Batteries of the B40

[Michael Cioffi]

Hey Folks

My batteries never seemed to take a full charge since I bought the boat new in 08. they are now setting of alarms within 30 minutes of cruise time. I'm going to change them out. any recommendations? cost isn't a factor as long as they last and can hold a charge for a few hours.

thanks

Mike Cioffi

[Bruce Bogdanoff]

I am also going to replace my batteries this summer in preparation for a 6 month cruise to the Bahamas. My batteries no fully hold their charge and am getting about a day and a half of normal use out of them before they nee to be recharged. I am looking at AGM's for my 4Ds. I also upgraded my alternator to 150 amp and a smart charger as well as added another 60 amp Xantrex battery charger to more quickly charge the 4ds when using the generator.

Bruce

[Michael Cioffi]

Hi Bruce

I nevber got that kind of time from mine. even when it was brand new. if the fridge is on i would maybe get six hours under sial before the alarm went off. I am also thinking about getting the AGMs and i like the idea of bumping up the alternator for quicker charging

[Bruce Bogdanoff]

I complained immediately to my dealer when my batteries would not sustain a two day useful period. They replaced the electrical wire from the battery witch to the panel from a #8 guage to a #6 guage.

I would also check the voltage at the batteries before assuming your panel meter is correct during charging and static before assuming the meter is reading properly. I have seen as mush as a .3 volt difference between the two. 

I suggest while charging to confirm the battery isolator is also doing its job of distributing the charge from the alternator.

Bruce

[Michael Cioffi]

Hmmm, interesting. I never thought of that. I would die for a 1 day useful period. I know my beneteau40 always had problems from the panel from day one and they changed it 6 times. and to this day I still don't get accurate readings on my water, fuel or batteries. I been reading the gauge at the helm which is always different then the panel. i have to think it may be a chraging problem since you are getting so much more time from yours although i do read 10.2-10.6 when i first get on the boat. i have been reading this since day one. they just dont seem to drop so quickly.

[Michael Cioffi]

I meant to say the drop so quickly

[James Taylor]

Michael

We own 2008 B43 with 2 4D Dekka agm's for house bank. The batteries are still going strong. Allow me to suggest the following;

1.) Install a dedicated battery monitor. The built-in voltage panel Beneteau installed with the boat will only give accurate battery voltage when the batteries have rested over a long period of time. Once you turn-on anything ( refrig, freezer, lights or whatever) the voltage panel is simply giving you the voltage across the system, not the batteries voltage.This also goes for the voltage reading you are getting in the cockpit from your Raymarine Graphic Repeater. A dedicated Battery Monitor will give you a very accurate and up to moment status of batteries.

2.) Make sure your battery charger is set to AGM to ensure the batteries are receiving proper charging voltages and stages of charge ( bulk, absorption and float). Our charger was set for single stage charging from factory at 13.4. We reset it to  AGM once we caught it.

3.) Check the cables attached to the batteries. Our house bank cable was loose (from factory) so the batteries either never got a proper charge, or they were not able to deliver power when needed due to the loose connection. The batteries indicated full but once we put a good load on them they were done for the day. Tightened cables, happy batteries.

4.) If your batteries have been abused and they are agm's they may very well need replacement but I would do all the above first to ensure they are kaput. Agm's like being charged and they last longer if you do not discharge them much below 80% but, even if you discharge them to 50% you should still receive good service life from them.

 With the two Dekka 4d's currently installed, we are able to stay on anchor, without charging for 24 hours with refrig, freezer, anchor lights and led lights through out. When they were new that's about all we would get and today that would be all we would get but, and it is a biggg but, this past winter we installed 2 140 watt Kyocera solar panels above our bimini and now we can stay on anchor, without charging for days or even weeks without charging. As long as sun is shining, we are golden. We monitor condition of batteries through Ah usage. Not sure how much longer these batteries will last but the solar panels gave us the freedom we were looking for. These boats are energy hogs but once you've addressed this issue and find your own resolution they are great.

We stayed on mooring in Annapolis 10 days with refrig, freezer, tv, computer, everything. We charged the batteries using the Honda generator and battery charger once during that entire 10 day stay. It had rained the previous day.

James

[Michael Cioffi]

Hi James

I love the idea of agm's but it seems everyone I ask advise me against them because we are on a mooring and wont have the time to fully charge them. but now understanding what you did  sounds brilliant. did you mount the panels to your bimini frame work? I guess you remove them in the winter and store them. when you get a moment maybe you can send me a picture of how that looks.

I love this idea.

631-838-6863 to text or [e-mail]

thnaks for all the info

[James Taylor]

Photo's attached

Had solar arch above bimini fabricated by local canvas shop. Panel/solar controller owner installation was very easy. Mine are mounted athwartship and fit very nicely between backstays. Aesthetically pleasing.

Only thing I don't like about agm's is price. Maybe you should talk with people who know how to maintain agm's properly before giving up on them. I think, buck for buck,they are vastly superior to other type lead acids and mine are approaching 5 years old and still going strong. The solar panels keep them "juiced" thus extending their lives.

No need to remove the panels or batteries during winter since the solar panels will keep the agm's happy as long as there is some sunlight. ( we are heading to Florida this winter).

All the Best!

James

[James Taylor]

No "shading" from boom and we can still use our bimini visor's to keep an eye on masthead

[Michael Cioffi]

awesome

Love it. the boat looks really good with this set up

[GaryG]

I, too, am unhappy with battery charging, and am giving serious thought to upgrading the alternator and regulator. Very interested to hear what others have done, since I don't want to strain the engine belt with too large an alternator. I have the 53hp Yanmar.

Everything I've read about AGMs is that the prime benefit is no need to add or check the water, and faster charging rates;  they don't have greater capacity than equivalent flooded batteries, and require more precise voltage when charging.  Take a look at the maine sail column in beneteauowners.net. 

http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/forumdisplay.php?f=135

[foster]

Hello,

I an other post on seaknots I had posted some pictures of  electrical improvements on a B43.

The Mastervolt Slimline AGM are still working perfectly. We also have a Mass Combi 2500/100A with the generator the charge is quick and to a 100%. We exceptionally go below 75% which is well monitored by the Mastervolt Easy system.

 

Hope this helps making the right choice. Before doing the upgrade I did some extensive research.

 

Fair winds to all.

 

Denis