My original batteries (2005) are bad. I want to replace them with AGM. I'm looking at Deka 8A4DM (200AH) and 8A8DM (245AH). I do not have a dedicated starting battery so these two will be my "house" and "starting" power and will be controled by my 1-2-Both switch. My boat will never leave the Chesapeake (at least with my wife on board) and we usually stay in marinas with shore power. We will only anchor out 4-8 times per year and will use our GPS, Auto Pilot, instruments, refriderator, lights, etc while sailing and during our anchor nights out. Any comments would be appreciated especially regarding AH & physical dimensions. Suggestions welcome.
20.75" L x 8.5" W x 10" H (8A4DM)
20.75" L x 11" W x 10" H (8A8DM)
Thank you.
Richard Ad
Battery Replacement: AGM 200AH vs 245AH
Moderator: KenKrawford
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Re: Battery Replacement: AGM 200AH vs 245AH
Richard,
I'm of the opinion that you can never be too thin, too rich or have too many amp hours. If there isn't a significant cost difference, I'd go with the bigger batteries. I just installed a set of 4 Trojan T-105's. They are 11"L x 7"W x 12"H. I had about 1 1/2" of length to spare and probably 4" of width to spare so you should have plenty of room.
Good luck with your project.
I'm of the opinion that you can never be too thin, too rich or have too many amp hours. If there isn't a significant cost difference, I'd go with the bigger batteries. I just installed a set of 4 Trojan T-105's. They are 11"L x 7"W x 12"H. I had about 1 1/2" of length to spare and probably 4" of width to spare so you should have plenty of room.
Good luck with your project.
Ken Krawford
Message Board Moderator
C350 # 351
Lake Lanier, GA
Message Board Moderator
C350 # 351
Lake Lanier, GA
Re: Battery Replacement: AGM 200AH vs 245AH
I took the 4D and combined them on bank one. Reason being I found 220amp hrs 110 usable puts the batteries down about 50% overnight. Thats a pretty deep discharge, I prefer a 25% discharge, not as hard on the batteries. Combined you have400+ amp hrs total, 200+ usable and 100 amp hr discharge is only 25%. The batteries will thank you. I threw a back up starter battery in the 2 bank position and its never been used. There is my 1 1/2 cents.
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Re: Battery Replacement: AGM 200AH vs 245AH
Yodagwb: Thank you for your response. I was on the boat today (Annapolis) and your 1 1/2 cents is exactly the system I decided to go with. Everyone I talked to thinks AGM's, for the money are an over kill for sailing on the Chesapeake. Using two 4D's (190 AH x 2 batteries = 380AH) and one $100.00 dedicated starting battery which has better cranking power that will really make my house batteries happy is the system I'm going with. Therefore, two 4D's plus a starting battery for a total of $400.00 that will last 4 years is better than 2 4D AGM's at $360.00 each and one AGM starting battery for $180.00. $400.00 vs $900.00....... I'll check the water level and trickle charge a few time in the winter.
Re: Battery Replacement: AGM 200AH vs 245AH
I too replaced the 4D batteries with 6 volt golf carts. 4 Trojan T125's fit nicely in the same space as the 2 - 4D's but give you almost 100 more amp hours (important if you spend a lot of time at anchor). Other than wiring the 6 volts in series then combining them to make one house bank it is a simple installation. The other plus is the 6 volts each weigh a LOT less than a 4D and are much easier to take out and install in that space without giving yourself a hernia. Either way combining the batteries to make one house bank and having a seperate start battery IMO is the way to go.