Is it time to replace our 4D AGM Start Battery?
The 4D AGM "start battery" on our boat is ~7 years old now.
This single 4D AGM "Start battery" provides power for the:
- Engine starter - Cummins 330 hp diesel
- Engine Pre-heat
- Bow Thruster
- Windless
I am beginning to notice that when I use the bow thruster either leaving the
dock or when returning (pre-heat now off and battery fully charged) I am
seeing the Cummin's panel volt meter drop and getting a "low voltage" alarm
from the Cummin's panel. Power connections on the Bow thruster seem fin and
the motor was rebuilt (new brushes) in 2006.
Note - I have no problems starting the engine, although after starting and
running at 600-700 rpms the battery remains voltage dipped (no alarm) until
the pre-heat shuts off (~10+ min) or I bring the rpms up to ~1000 rpm to
allow the alternator to output some current.
While I do not have access to a Battery Tester that can verify the raw
amperage that the Start Battery can still deliver it would seem to me that
given the amperage required to run the Bow Thruster, a battery of such age
may no longer be capable of supply this kind of current, (possibly due to
increased internal resistance?).
Our House Bank with (2) 4D's in parallel seems fine since the load there is
much lighter (e.g. no high amperage devices)
So with this background in mind I would like to inquire:
-
What is reasonable life expectancy of a 4D AGM battery used under loads
like our Start Battery (just curious)? -
Given the symptoms described does this seem like a weak/aging Start
battery? -
When replacing a 4D AGM Battery, any recommendations on brands to either
go with or stay away from?I have been looking at a Lifeline GPL-4DA as a possible replacement
candidate...
As always, advice and insights from other who have experience in this area
will be appreciated.
Pete
Braveheart
I am very fond of Odyssey batteries. Their Group 31 Battery will
spin your Cummins like a top. Instead of a single 4D, I would
suggest another strategy. Put one Group 31 (or a PC1700) right next
to your engine and another right in the bow next to your
thruster. This will eliminate the voltage drop I am sure you are
seeing in the thruster and the windlass. Use your existing cable to
charge the battery in the bow through a combiner.
The specs are here
http://www.odysseybatteries.com/batteries.htm
Incidentally, Sears Diehard Platinum are identical the Odyssey
batteries, but a bit less expensive.
Best,
Steve
Pete
You might consider two 6 volt golf cart batteries, they have plenty of amps to
crank a diesel and would be better for your thruster.
I think two golf cart batteries will fit in a 4D box.
You would have to measure your 4D box to make sure they would fit but you
would have more amp hours and you would not have to lug another huge heavy
battery into the engine room.
From: pete@balkus.com> To: trawlers-and-trawlering@lists.samurai.com> Date:
Sun, 27 Jul 2008 18:56:59 -0400> Subject: T&T: Is it time to replace our 4D
AGM Start Battery?> > The 4D AGM "start battery" on our boat is ~7 years old
now. > > This single 4D AGM "Start battery" provides power for the: > - Engine
starter - Cummins 330 hp diesel> - Engine Pre-heat> - Bow Thruster> -
Windless> > I am beginning to notice that when I use the bow thruster either
leaving the> dock or when returning (pre-heat now off and battery fully
charged) I am> seeing the Cummin's panel volt meter drop and getting a "low
voltage" alarm> from the Cummin's panel. Power connections on the Bow thruster
seem fin and> the motor was rebuilt (new brushes) in 2006.> > Note - I have no
problems starting the engine, although after starting and> running at 600-700
rpms the battery remains voltage dipped (no alarm) until> the pre-heat shuts
off (~10+ min) or I bring the rpms up to ~1000 rpm to> allow the alternator to
output some current.> > While I do not have access to a Battery Tester that
can verify the raw> amperage that the Start Battery can still deliver it would
seem to me that> given the amperage required to run the Bow Thruster, a
battery of such age> may no longer be capable of supply this kind of current,
(possibly due to> increased internal resistance?).> > Our House Bank with (2)
4D's in parallel seems fine since the load there is> much lighter (e.g. no
high amperage devices) > > So with this background in mind I would like to
inquire:> > - What is reasonable life expectancy of a 4D AGM battery used
under loads> like our Start Battery (just curious)?> > - Given the symptoms
described does this seem like a weak/aging Start> battery?> > - When replacing
a 4D AGM Battery, any recommendations on brands to either> go with or stay
away from?> > I have been looking at a Lifeline GPL-4DA as a possible
replacement> candidate...> > As always, advice and insights from other who
have experience in this area> will be appreciated.> > Pete> > Braveheart >
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Pete,
From your symptoms, I think it's a very good bet that it's time to replace
your start/thruster battery. After 7 years, it certainly doesn't owe you
anything.
I agree that a pair of Golf-Cart sized AGM's would be a better buy than a
4-D. They will cost about the same, and have about the same capacity. But
at about half the weight each, they're a great deal easier and safer to
install. One injured back is far more costly than several sets of new
batteries. We men all get a bad back eventually. Do you want yours now, or
later?
Mark Richter, Mark's Mobile Marine
Lifeline (AGM) has some new 6volt batteries rated at 300AH - batteries are
about 2" taller than the 220AH versions. Just installed 4 of them for a
600AH 12volt bank. This replaced 4 group 31 Lifeline AGMs that were 7 years
old and still going.....
-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Richter [mailto:richter-pooh@rocketmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2008 4:10 PM
To: trawlers-and-trawlering@lists.samurai.com
Subject: Re: T&T: Is it time to replace our 4D AGM Start Battery?
Pete,
From your symptoms, I think it's a very good bet that it's time to replace
your start/thruster battery. After 7 years, it certainly doesn't owe you
anything.
I agree that a pair of Golf-Cart sized AGM's would be a better buy than a
4-D. They will cost about the same, and have about the same capacity. But
at about half the weight each, they're a great deal easier and safer to
install. One injured back is far more costly than several sets of new
batteries. We men all get a bad back eventually. Do you want yours now, or
later?
Mark Richter, Mark's Mobile Marine