Starting Battery

Stu Jackson · February 15, 2009, 09:11:12 PM

There's gotta be places to buy Optima batteries other than (overpriced) marine store.

karista · February 16, 2009, 06:21:20 AM

I installed the DEKA Intimitator Group 34 AGM battery in the same place as you are planning to do. This battery fits perfectly, has a high 785 CCA, is sealed and can be mounted on a angle if so desired. The cost was less than the Optima price at Sams Club.

Susan Ray · February 17, 2009, 01:39:27 PM

Just curious where your starting batteries were before you all moved them to under the stern berth? My starting battery is in the port lazerette on the far forward side. Is this another PO change or were they put there only in '87?
Just wondering....

Stu Jackson · February 17, 2009, 01:49:10 PM

Susan, most folks added a small shelf in front of the starboard water tank. My PO put a shelf for two batteries under the forward seat of the U shaped dinette, so we have two batteries in the normal box and two up forward on that shelf -- 3 house batteries in one bank and the emergency reserve backup (not "start") battery . Others have put their emergency reserve backup battery under the aft cabin berth, thinking that a shorter run to the starter is better. My belief is that it doesn't matter if you size the wiring properly, but the difference is the cost of the wiring.

All extra battery "shelves" are owner installed, the factory does not do that, including yours, which is the very first I've heard of in that location - not a bad idea.

In fact, Catalina has not, until recently and only on their bigger boats as I understand it, bothered with separate emergency reserve banks at all, just putting two loathsome heavy 4Ds in and leaving owners to figure out how to make it right.

Hawk · February 17, 2009, 04:29:24 PM

Stu,
I know this may be going over old ground but given your characterization of your "start" battery as "emergency reserve", how do you use your battery selector switch?

I have the same battery configuration, that is, 3 house batteries in one bank (#2 on selector) and 1 Davidson 4D battery as a "start" or "reserve"(#1 on selector).
I tend to select "ALL" when starting the engine and run the engine on "ALL" which charges all batteries.
At anchor I turn the Selector to #2 when the engine is off. That way I figure I have the Davidson on #1 as a "start" or "emergency reserve".

It all seems to work but..................

Hawk

Stu Jackson · February 17, 2009, 04:54:55 PM

Hawk, please read replies #8 and #18 here: http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4623.15.html The two replies are on separate pages of the linked thread.

You would also do well to do a search on "1-2-B switch" for stuff with my name on it for much more information, but the two replies above summarizes it pretty well. Read the rest of the link, too. Check out the wiring diagram at the end, too. Also read the link in Reply #23 with the wiring diagram. That link includes additional discussion that I contributed at the www.catalinaowners.com website (see my Reply #21 there: http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=580988).

You most likely have the OEM "standard" of the alternator output going to the switch.

If you'd like more info, please let me know.

BOB FLEEGE · February 17, 2009, 05:34:53 PM

John, I am a new member of the Association...was intrigued by your statement that the Optima deep cycle can be charged at the flooded battery settings...all my house and start are Optima's. I am using Xantex..40 and 20 chargers...should I change my AGM settings to the flooded switch? I have used the Optima's exclusively for years and have wonderful service from them and when they fail Sam's replaces them usually at no charge...my oldest battery is my strart and it is a 2004...Thanks Bob Fleege

Stu Jackson · February 17, 2009, 05:47:50 PM

Bob,

Welcome again to the Association and here on the 'board.

The Xantrex True Charge manual is pretty poor on showing the charging voltages at various stages. I just read it and it doesn't have what you're looking for. As Jon noted, we learned this from reading the Balmar Max Charge manual, which has a table of charging regimens for each type of battery. Go to the Balmar website (www.balmar.net) and download and read the manual for the MC 612, which has that table on page 9 of 16 and you can compare the recommended voltages at bulk, absorption and float. They're identical except for a small difference at float, which I suggest is immaterial.

One question, why do you have two chargers? I''m intrigued.

Hawk · February 17, 2009, 06:08:19 PM

Thanks Stu.
I was afraid you'd say to reread all the earlier posts..............

Jon Schneider · February 17, 2009, 08:49:14 PM

Bob, here's the chart Stu found for me last year.

		Deep					Halogen
		Cycle				Standard	Voltage
	Universal	Flooded	Gel Cell	AGM	Optima	Flooded	Sensitive
Start Delay (Seconds)	45	45	45	45	45	45	45
Ramp Up (Seconds)	60	60	60	60	60	60	60
Bulk Voltage (Max)	14.10	14.60	14.10	14.38	14.60	14.40	14.00
Bulk Time (Minimum)	36 min.	36 min.	36 min.	36 min.	36 min.	36 min.	36 min.
Absorption Voltage	13.90	14.40	13.90	14.18	14.40	14.20	13.80
Absorption Time (Min)	36 min.	36 min.	36 min.	36 min.	36 min.	36 min.	36 min.
Float Voltage	13.42	13.35	13.70	13.38	13.40	13.40	13.50
Float Time (Maximum)	6 hr.	6 hr.	6 hr.	6 hr.	6 hr.	6 hr.	6 hr.
High Voltage Alarm	15.20	15.60	15.10	15.38	15.60	15.40	15.00

Welcome to the C34IA! Thanks for your support; it really helps.

dbpaul · February 17, 2009, 08:49:54 PM

There's gotta be places to buy Optima batteries other than (overpriced) marine store.

Stu
I picked up a Optima battery at COSTCO.....they had the RED,YELLOW and BLUE.

paulj

Michael Shaner · February 18, 2009, 10:16:44 AM

Guys...based upon Stu's chart, I'm not seeing a benefit to optima vs. flooded deep cycle...other than the ability to mount them in "adverse locations"...am I missing something?

Jon Schneider · February 18, 2009, 10:50:31 AM

The maintenance free, place in any position benefits are generic to AGM batteries. Optima just happens to have at least one extra benefit, which is that it acts like flooded-cell chemistry when it comes to charging requirements. It's the best of both worlds. I have to say that Optima is a little cagey about specs, but it sure feels like the most powerful compact battery I've ever used.

Stu Jackson · February 18, 2009, 10:55:04 AM

You're right Michael. Jim Moe's battery selection article discusses, as many have before and since, the differences in batteries and applications, it's here: http://www.c34.org/projects/projects-battery-selection.html

Jon Schneider · February 18, 2009, 12:13:28 PM

Stu's right about how great Jim's article is, but here's a much better location: http://www.c34.org/wiki/index.php?title=Electrical#Alternators_and_Battery_Chargers, which points you to the "Electrical" section of the Knowledge-wiki. You'll see his article listed in the "Battery" area, plus you'll be able to add your own comments and browse like articles.