House Bank
Apr 11, 2012 10:23:35 GMT
Post by minnewaska on Apr 11, 2012 10:23:35 GMT
My house bank on my 54DS is factory original and 8 years old. Embarrassing as it is, I had thought they were AGM batteries and just realized they are Gel.
I was hoping a quick swap out was all that was necessary, but changing to AGMs has charger and alternator issues.
First, sizing. It seems that four Group 31s will fit perfectly, but no more. If anyone has a suggestion on how to cram more amp hours into that very snug battery compartment, I would appreciate hearing it. However, I was leaning toward just reusing existing cables. For a smart upgrade, I would redo them.
Several have suggested ganging two 6v pairs, which would clearly require new cables. The longevity argument is appealing, but the amp hr increase was nominal.
Then the big question is the charger and alternator. First, I had no idea exactly what the output of my Volvo alternator is. I wrote to Gilles at Jeanneau USA and he said it was 80amp. That's plausible, since I have dual pulleys. However, when I looked up the Volvo TAMD31 parts list, they don't list an 80 amp. They list 50, 60 and 130. I don't think you would need dual pulleys for the 50 or 60 and it sure would be nice to think it was really a 130. No idea how to know for sure.
Because the AGMs can take a continuous high bulk charge, you typically need a regulator to keep the alternator from burning out. Recall that I thought I was already set up for AGMs. Now I have no bloody idea whether there is an appropriate stock regulator. I've also been rationalizing that I rarely leave anchor, and never leave the dock with heavily discharged mains.
At the slip, I charge with a Xantrex Feeedom 25 invertor/charger. It does have an AGM setting, so I hope I'm okay there. However, will the stock Cristec charger, which is still installed as a backup (not turned on) work on AGMs? Apparently they don't make the model from 2004 any longer for me to research.
Finally, I was going to use Lifeline Group 31s and am being steered to Odyssey 31s instead. The later look intriguing, but I'm reading that they take such a high charge., which can be a good thing, that you need to be very careful you don't burn out the alternator or charger. They also have a good warranty, but it is subject to using an alternator with the appropriate voltage output. Again, I have no idea what mine does.
That leaves me with needing to be very clear on what was stock.
Any and all help would be appreciated.
I was hoping a quick swap out was all that was necessary, but changing to AGMs has charger and alternator issues.
First, sizing. It seems that four Group 31s will fit perfectly, but no more. If anyone has a suggestion on how to cram more amp hours into that very snug battery compartment, I would appreciate hearing it. However, I was leaning toward just reusing existing cables. For a smart upgrade, I would redo them.
Several have suggested ganging two 6v pairs, which would clearly require new cables. The longevity argument is appealing, but the amp hr increase was nominal.
Then the big question is the charger and alternator. First, I had no idea exactly what the output of my Volvo alternator is. I wrote to Gilles at Jeanneau USA and he said it was 80amp. That's plausible, since I have dual pulleys. However, when I looked up the Volvo TAMD31 parts list, they don't list an 80 amp. They list 50, 60 and 130. I don't think you would need dual pulleys for the 50 or 60 and it sure would be nice to think it was really a 130. No idea how to know for sure.
Because the AGMs can take a continuous high bulk charge, you typically need a regulator to keep the alternator from burning out. Recall that I thought I was already set up for AGMs. Now I have no bloody idea whether there is an appropriate stock regulator. I've also been rationalizing that I rarely leave anchor, and never leave the dock with heavily discharged mains.
At the slip, I charge with a Xantrex Feeedom 25 invertor/charger. It does have an AGM setting, so I hope I'm okay there. However, will the stock Cristec charger, which is still installed as a backup (not turned on) work on AGMs? Apparently they don't make the model from 2004 any longer for me to research.
Finally, I was going to use Lifeline Group 31s and am being steered to Odyssey 31s instead. The later look intriguing, but I'm reading that they take such a high charge., which can be a good thing, that you need to be very careful you don't burn out the alternator or charger. They also have a good warranty, but it is subject to using an alternator with the appropriate voltage output. Again, I have no idea what mine does.
That leaves me with needing to be very clear on what was stock.
Any and all help would be appreciated.
