Trojan Boat Forum

P-Dogg wrote:People will tell you that it is heresy, but I use deep cycle batteries for my engine starting batteries, which also power my house loads.

I changed the group 27 starting batteries to group 29 deep cycle from Wally World, which are the biggest ones that would fit in my box (without modifying it too much). I run a few house loads off of them while at anchor overnight, like my anchor light, and reading lights. I do not run an inverter or anything with a high current draw. I'll run the generator for maybe 30 minutes before bed to cool-off the fridge, which brings the battery charger online to top-off the batteries too. In the morning the batteries are still fine. While the alleged not-for-starting batteries do a fine job of, well, starting their associated engine with no problem, as a matter of course I use the emergency start feature to parallel the batteries when cranking. By paralleling them, each sees half the draw they would otherwise. It should be noted that if I was cranking big diesels my thoughts would be different. For the last two years, my deep cycle batteries have cranked my small block V-8s just fine. Since it never sees house loads, I have a bona fide starting battery on my generator.

ready123 wrote:

vickyb wrote:The batteries in my boat are not originals.. I have twin Merc 260's...Not sure what batteries I need for that. One site says: 375 cca/475 mca/90 Ah
Which of these batteries would be equivalent?: http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/search-re ... ne+battery
Not sure if Canadian Tire is a good option for getting these batteries. Only reason is its more accessible to me vs a Marine Store.

Right now I would use this one, buy two one for each engine if it were me.
http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/group ... -VxCvldWSo
That will cover you for the day trip excursions you described then at a later date you can put in a dedicated deep cycle circuit for the fridge, stereo and any other heavier load while out.

Where are you located?

P-Dogg wrote:People will tell you that it is heresy, but I use deep cycle batteries for my engine starting batteries, which also power my house loads.

I changed the group 27 starting batteries to group 29 deep cycle from Wally World, which are the biggest ones that would fit in my box (without modifying it too much). I run a few house loads off of them while at anchor overnight, like my anchor light, and reading lights. I do not run an inverter or anything with a high current draw. I'll run the generator for maybe 30 minutes before bed to cool-off the fridge, which brings the battery charger online to top-off the batteries too. In the morning the batteries are still fine. While the alleged not-for-starting batteries do a fine job of, well, starting their associated engine with no problem, as a matter of course I use the emergency start feature to parallel the batteries when cranking. By paralleling them, each sees half the draw they would otherwise. It should be noted that if I was cranking big diesels my thoughts would be different. For the last two years, my deep cycle batteries have cranked my small block V-8s just fine. Since it never sees house loads, I have a bona fide starting battery on my generator.

The book that I recommended in an earlier PM covers a lot of what you are addressing.

vickyb wrote:Hello Michael,
Not sure if I have a 2 bank charger but maybe I do because on my power panel in the galley, I have a gauge with a toggle switch for Battery 1 and Battery 2. Battery 1 is hooked up to Starboard side battery, Battery 2 to Port side NOW, it wasnt when I bought the boat and the wires were just hanging loose.... does that mean I have a 2 bank charger?