Battery type

[h]

I am in the process of expanding my battery capacity from the original 150 AH to more like 450 AH.

The question I have is which battery type?

In reading this topic up, many recommend the Lifeline AGM type.

Anyone with comments? Both good and bad comment of certain installation appreciated.

[Dave Skolnick]

I have stuck with old-fashioned lead-acid batteries. The prices are lower and the life is good if you stay on top of the water level.

I do have a small gel battery for my dinghy since it is most likely to get knocked over.

[h]

Terri,

Lead and acid is all types really. But I think Dave is referring to the wet cell type with the holes on top to top up the distilled water.

The no maintenance type has no holes on top. Hence you can not add water even if you wanted to.

They work on the principle that in a closed system the water must recondense into the same place, Hence the water quantity never change.

Since you can not add water = no maintenance.

[Dave Skolnick]

Thanks Howard. Yes - I meant conventional wet cell or flooded batteries.

There are lots of good reasons for all the various sorts of batteries. Cost and life are often a factor. AGM and Gel batteries can both take and deliver charge at higher rates than flooded batteries. That makes lots of sense for applications like trolling motors and high-load inverter circuits.

The initial cost of flooded batteries is usually lower, they last a long time IF you keep up with maintenance, and a good battery box is a good idea to disperse gases from charging.

There is almost as much opinion about batteries as there is about anchors. *grin*

[zeehag]

i found my gel batteries only lasted 3-4 yrs while my wet ones lasted nearly 8....when properly cared for-----i prefer the ones that require maintenance---the non maintenance ones have ever only lasted me 5-6 yrs.......agree with dave as to numbers of opinions.....and i prefer cqr, so far......

[h]

Another restriction for battery type when you also race your boat, the racing rules specified sealed type.

A safer option in case of a knock down, I guess.

Worht considering if ever wanted to race in Cat 1 or 2 races.

[Nathaniel Poole]

increasing a battery bank involves more than adding more batteries. couple of things.

All batteries must be new/the same type. you shouldn't just add more.
at 450AH you should have at least 100 A alternator. will your auxiliary handle that? If running gels or AGM you should consider a 200A alternator as running engines to charge batteries is far more expensive than the cost of batteries.
you should have a smart three-stage voltage regulator.
If you change your alternator output you may have to change the gauge of your cables to the batteries to handle the current.