Andt The Fiddler

Make you all smile, in the nick of time - new batteries due tomorrow. This evening can't watch DVD! Fortunately the LED lighting seems very forgiving so I'm not sat in the dark

Thanks again I've finally decided to get: - 3 x 110Ah Lucas Batteries - one as starter two as domestic. The charger should be OK - not too strong - it does stepped charging based on absorption (so it says) Victron Centaur. I will remember to reset the monitor - I do this whenever I can guarantee 100% charge, 24 hours in a marina or after a full day cruising. My only worry is that the bank may be at the bottom end of the capacity for the charger but I think that will be OK. We should have enough power for the odd bit of inverting fro PC printing, again Laptops are charged when cruising sometimes 240 volt use is very low. I will continue to monitor for some time to come. I opted for the 'ordinary' sealed battery agains AGM or Gel as the cost implications set against battery life and reliability didn't really add up. I would hope this is the last you'll hear from me on this one as a problem and future posts will be positive isn't it great - but then this is a boat :-)

Yup, Night before last it registered 11.02 volts after 24 hours and 46amps so I think the batteries are defunct. I am now into the advantages of Gel against AGM and lead acid and yes a much smaller bank - 40 amps per day allowing a safety factor of 40 amps = 80 amps to discharged therefore I am proposing to get 2 batteries for the main bank ASAP so any thoughts much appreciated. I see there is another thread on this - I will go an look at that now. As a precaution I will change the starter battery at the same time. Big thanks to all, it helps to have an informed sounding board.

Hi all, thanks for your comments, I have continued to monitor the situation..... The way one does. After watching a movie on the Ipad and TV last night the readings at 2300 were 12.4v and 15.4 amps used showing 98.1% on the dial. This morning at 0900 12.02v 30.1 amps used 96.5% I'd have to get the manual out but I think the % charged is based on the size of the bank 550Ah and not purely the voltage held - the two are obviously linked. The fridge when running uses about 5 amps - I checked, currently it is set very low (circa no 2) and is on a lot - though this could be yet another 'red herring' The batteries are coming up 3 years old and though technically still in warranty we all know about battery warranties I assume! My debate is really if it is the batteries do I get a smaller bank as we are pretty much a 12V environment and use normally 30 > 40 Amps per day. so a pair of 'good' 110Ah might (should) suffice. Your thoughts on all of this have been much appreciated, I know the boat wiring inside out btw and don't disagree with any of your comments.

Just checked the battery terminals and connections back to the Victron Charger, all nice and clean and tight. Also checked the monitor again, @ 1700hrs 98.9% 12.57 volts 9.6Ah used (starter at 12.84v) I note the comments on the wiring and 12v system, this has been ok forever but the symptoms resemble those experienced last time the battery bank went down. With only the fridge in use, on a low setting, we have used nearly 10 amps in 6 hours, that is more than I would expect - yes? I don't want to replace either if there is no need or if there is I want to replace the one that needs replacing. If both then both.... Though I am dubious about the size of the bank, is there any benefit to it, I've never had it down to 50%!!!

Just looked back at this thread. Thanks for all the advice. In the end we were outflanked by the closure of the Wolverhampton flight. We had to get to Warwick, so from Nantwich it was down almost to Wolverhampton, (auth early junction) back up (felt like almost to Stoke on Trent) Haywood Junction - then back down to Warwick. Heavy long days because of the extra miles and need to meet a train! Serious disappointment too.

Ok, I'll check my battery terminals. I have a victron bmv 6025 Just checked again - am on the boat now! 1530 - 99.1% 12.64 volts 7.3Ah used - again Olathe fridge on. The starter battery - same age same spec is showing 12.84 volts.

