T&T: Starter Battery Selection

[Stephen Offutt]

Thanks to everyone for the benefit of experience both on and off list.  There
was a consensus (almost) that the Group 31 would make good starting batteries;
and that close monitoring and servicing are critical.

I will pick them up tomorrow morning.

Stephen Offutt
M/V Dutch Master
Heritage East 40, #-027
stephen@ourdutchmaster.com
cell: 361.244.4726

  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Stephen Offutt
  To: trawlers-and-trawlering@lists.samurai.com
  Sent: Friday, March 30, 2007 10:01 PM
  Subject: Starter Battery Selection


  Our new 1987 Heritage East has twin Perkins 135's.  The PO had installed two
4D Lifeline AGM batteries, one each per engine, for starting.  The batteries
are wired to a switch to parallel them for emergency start.  Each battery is
charged only by the engine alternator through it's dumb regulator.

  They are both shot,  one looks a little bulged on one end.

  I am replacing them and know that, for starting power,  I don't want deep
cycle or AGM's for all the reasons that Nigel Calder says.

  The question for advice from the List is; should the batteries described
below provide adequate starting power for the two 135's?

  I found Exide HP-31E Group 31 Marine Starting Batteries with CCA rating of
925 and MCA of 1050, with 160 min. reserve.  I think that these should supply
the starting power required by the engines.  They are wet-cell 'no
maintenance', but the cells are accessable for service through removable caps.
The price seems pretty good for $87 each.

  I had thought to add two small trickle chargers to provide float/trickle
charge to them off the the boat AC.

  By the way; the house battery bank has two 8D AGM's that are charged only by
the GenSet or Shore Power; another topic.

  Thanks for your thoughts,

  Stephen Offutt
  M/V Dutch Master
  Heritage East 40, #-027
  stephen@ourdutchmaster.com
  soffutt@sbcglobal.net
  cell: 361.244.4726