House battery

[Nabba1]

Hi guys

I know it has been asked previously (i did do a search) however was a while ago.

Wondering if any one could point me in the right direction of a house battery (deep cycle) with regards to brand and size etc?

I have just bought a Northbank 600C and in the process i have decided for the first time to setup the batteries with a house and starter. Don't have a electric motor or winch, however may get a winch soon. Do run electric reels from time to time. Rest is standard gear for a 6m boat.

Any thoughts appreciated.
Thanks
Scott

[ranmar850]

I have used Fullriver 105a/hr deep cycles for about 10 years now. The first one went off somewhere else, but the oldest of the current pair I am using in my camper could be as old as 9 years( at least 8), the other one is a year younger . They are still doing quite well, I'm going to have them load tested next week for interests' sake. I'll be fitting one to my boat (6.4m Caribbean) as the house battery when the current battery dies. I went with two start batteries when I fitted it out, with the idea of swapping them between Start and House roles each year, but they don't hold up really well as house when you are camping engine off and no sun for long periods, so I'll go deep cycle house next time.
I am running two MFD's, an anchor winch, live well, fridge, and even a capstan craypot winch at times, so House gets some use.

[Out-Station]

Nabba, so much good stuff out there now i recon its hard to go wrong with solid reputable brands. I think its important you work out what exactly your asking for, are you looking for a specialised deep cycle jobby that can do the job of an ermergencey start if required or are you looking for one of the many dual purpose rated batteries. I like victron for specialist deep cycle while i recon those new north stars look like a pretty good thing for dual purpose.

Also depends a bit what sought of circuitry you have. To get the best out of a specialist deep cycle you really need separate start and house circuits IMO, crossable for emergency start. If the whole rig is running on a single circuit but 2 batteries your probably better to run 2 dual purpose jobs, this my thoughts anyway.

Scott



I

[scottar]

Anchor winch usually isn't an issue - usually only used with the engine running and are actually powered by the start batteries on a lot of boats. The type of house battery you need will, to a point, be determined by your electrical loading and your usage patterns. Someone who simply day trips won't require the same as someone who camps out for a few days - load dependent of course. I run a pair of Supercharge MFM70's which are a starting battery but will tolerate partial discharge to a point and mainly day trip with the very occasional overnighter so they handle it ok. Depending on your battery budget, the next step up would be something like a Supercharge All rounder. Still a wet cell but built to tolerate cycling a bit better. Then would be deep cycles like the Full River as Ranmar mentioned. Just make sure that whatever you choose for the house also has enough grunt to function as an emergency start.

[Nabba1]

Thanks for the replys.

To clarify a couple of things, setup will be separate circuits with a VSR to allow charging of the house when needed.

Plan would be to use the house as an emergency start so those Full River Batt's look good.

thanks again

[ranmar850]

Thanks for the replys.

To clarify a couple of things, setup will be separate circuits with a VSR to allow charging of the house when needed.

Plan would be to use the house as an emergency start so those Full River Batt's look good.

thanks again

Thats what i am using, VSR with emergency bridge switch. Easy system to manage--only problem I ever had was the VSR failing, which meant the House stopped charging, so i just closed the bridging switch and ran it like an old style Both until i could get a new VSR.

[NAGG]

yep - go VSR with an isolation switch ....... If you starting battery is good the VSR will switch over quickly & be pumping juice into the house battery . .

As for batteries ...... skip lead wet acid batteries & go AGM ...... these things are robust , maintenance free .... & worth the $150 more ...... & as a house battery ...... will last you a decade if combined with a VSR . Brands ..... It really doesn't matter much but hey go with the known brands ..... .....

Chris

[scottar]

Check and see if your outboard has a dual charging output capability. Does away with the VSR. Also a good idea to make sure you have a way of watching that both banks are charging - either a dual readout voltage gauge or make sure you can display voltage on your electronics for the house bank. The engine instrumentation should take care of the start bank.