A perennial problem. I have 5 110Ah domestic and 1 110Ah starter battery. Yesterday I charged them with the generator as normal at about 1600hrs. Later in the evening when watching a movie on DVD (TV) the water pump cut in and the TV screen went black. I checked the monitor 98% charged but 12.5 volts. Today I have charged them from the engine, as we moved the boat. At 1102hrs they were at 100% with 13.12 volts showing At 1425hrs they were at 99.4% with 12.51 volts showing and 5.5 Ah having been used. We were out between the readings and the on,y load was the 12volt fridge which is about 12 years old. It doesn't add up in my book. So I have two thoughts, 1) is the battery bank filing (after about 3 years)? 2) is the fridge draining the batteries? Our lighting is LED. We rarely use the inverter. I know I can rely on you guys for much input including - do I need such a big bank with only LED lighting, a TV and a fridge Plus ipad, phone charging etc?

We are currently planning our 2013 cruising which could include passing through Birmingham. We have heard many stories about how dangerous it is. Please can anyone offer help and guidance - or discuss, we shall be watching? Andy

Right lots to digest here, And thanks to all for looking at the schematic. Other Notes: - I tend to keep the inverter switched off unless I need 240V without the generator. The negatives go back to a negative block and the hull is not used as a return path. I am watching lots at present and last night noticed that the (12V) Freezer is not cutting in and out - so this could be a 15A drain on the batteries permanentaly and possibly be a major part of the problem? I checked out the old system with an AMT Gold IBT when I first noticed the problem, last calibrated April 2011 so I was confident those batteries had seen better (much better) days. I have to give this back soon! Other than a correct technical solution I am now looking at getting the best life span form the new batteries, reliability & ease of use on the boat generally - these I would hope are indeed the same thing. Once more thanks again and please keep it coming I will be reviewing my next move today. I am currently sitting here with the Generator running to keep things topped up if I am using 15A per hour on the freezer this is less than 10 hours per battery? The domestic battery bank is currently 4 x 110 Ah I have one more 110 Ah battery to add to this. The starter is 1 x 110 Ah. Andy

Hi all, I am hoping you guys (and gals) will come up with some suggestions or tell me everything is Ok? I've just had to changed my batteries after only 2yrs and 5 months, a costly excersise as we all know. Last time they were changed I also had to change the mains charger to a Victron Centaur. I have put my schematic at My Schematic so you can all have a look and see how it is all configured. Basically the question is - have I got it right - could it be better - am I risking overcharging the batteries from the alternator - The Centaur should sense the absorbtion and cut back charging????? Any helpful comments would be appreciated - I was an Architectural assistant in real life, then an IT geek, before I retired and am a tad wary of engineering aspects such as this, I know basic theory but detail knowledgfe is limited and errors are probable. Thanks in anticipation Andy

Ah no - point taken but last night I ran the generator having split the battery bank and charged the started battery to 81 Ah and one of the domestic bank too. I also ran a separate charger on one of the other batteries to 75 ah. This morning the separate one was showing the same 75 ah The starter (unused since last night) 4 ah and the domestic connected was not running the lights and the fridge! So I think they are knackered - to put it in the vernacular.... After two years.... pants!

Wow, good topic, I have just ordered a set of new batteries for my boat - 110 ah sealed Teh old ones only lasted 2 years and I am a bit upset by this - I suspect it is because we moved out of a marina where they were on permananet charge and shore power and have now worked them hard - 3 weeks ago drained them quite considerably! I can still start the generator and the boat but one battery which showed 75 Ah last night would not drive the lights htis morning! So the question really is can you overcharge them? In theory my victron centaur should not overcharge them? In theory the alternator on the engine can? Any words of wisdom that might help? £500+ on batteries every two years is a bit of an unexpected expense! Andy

Hi all, I cam up Hanwell on Wednesday / Thursday last week, all OK. I am hoping to go down again on Wednesday this week (or Tuesday) and then on to the Thames. It is getting on to the Thames that worries me.... Waht is the tide like turning 67 feet on to the Thames - I plan to get through the Brentford lock as early as possible before afternoon high water. Any answers? Teh guide I have details coming down to Brentford and joining the tideway going down not up! Can I just turn out form Brentford. Thanks all in anticipation. Andy

Well I take your point but with an internal engine room it seemd a good idea, boat safety suggests it as such too! My last Elecsols with a 5 year guarantee did about that so close that it is not worth arguing the toss with elecsol - especially after some of the posts I have read on the subject. This week I hope to install the new charger! Phew - at last. Andy