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Photo AlbumMar 30, '11 4:50 AM
by Nicholas for everyone
Although pampered since birth, my six-year old service batteries were showing signs of weakness, i.e. they were not holding their charge well. So I did what I’ve been wanting to do for the past few years: I bought a pair of 145Ah Deep Cycle AGMs. Although significantly heavier than the old ones (44kg vs 26 kg per piece) they fit nicely in the same epoxied plywood battery box under the chart table, which is securely through-bolted on two half bulkheads. Aside from having a floating design life of 10 years, AGMs have the added advantage in that they accept charge more rapidly and can be deeply discharged if needed (down to 70% or even 80%). This allows you to get an extra day or two out of them without risk of damage, if it’s overcast and/or windless, and the solar panels and/or wind generator are struggling. Normal, automotive-type batteries (which is what most chandlers sell) can be ruined if discharged more than 40% several times. The new batteries, combined with extra-low energy LED lights, a pair of solar panels and a zero-volt drop isolator have put me well on the way to energy-independent heaven.

Nicholas
Moments of Clarity #334



Old power
  

New power
  


jocotton wrote on Mar 30, '11
Interesting solution. I have installed two AGM service batteries, similar to yours but a bit smaller, in the old space in the forecastle, and a dedicated start battery, of the "round cell" type under the forward end of the port under-cockpit bunk. Very short leads to the starter motor. Not quite so much capacity as yours, but more than twice that previously. I too do not have to worry about battery power so often!
patentnick wrote on Mar 30, '11
Originally, my service batteries were under the V-berth too, but their weight plus that of the water tank, windlass, anchor and chain made the boat decidedly bow-heavy. So I moved them under the chart table (my Ballad is the version with the aft-facing chart table). My engine battery (an Exide Maxima AGM similar to your spiral cell type) is in the starboard locker, again, like yours, with very short leads to the starter motor. I don't know about you, but I get a great kick out of being anchored in a secluded day and spend day after day reading, listening to music and enjoying a cold beer without having to worry about volts and amps.
jocotton wrote on Mar 30, '11
Nice scenario! Like it!. I weighed down aft instead by installing a 65 litre fuel tank under the cockpit (the exhaust system had been revised which freed up the space) and then a water tank instead of the fuel tank and another water tank on the port side too, an extra 130 litres. A hot water tank in the forward end of the starboard cockpit locker. I can have a hot shower after my morning swim too. Luxury! A modernised Ballad
patentnick wrote on Mar 30, '11
That's great John. I've always considered both the original water and fuel tanks to be on the small side. Why don't you start a thread on tankage and include some photos? I'd be very interested in seeing how you accommodated a fuel tank under the cockpit sole. Also, it seems that you have a calorifier for your hot water. Some info on that would be nice too. Having talked extensively to a Swedish friend who came down to Greece in his Ballad via the canals, it's easy to add some comfort to a Ballad without making the whole operation complex. (We're both in the process of designing a dinette on the starboard side, but more on that later.)
jocotton wrote on Mar 30, '11
OK, will do, but don´t hold your breath! I´m a bit busy with other non-boaty things at the moment, and Josin is still under wraps, although the snow is melting fast
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