Why did you buy golf cart batteries when they were so inferior.

[pcmm]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

We live on the hook about 6-7 months per year, moving on average every 3 days.
Our four golf cart batteries last an average of 8yrs and coupled with our 630W of solar and 100amp alternator work fine. They run our refrigerator /freezer, our separate freezer, all our lighting, stereo, TV, charge our phones and laptops, autopilot and other nav equipment, I can buy 4 new golf cart batteries for $120 Canadian dollarettes.

I see no valid reason to change.

As a fellow Canadian, I'd love to know where you can get 4 GC2's for $120!!! When I worked for the largest battery distributor in Canada, my employee price was $150 PER BATTERY! I could buy them at retail in a U.S. Sams club for $89 USD each. My bank cost me $320 for 4 once the core charge was factored in!

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by Fuss

Ah yes…. Boatpoker, I remember,….
you‘re the guy who just replaced his 9 year old lead start battery with another and said it’s only 5 minutes a week to check and put water in for another 9 years.

and why should I change cheap and simple ?

[grantmc]

Isn't the issue also compounded by the increase in demand that many people have, especially Vloggers? So adding in StarLink, cameras, drones, electric outboard engine, maybe even a washer/dryer, Stereo, laptop pcs, large monitors etc on top of the basics like lighting, perhaps a fridge, a few rechargeable head torches.

Isn't this not so much about a battery/gun choice issue, but rather a mono vs cat polarisation? Some people want to have a complete condo, with all the accoutrements of a 1st world land life, and sail it around. And so to fit all their 'stuff' they buy a cat. Special kind a people who then tell us simple lifers about how we need more battery capacity. Well not so much.

And happily the cheap choice periodically appears, second hand junk offs from people upgrading to lithium. My 4 golf cart bats cost zip (big shout out to Sally and Wal!) And there's always the truck wreckers yards where they sell what are often excellent batteries for less than $20 each of whatever currency.

[thomm225]

I got my two 220 AH Golf Cart Batteries a few years ago for $335.00, and they are so much better than the group 24/27 12 volt batteries I tried before.

They are big batteries, and they can last a lot longer that most 12 volt batteries.

They are heavy (and taller) though so you need a good back or a good system to install them especially if they are located down low in your boat.

[EmeraldCoastSailor]

My golf cart approach has served me very well over the past dozen years. New boat will have lithium but that doesn’t mean my golf cart batts haven’t done well for me.

[mvweebles]

There are now thousands of boats that have replaced lead-based golf cart batteries with lithium. How many tore out their LFPs and reverted back to 6V GCs?

[Fore and Aft]

I know nothing about lithium batteries but when packages like this appear in your inbox you can see the appeal.
I could imagine for a weekend warrior a cheap system like this looks good. It allows a 160-watt solar panel to be connected and the engine to charge the battery.
Cheers
https://www.4wdsupacentre.com.au/300...c-charger.html

[OldManMirage]

Originally Posted by Fuss

Ah yes…. Boatpoker, I remember,….
you‘re the guy who just replaced his 9 year old lead start battery with another and said it’s only 5 minutes a week to check and put water in for another 9 years.

I guess I don't understand - you're saying that checking on things is bad ? Weekly or monthly ?

Is the goal to have a boat that you don't have to check anything at all ?

Is that even possible ? I wouldn't think so.

It seems like there are always things to lubricate, check for chafe, check for levels, check for leaks, and just generally look at and make sure all is good.

While you're adding water I guess you can take a good look at everything going on near the batteries. Seems pretty sensible to me.

Are you just trollin' us all here on CF ?

[Statistical]

Originally Posted by OldManMirage

I guess I don't understand - you're saying that checking on things is bad ? Weekly or monthly ?

Is the goal to have a boat that you don't have to check anything at all ?

Is that even possible ? I wouldn't think so.

It seems like there are always things to lubricate, check for chafe, check for levels, check for leaks, and just generally look at and make sure all is good.

While you're adding water I guess you can take a good look at everything going on near the batteries. Seems pretty sensible to me.

Are you just trollin' us all here on CF ?

It has become a religious crusade for him at this point. If I turned on the news and saw he had been arrested trying to blow up a lead acid battery factory it wouldn't be that surprising.

[Fuss]

Don’t be too hard on him Statistical, he’s an old guy and he likes putting water in batteries, the chance of him blowing up anything is very remote.

Why anyone would want to put water in batteries these days is beyond me… and remember , I’m an expert, 16 year old fork truck batteries before changing to lifepo4!!
Oh, I already said that.

[thomm225]

I've been adding maybe an ounce or two of water to my Golf Cart Batteries once a year for the past 3-4 years that I have owned them.

Very little maintenance is required.

I also have no shore power. Just solar of 115 Watts and a Victron MPPT Smart Controller. (65 Watts in Winter)

This after years of trying various 12 volt batteries and controllers. I would never buy Lithium Batteries since I simply don't need them.

Plus, they are too expensive for my needs.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Statistical

It has become a religious crusade for him at this point. If I turned on the news and saw he had been arrested trying to blow up a lead acid battery factory it wouldn't be that surprising.

A wasted post Statistical.. it flew right over the subjects head..

[Fuss]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

We live on the hook about 6-7 months per year, moving on average every 3 days.
Our four golf cart batteries last an average of 8yrs and coupled with our 630W of solar and 100amp alternator work fine. They run our refrigerator /freezer, our separate freezer, all our lighting, stereo, TV, charge our phones and laptops, autopilot and other nav equipment, I can buy 4 new golf cart batteries for $120 Canadian dollarettes.

I see no valid reason to change.

Originally Posted by pcmm

As a fellow Canadian, I'd love to know where you can get 4 GC2's for $120!!! When I worked for the largest battery distributor in Canada, my employee price was $150 PER BATTERY! I could buy them at retail in a U.S. Sams club for $89 USD each. My bank cost me $320 for 4 once the core charge was factored in!

Hmm, Boatpoker, your compatriot and I have the feeling you are paying more for your golf cart batteries than Lifepo4….thats funny

[smj]

Originally Posted by thomm225

I've been adding maybe an ounce or two of water to my Golf Cart Batteries once a year for the past 3-4 years that I have owned them.

Very little maintenance is required.

I also have no shore power. Just solar of 115 Watts and a Victron MPPT Smart Controller. (65 Watts in Winter)

This after years of trying various 12 volt batteries and controllers. I would never buy Lithium Batteries since I simply don't need them.

Plus, they are too expensive for my needs.

Golf cart batteries are pretty much equal to or maybe more expensive than lithium when considering usable amp hours rating.

[Statistical]

Originally Posted by smj

Golf cart batteries are pretty much equal to or maybe more expensive than lithium when considering usable amp hours rating.

Yeah the LFP themselves are pretty cheap these days when you consider usable capacity and longevity. The part which may be free or very expensive is getting the rest of the charging sources LFP compatible (AC charger/inverter, alternator, solar charge controllers). Depending on how new that stuff is it is possible they are already ready and thus the additional cost beyond the batteries is nothing. On the other hand going to new inverter/charger, new solar charge controller, and new externally regulated programmable alternator is not exactly cheap.