Battery Options

[DS1570]

I've got a Cobra with a pair of elderly batteries in dire need of replacing, one for starting, one for house.

Am I correct in reading that the 'Leisure' type batteries are the way to go for both?

Thanks in advance.

[treerat]

That's my understanding, and always found a caravan / agricultural supplier cheaper then any marine supplier.

[Limecc]

Originally Posted by DS1570

I've got a Cobra with a pair of elderly batteries in dire need of replacing, one for starting, one for house.

Am I correct in reading that the 'Leisure' type batteries are the way to go for both?

Thanks in advance.

I'd have one of each and not AGM as they don't handle abuse as well as regular SLA type. More important to get quality ones with low internal resistance spec as this only rises with age.
http://batteryfaq.org/

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by DS1570

I've got a Cobra with a pair of elderly batteries in dire need of replacing, one for starting, one for house.



Am I correct in reading that the 'Leisure' type batteries are the way to go for both?



Thanks in advance.

Depends on several factors, what engine/s you have, what your “house” load is, how deep your pockets are.
I wouldn’t put a leisure battery on as starter battery for a large engine, leisure batteries aren’t designed to deliver high loads for short periods. Conversely, starter batteries aren’t designed to deep discharge. I have a starter battery & a “house” battery with a 1+2 isolator switch.

[DS1570]

Thanks for the input.

It's a 225 Yamaha. The House stuff is not high demand and no fancy amplifiers or anything like that. Existing House battery is 45ah.

The main battery is a 70ah with a CCA of 830.

[Jon Tallis]

To add to what Pikey Dave said.
Marine Leisure batteries are as Dave said a kind of compromise battery that needs to cover both House and Starting duties.
If you have an engine/house setup then much better to install a specific engine starting battery on the engine position as it'll have much better cold cranking capacity.
Leisure type is ideal as a house battery.
Having a battery switch that allows you to select 1,2,both (and "off" obviously)is definitely a good idea to prevent you flattening the engine battery when your engine is not running, or boosting it from your house battery when you do.
Rolls Royce solution is fully dedicated house and engine circuits with an emergency "jumper" isolator, but now we're getting complicated!

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Jon Tallis

….
Rolls Royce solution is fully dedicated house and engine circuits with an emergency "jumper" isolator, but now we're getting complicated!

Pretty much a standard setup tbh. I have 2 Optima batteries, one is a dedicated starter battery, the other is the house battery. There’s a Blue Sea VSR between them & a 1+2 battery switch. The engine is connected to the starter (obviously) & the house is on the VSR. As soon as the starter battery is charged, the VSR closes & charges the house battery. In an emergency I can combine the 2 batteries with the 1+2 isolator.
Paradoxically, the starter battery is a smaller capacity than the house battery, but has higher CCA.

[DS1570]

Ok thanks, I've got a plan forming.

System has a VSR, individual isolators and an emergency parallel option so it's well set up.

I think what I need (1 Starter, 1 Leisure) from brands I recognise will come in at sub £200 total so could be worse.

Appreciate all the help.

[GuyC]

My set up has three Optima Blue Tops (BT), which are good for either starting or deep cycle. Two of the BT's are connected in parallel for the starter (it's a diesel). They operate through a Blue Sea ACR.

My isolator is just an on or off and I can't combine the batteries which may turn out to be a mistake.

Sadly not sub £200 though

https://www.tayna.co.uk/marine-batte...tima/8052-188/

https://www.bluesea.com/products/761...12_24V_DC_120A

https://www.bluesea.com/products/551...Battery_Switch

[Sutty]

I have always used Varta dual purpose and I am starting a 5.3 litre V8 on my splash dish. Always the best price is from Tayna batteries or Plymouth Battery Centre

[neil.mccrirrick]

Plus 1 for blue sea. Great solution and not a daft price

[jeffstevens763@g]

I used duel cycle batteries for my rib

[beamishken]

Personally I've never seen much benefit from expensive batteries my rib I just fit a standard lead acid start battery of a decent size & they last prety well. My cruiser has 4 batteries in 3 banks two leisure batteries for the house system & 1 automotive start battery for each diesel engine & a jump start solenoid in case one engine battery goes flat. 9 years on the start batteries are original but the house batteries were replaced 5 years ago. My previous cruiser had 3 automotive start batteries, two wired to one engine & the house system & the other to the 2nd engine. 5 years in our ownership & never any issues.
If I was in the ops shoes I'd probably fit a standard automotive start battery & a leisure battery for the accessories or if hes not a heavy user of the accessories then maybe just go for a couple of start batteries & not run them too low with the accessories. In my experience unless your running your batteries to the extreme then cheapie ones last fine & dont break your heart when you kill one with neglect.

[DS1570]

Ok, I've ordered a new pair of Numax units from Tayna. A starter battery and a smaller leisure one, both are slightly higher output/capacity than the ones being replaced. £191 delivered.

Appreciate all the input.