Golf Cart Batteries

[hoaglandr]

I've read several threads that have mentioned using Golf Cart Batteries but haven't seen any that dealt directly with this topic.

In addition to the "start" battery I was planning on installing a pair of Walmart Group 24 or 27 "house" batteries as the Admiral expects many of the comforts of home on our . (She still thinks it's a trailer! ) I've ordered an "Add-a battery" switch and combiner (and new distribution panels, a solar panel, battery charger and shore power inlet) but now I'm reconsidering my battery choice.

Pros-Cons?

Any advice?

Thanks,
Russell

[vizwhiz]

The only thing I can think of right off-hand (not having much direct experience with golf cart or marine batteries) is that they may not be designed for the constant movement and rocking (or possible high levels of heel) that the boat would see - some batteries could spill the electrolyte (sulfuric acid) or have other problems surviving in marine conditions. I do drive golf carts up and down hills (usually all around the bunkers!) so that may not be it...but just thought I'd speculate...

[Seafarer]

It's got a lot more to do with capacity (In Amp-hours) and the ability to accept deep discharges without much damage.
Golf cart batteries and Marine 'Deep Cycle' batteries can withstand being fully depleted much better than regular car batteries. This is useful when anchored out for extended periods or over a weekend. Ordinary lead acid batteries don't last long if they are subjected to repeated 'deep discharge cycles'.

So the question becomes: Golf Cart batteries vs Walmart Marine/Deep cycle group 24 or 27 batteries.
One major thing to note: golf cart batteries are typically 6 volts each, and have a super high amp-hour rating, typically above 215amp hours, compared to regular marine group 24/27 batteries, which are 12v and range in capacity from 75 to 125 amp-hours. You will need at least 2 golf cart batteries if you go that route. If you can afford them and have the space, the golf cart batteries are unbeatable.

[Hamin' X]

I prefer AGM type batteries, due to low internal resistance, low self discharge rate, ability to regularly cycle to as low as 20%, no gas discharge, extended life and no spill. If you go with golf cart batteries, be aware that the GC designation is a size and not an indicator of construction. True golf cart batteries are of solid lead plate construction and not the sponge lead of cheaper types. The only way that you can be sure is to stick with the major brands, such as: Crown, Deka, or Trojan. You won't find these at the discount stores and they aren't cheap. With their low internal resistance, you can use them as a starting battery as well.

~Rich

[bartmac]

With anything...horses for courses.With batteries having lived on 12v dc 24/7 for a number of years if you can buy the right battery for the application with a dedicated charging system you can rely on it to work....however compremise the foundation of your system ie the batteries and the system will work but possibly not when you most need it.Our Mac has a dual marine battery start system and 3 AGM batteries to run all onboard electrics,the system has 200 watt of solar panels and ofcourse the 15 amps from the motor when running.In the old days we used to buy the left over telephone exchange batteries 48 x 2volt 27 litre 2 foot high mega batteries 550 AH ...10-12 years old but last another 10 at least BUT you weren't floating somewhere out the middle of nowhere....we just over engineered the system and compremised usage when required.However the single biggest usage item is the fridge everything else pales into insignificance....its all just maths....add up what you use and for how long and what you make 12v wise and get out your wallet.How long you stay aboard and expect everything to work is the biggest determinant

[Norca]

I prefer AGM type batteries, due to low internal resistance, low self discharge rate, ability to regularly cycle to as low as 20%, no gas discharge, extended life and no spill. If you go with golf cart batteries, be aware that the GC designation is a size and not an indicator of construction. True golf cart batteries are of solid lead plate construction and not the sponge lead of cheaper types. The only way that you can be sure is to stick with the major brands, such as: Crown, Deka, or Trojan. You won't find these at the discount stores and they aren't cheap. With their low internal resistance, you can use them as a starting battery as well.

