batflatery

[bobbyb]

hi all
any tips on looking after my batteries when boat not in use for a wile.
thanks rob.........

[Noelm]

I guess it depends on how long it will be out of use, a GOOD battery will be OK for weeks and weeks, but a dickey one will be flat after 1 week, best advise if for extended period, is remove from Boat, connect up a "trickle" charger and your done.

[bobbyb]

thanks noalm.
lost 2 batteries now $$$$$$$$ they read 12 volts but when tested with hydroniter they read in poor condition. can any thing be done to them to fix them up 'new acid ect. would a solar pannel pluged in to the lighter socket be enough power to keep them alive? cheers rob.........

[trueblue]

make sure you have a proper marine deep cycle battery, and keep it charged.

[bobbyb]

is a deep cyle battery suitable for a cranking battery?

[lethal098]

bobby not reccomended but wont hurt it. if battery not being used reccomend chargin once a fortnight.

[bobbyb]

thanks guys but do you think a solar panel left on the boat all the time would keep the batteries ok?

[dnej]

bobbyb,
Firstly,do you use an isolation switch.If not ,that is a must.
I get around 6 years from my batteries.I use a float charger at home.
Simple direct plug on the fire wall, to the batteries.Plug in the charger,and leave the charger connected.
I also use a mega pulse,that was tested by CSIRO,to keep the sulphur under control.
See if I can get a pic for you
David

[cammobull]

If you are going to use the solar panels its is advisable to use a smart relay or a controller to charge the batteries. Otherwise the batteries are not getting a regulated voltage and current from the panel. An isloation switch is a must, using deep cycle batteris for cranking is not a good idea they are designed to run at a constant amperage for a long time (ie electronics). a lead acid is designed for cold cranking. There is product on the market that are called smart relays, they are designed for boats and 4wd, they can be set up to have a primary battery and a secondary battery, when your alternator or charger is running they will direct all the charge to your primary battery (your starting battery) then when that is charged it will direct the charge to your secondary battery, they can even have a provision for solar panel inputs to supplement the charge.
Hope this helps.

[Davey1]

Be careful what charger you get - if you put a charger on full time or one of those solar jobs without a controller you will eventually cook the battery. Get one of those charge and maintain jobs like in dnej's photo, it only tops up the battery when the battery needs it. I have one on an old car which is only driven a few times a year. The battery is always fresh & ready to go, battery has lasted 7 years so far on that system. Before that it used to chew through batteries, not good to leave them for long periods.

[bobbyb]

thank you guy.
im still learning and i dont think it will ever stop when it comes to boating. will look up on all your ideas.
much appreciated rob............

[Dignity]

bobby, good advice here, isolate your battery when not in use is one of the best. I use a 10 watt solar panel ($120 -$150) through a regulator (about $40) which you will need otherwise when the sun goes down your battery will try to feed power back to the solar panel, the reverse of what you are looking for. Not sure about the solar panel you are talking about - is it one of those that you supposedly put on the dash of your car. From memory these are only about 2watt which would keep a charged battery from discharging but would not do much else.

[NAGG]

Hey Bobbyb ....... Just use your boat more:P ;)

If you want to put some charge into your battery ..... make sure you use a smart charger ( 3 stage) ...... as they have a maintenance mode that wont fry your battery.

Battery wise ..... buy a better quality AGM / Gel type ( they will cost you though!!!!) ....... However they discharge slower ....... & can discharge to a lower level without the fear of damaging the battery .......... They will last for years when used in combination with a smart charger!

Nagg

[bobbyb]

cheers nagg. thanks 4 the imfo.........

[swampman62]

trickle charge I use INOX addative
if used from new battery inox doubles the battery warranty
if battery is dickie it may or may not help [destiled water only]
if it fits in your car 4x4? and inox try for a week
remember NEVER leave a battery on the bare concrette
its quickest way to kill it

[bobbyb]

thanks swanpman will give it a go.
cheers rob..............

[phewy]

remember NEVER leave a battery on the bare concrette
its quickest way to kill it

Maybe if you had a battery made in the early 1900's when the casings were made of wood or rubber. Todays battery's with their plastic (poly, thank god for poly!) casings are different. Try googling battery+concrete+floor and see.

Tho most people will still stick with pops and great pops advice and words of wisdom from the good ol' days, but technology does evolve guys.

