I need to replace my house batteries and was convinced I needed deep cycle AGMs plus a top quality charger. Lifelines come in at 600 per 105 amp hour so not much change out of $2K for plus a charger which would start at $600.

I was in a well known chandlery where a really helpful worker told me many of his live aboard mates are now using good quality VLRA car batteries because they:
1. are substantially cheaper
2. are not as prone to damage from less than ideal charging conditions
3. Don't need separate charging regimes for house and starting batteries. (added cost and complications of expensive chargers and dual systems)
4. In practise often last as long or longer (if you don't discharge them too deeply) than deep cycles because they don't get damaged as easily.

Even if I had less capacity and shorter life it still sounds like a convincing argument. The idea of a robust, simple system has great appeal and the cost savings are very persuasive.

Any thoughts?

Are those Golf cart batteries Uncle Bob?

HG02 said..
Are those Golf cart batteries Uncle Bob?

Yes, same size as trojan T105, 235 AH.

Wow that's good value Uncle Bob
Also those ex telstra batteries sound like amazing value sctpc
Thanks for the input
The only thing is I am convinced I need a totally sealed battery in case I end up upside down at some point
I was offered 4 100amp hour discovery gel batteries for $1100 this morning at a local battery shop which sounds pretty good ??

andy59 said...
Wow that's good value Uncle Bob
Also those ex telstra batteries sound like amazing value sctpc
Thanks for the input
The only thing is I am convinced I need a totally sealed battery in case I end up upside down at some point
I was offered 4 100amp hour discovery gel batteries for $1100 this morning at a local battery shop which sounds pretty good ??

there pretty good batteries to use
I looked at lithium batteries the other day $3000 400 amp hour far too much for my budget

G'day

When I was installing Solar systems I did some Houseboats and used Trojan T105's after 8 years they still Ok.
Just need to be careful not discharge them too deep.

Cheers

Colombo7E said..
G'day

When I was installing Solar systems I did some Houseboats and used Trojan T105's after 8 years they still Ok.
Just need to be careful not discharge them too deep.

Cheers

Thanks for that Colombo and a merry Xmas and a happy new year to you and your wife and that dog that like laying around.
My old Dad was a farmer he would say that Dog should be called "Sooner" and I asked him why
He said the dog would sooner lay down than work

www.aussiebatteries.com.au/deep-cycle/batteries-electrical/deep-cycle-batteries/AGM-deep-cycle-batteries

scruzin said..

andy59 said..
I need to replace my house batteries and was convinced I needed deep cycle AGMs plus a top quality charger. Lifelines come in at 600 per 105 amp hour so not much change out of $2K for plus a charger which would start at $600.

I was in a well known chandlery where a really helpful worker told me many of his live aboard mates are now using good quality VLRA car batteries because they:
1. are substantially cheaper
2. are not as prone to damage from less than ideal charging conditions
3. Don't need separate charging regimes for house and starting batteries. (added cost and complications of expensive chargers and dual systems)
4. In practise often last as long or longer (if you don't discharge them too deeply) than deep cycles because they don't get damaged as easily.

Even if I had less capacity and shorter life it still sounds like a convincing argument. The idea of a robust, simple system has great appeal and the cost savings are very persuasive.

Any thoughts?

I with you when it comes to getting totally sealed (VLRA) batteries. The last thing you need on board is batteries that vent hydrogen.

As for me, I'm just using Ultimate UL100 100Ah AGM batteries for both my 4 house batteries as well as my starter battery, purchased from Battery World.

Do you remember how much you paid scruzin?

I bought two 105ah AGM batteries on ebay for about $550 delivered to my place. They have been very good.
Going to Lord Howe we ran them down a bit with the fridge, lights, electric toilet, instruments etc. They recharged quickly and haven't been a problem.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VRLA_battery

Wanted to ask as I will need more batteries when I'm finished. How many amp hours would you need cruising Ive been thinking around 400 amp hours should do
for house batteries if I watch what I'm doing

I replaced my bank of 300ah of lifelines with 260 ah of Lithium LiFePo batteries.
The lithiums are lighter, smaller, have more useable AH per cycle and more total cycles, less voltage drop, quicker recharge and are probably cheaper when a whole of life costing is properly carried out.
Best thing I ever did as far as batteries are concerned, but maybe not for everyone.

Just had a thought I wonder if you could use batteries out of a Toyota Hybrid from a wreckers Ill check it out tomorrow

HG02 said..

HG02 said..
Just had a thought I wonder if you could use batteries out of a Toyota Hybrid from a wreckers Ill check it out tomorrow

I got a email back from one wrecker $1000 negotiable I still have not had time to see what there made of but I dont think there lithuim but Toyota recycle them
Don't even know the Capacity yet Ill check it out over the weekend
I have heard they can be bought for $700 + or - $100

do we know the dimensions yet or do i have to go-ogle it ?

LooseChange said..
early Prius batteries were about 270 volts ... current ones are about 200 volts .....they all require the special Prius computer controlled charger

There connected in series and your right just been reading there high voltage to much mucking around I think and
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Prius

I did find this
www.electriccarpartscompany.com/Lithium-Batteries--Boat-Marine-RV-Solar_c_151.html

www.mysailing.com.au/news/update-boat-batteries-from-lead-acid-to-lithium
After reading the last link it appear to me that you could reduce how many amp hours you need because of there efficiency?

I just installed 2 set of Century Battery - Marine Pro, MP730, 730CCA from BCF
deep cycle 100 A available.......believe they not true deep cycle just more resilient for discharge
Guess design to withstand saling conditions.
Allready tested with 80W solar as the only charge available.
Very happy with them.
Not sure what would justify to spend triple amount of money for true deep cycle bat.
if only advantage is deeper discharge / most charges don't like it anyway / .

Lithium batteries are af course superior compare to lead acid, I have some, they can supply
30 times rated current without damage.
They are strict rules charging and discharging.
Each cell / regardless/ how many are paraller must be charged individually to max 4.1 Volts
and temperature must be monitored too.
Discharge limitation af course apply too.

Watch which ones you playing with LiPo - LiFe - Li Ion, they not identical.