~Rich

I prefer AGM as well
I am a bit worried about keeping the batteries inside the cabin as the hydrogen gas given off
when they are being recharged is explosive.
when I order my new Mac this winter I have been thinking of installing batteries somewhere else, or
change for something safer.
another possibility would be to build a ventilated batterie box with outside vent.
On comercial ships it is not legal to keep batteries in sleeping quarters, they have to be installed in a dedicated room or in the machinery space
For this reason, I think AGM batteries would be the safest option
it would be worth it for the safety and peace of mind.
IMHO

[bartmac]

Having seen what a dropped cell in a AGM battery does when its being charged by a vehicle ie high amperage....they still vent when pushed AND become highly dangerous football shaped BOMBS.....electrics & acid and lead and hydrogen and oxygen well................the result is predictable

[Norca]

Exactly,
I am a bit conserned about going to sleep with a hydrogen bomb under my pillow.
but at least they don't spill acid when heeled too far over,
and I they apparently do not give off hydrogen gas when they are being charged.

[bartmac]

Think again......they all have a vent in case of.... well 6 cells @2volts...reduce that to 5 cells if a cell fails....same input voltage across 5 cells means they'll be making hydrogen OR some other high voltage or longer term charging higher than it should be

[Norca]

So maybe it is better to place a them outside
in the cocpit, just in case of a worst case senario
Would it be a good idea to have them under the cocpit seat?
That would mean less fuel capacity though.

[Catigale]

You guys are over thinking this. Go on the web and try to find accounts of boats blowing up due to hydrogen from batteries. Good luck.

Cars dont do it either. Hydrogen has molecular mass of 2 amu, about 1/15 that of 'air' so it whisks away awfully quickly and reaches for the stars.

My Merc BigFoot has one of the higher output alternators and it only puts out 18 Amps at max. Only 12 Amps or so are available for the battery (my SWAG) after engine overhead. Thats not a 'fast charge' of the kind that makes lots of Wasserstuff....

[March]

Well, like with everything else on a Mac, this too is a matter of the right compromise. I would rather have some extra gas than the batteries outside. (the extra gas we carry is stored in a can under the seat, and not in the cabin, parce que ca pue.) Likewise, with the batteries: you want to go 6 volts? there are advantages and disadvantages to that. Until proven otherwise, the 12 V batteries make more sense (to me).

[bartmac]

Having seen a AGM battery venting a constant stream of visible gas? more than 2 feet in the air,the top and side of the battery bulged nearly 2 inches....football shaped
6 hours later it was still too hot to touch.We put it down to a cell dropped and a truck alternator probably dropping 60 amps into it....each cell getting 1/5 of 13.8-14.5??
It made me think twice about batteries

[Chinook]

Likewise, with the batteries: you want to go 6 volts? there are advantages and disadvantages to that. Until proven otherwise, the 12 V batteries make more sense (to me).

When going with 6 volt golf cart batteries, a pair of them are used, hooked up in series, so they operate at 12 volts. We're set up that way for our house loads, which include an Engel frig. They've been doing a good job for 5 years. The 65 watt solar panel helps keep the batteries up, so we never draw down below half discharge. The golf cart batteries are installed in the battery box aft of the galley, and the ignition battery got moved over to the bilge area where the ice chest is stored.

[vizwhiz]

You guys are over thinking this. Go on the web and try to find accounts of boats blowing up due to hydrogen from batteries. Good luck.
Cars dont do it either. Hydrogen has molecular mass of 2 amu, about 1/15 that of 'air' so it whisks away awfully quickly and reaches for the stars.

True true...hydrogen doesn't even stay mixed in our atmosphere, it is so light - it keeps rising to the very top and floats on the top of our atmosphere!

I agree - caution is good, but most batteries tend to "pop", and usually their tops (splitting a top seam if they are no-maintenance type), but not explode (been there, done that). Not that you can't have a major meltdown like bartmac was describing, but that is certainly not the normal way batteries expire... The most danger comes from the splashing battery acid when they pop their tops, not the fire/explosion of the hydrogen itself. Properly contained, and properly restrained, a battery may self-destruct, but should do little other damage - it isn't going to blow your boat apart**. It will be a mess to clean up, but unless you are in the process of working on the battery, connecting/disconnecting terminals, you're probably not in imminent danger. What will usually happen is you're doing something else, and hear a loud but muffled pop (because it's in a box below) like when you stomp on a cardboard box...and your electrical will quit working. The safest thing to do is to make sure it is in some kind of container that is acid-resistant, including a cover, and with a sturdy restraint that will keep it from jumping out of place. It is also well-advised to carry several large (cheap) boxes of baking soda as neutralizer for any acid that may spill.


**disclaimer - if the battery explosion ignites gas fumes that may have accumulated, different story...batteries and fuel storage don't go together well.