8-)

[bobbyb]

hi phewy
not sure what your saying there but have nothing but respect for the oldies
i know im turning into one. ha ha ha cheers rob..............

[Davey1]

Glad someone asked the question. How could concrete affect a battery through a water proof & rust proof plastic casing?

[MyWay]

bobbyb
u also could bay smart charger u can pick up one anywhere from $300 to $500 al depends on brand.
Smart charger can be connected to your battery for years u don't have to disconnect . When is battery is fully charged it will stop it self when battery drop voltage will star it self
or you could just try to use boat more often :)

[bobbyb]

thanks phewy . it morning and i understand what your talking about.

(note to my self) stay away from computer when pissed.........

anyway going to poona today check out the new block of land (huge shed)

and some fishing spots. cheers rob............

[bobbyb]

hi myway .
will look up smart chargers. cheers...............

[blackjack]

blackjenny here

couldn't sleep so read the forum and the post about the smart charger for the battery in the wee, wee hours as you do LOL:zzz:

MyWay is this the kind of thing?

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/SMARTCHARGER-12V-10AMP-AUTO-3-STAGE-BATTERY-CHARGER_W0QQitemZ300233587907QQihZ020QQcategoryZ10 2807QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l 1262

or there is a 21AMP for more money. what is the difference?

also, can anyone tell me if this battery is OK for our 5.5M Seafarer
Ventura? gotta get a second battery

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/12v-100AH-850cca-DEEP-CYCLE-MARINE-AGM-BATTERY-SEALED_W0QQitemZ300233265318QQihZ020QQcategoryZ102 807QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


scuse ignorance, but if the battery has a solar capacity, what does that mean? anyone? do you have to put it in the sun :hammer:

Jenny

Jack's still snorin' the dirty swab!

[MyWay]

blackjenny here

couldn't sleep so read the forum and the post about the smart charger for the battery in the wee, wee hours as you do LOL:zzz:

MyWay is this the kind of thing?

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/SMARTCHARGER-12V-10AMP-AUTO-3-STAGE-BATTERY-CHARGER_W0QQitemZ300233587907QQihZ020QQcategoryZ10 2807QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l 1262

or there is a 21AMP for more money. what is the difference?

also, can anyone tell me if this battery is OK for our 5.5M Seafarer
Ventura? gotta get a second battery

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/12v-100AH-850cca-DEEP-CYCLE-MARINE-AGM-BATTERY-SEALED_W0QQitemZ300233265318QQihZ020QQcategoryZ102 807QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


scuse ignorance, but if the battery has a solar capacity, what does that mean? anyone? do you have to put it in the sun :hammer:

Jenny

Jack's still snorin' the dirty swab!

yep that is one . But i would get this one before as this one seats on lover voltage 13.2v http://cgi.ebay.com.au/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300232693048
also cheaper and i did not see this brand before as is many out there today
10a or 21a deference in price 21a will be more use in work shop to charge few batteries at once and quick
if 10a takes 6h to recharge flat battery 21 a will take only 2 or 3 h
just check ones at your local repco and talk to guys they should give some help
cheers myway

[Davey1]

The current Supercheap catalogue has a battery maintainer charger for $36 that will do the job fine.

[blackjack]

hey Myway and Davey

jenny here. jack's watchin the knights go round at the footy

thanks for those answers guys

will get into a battery shop and have a better look

still need an explanation about the solar thing if anyone's got the time/info

"scuse ignorance, but if the battery has a solar capacity, what does that mean? anyone? do you have to put it in the sun http://www.ausfish.com.au/yabbfiles/Smilies/hammer.gif"


much appreciated :ears:

[bobbyb]

http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/boatpicshi all.
after getting the goods on looking after my batteries of a lot of ausfishers i done a bit of sniffing around and come up with, smart-logix. the specs read
perfect for the job(i think) and only $100 bucks at k-mart for the 16 amp one.
worst comes to worst can always return it if not happy. would have preferred solar butt for the money worth a shot.
couple of pics of the box, hope they are clear enough to read......


cheer rob.......................sorry can,t get pics for some reason.

not very good on this contrapion.......

[bobbyb]

pics i hope....

[Benny1]

Rob,

Check this site out they have some good gear.
www.solarxpress.com.au (http://www.solarxpress.com.au)
They can probably help you with some more info. Good luck!