(2) SLA for engine and generator start. Got about 7-8 years service for start batteries. Duracell brand used here too. VSR serves engine start battery from house bank. A small 1.25 amp charger used monthly for generator battery if genny (stock alternator) not being used.

Charge sources Westerbeke 4.4kw genny, alternator (upgraded Balmar system) and 120V shore powered Magnum charger/inverter. Solar on the project list, thinking 400W +/-.

[alamoana]

Using ROLLS 4000 series FLA Deep Cycle batteries, 875 AH x 12 Volts, since September 2001, almost 18 years, on a mooring, alternator and genset charged for 16 years. Solar panels only the last 2 years. Maybe lower capacity than when new, but still working fine!

[dfelsent]

House bank 6x alphaline dc31mf. Nothing special (sarcasm),on their last legs. My guess is 7 years old including over two years of liveaboard, a PO transatlantic and they owe no one anything. The PO bought right. Bang for the buck.

Total in theory of 750 Ah. I don’t believe that was ever the case. I’ve seen specs from 100 to 125 Ah for those batteries.

Starter alphaline group 27. Same age. Still cranks a 4JH4-TE right over.

In the middle of replacing with 3x firefly L15 for 450 Ah house bank. Was fortunate to be able to pick them up on my way to my dad’s house.
Starter tbd. No reason to replace yet.

The 6x group 31 weighs about 300 lbs, the firefly just 270 lbs, lol. no real weight savings but should be an increase in safely usable ampere-hours. Theory says good bang for the buck too. Time will tell.