I messed up, batteries dry

[Scout 30]

Originally Posted by BSMS

Replace them with firefly batteries
There costly but worth it

What about changing over to 4 Trojan T-105s?

[arib]

I have had a similar experience about 2 years ago. Filled it up with water and let the solar panels take over, battery still going perfect! Try it.

[kish]

Originally Posted by hd002e

When I purchased these sportsman 90A deep cycle batteries, I failed to check if they needed any servicing and figured that they were sealed. I use 2 x 90A on my boat for the house and have a 400W solar system hookedup to them.

Fast forward 2 years in the Mediterranean sun and absolutely no maintenance later, two days ago I realized how badly I messed up. My solar charge controller turned off and I decidedto take the batteries out to check them. They are pretty light! All the liquid inside is gone!

Before I take it to a battery shop, wanted to get opinions here. Are they doorstops or salvageable? What should be my decision criteria?

Battery dry is battery dead.!

Take them to a recycle facility.

Here is a picture of a non maintained 5 year old battery that ruptured on being lightly loaded, [instruments and nav lights] after six months idle ashore over winter.
The cheapo FLA deep cycle battery failed catastrophically, splitting open, and spilled residual acid, a complete mess.
You need a battery box and to have some Bicarbonate of Soda onboard to neutralize spillage.!

[john61ct]

Yes too many people keep using their bank after SoH has declined past any reasonable EoL definition.

80% is industry standard, 70% might be OK for those staying close to home, but 60% or lower is asking for such "unexpected failures".

IMO best practices mean No Surprises.

[stnick]

You know the best thing for your boat is new batterys. Sealed AGM's . Everyone makes mistakes . just learn from it !

[mikeod]

Originally Posted by Cadence

I believe you should hunt down the cause prior to spending new money after bad.

Cause is obvious. 2 years of not checking them. LA if your not losing some water your not charging them hard enough.

[john61ct]

Nothing wrong with FLA in most cases better value.

Just keep them watered is all

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by mikeod

Cause is obvious. 2 years of not checking them. LA if your not losing some water your not charging them hard enough.

I missed the two years, my bad.

[hd002e]

The service center added distilled water, put them to charge and tested them under load. The voltaye goes down to 9.6 when cranking. Thanks everyone for your contribution. I will be replacing them and the shop will take the old ones in for a $12 core charge.

Now, I am off to researching sealed, AGM and gel

[john61ct]

GEL: Sonnenschein, then Deka. Very fussy but get it right last very long.

AGM: Lifeline, Odyssey, then Northstar

But FLA are by far better value, last longer, more robust against abuse, less fussy charge profile, and lower cost per AH.

Rolls/Surette are best but $$$

then Trojan, Deka/East Penn, U.S. Battery, Crown, Superior.

best battery value by far is Duracell (actually Deka/East Penn) FLA deep cycle golf cart batteries, 2x6V, around $200 per 200+AH pair from BatteriesPlus or Sam's Club

If you find Trojan or other deep cycle locally within 10-20% of those, probably worth going that way.

PS above assumes NA market