Rolls or Trojan

[Rambling]

I have 5 x 110a Newmark lead acid batteries and want to replace & upgrade to a much heavier duty battery as they are dead.

 

These are the 2 makes that are consistently coming up and I can get to fit the existing box.

 

I want maintenance free. Which are better?

Edited July 18, 2015 by Rambling

[peterboat]

2 volt cells with a watering system I have 2 banks on my boat one bank is 10 years old this year

 

Peter

[magnetman]

I put 2 Rolls 4000 blocks (s530 6v) in the barge about 4 years ago.

 

They failed within 18 months but Rolls shipped me a replacement pair without taking away the old ones. There was a completely dead cell in each block of 3 cells. SG of 1.05 or something so almost water. I think they were broken inside from new. New set is on float all thr time now so I don't know what they would be like off grid.

 

The 4000 series are tall and can stratify and they are heavy beggars as well !!

They do a 7 year warranty but I don't know if that counts if I kill a second pair

 

Bloke at surette (manufacturer in Canada) said my float voltage was too low and killed them but sent me new ones anyway...

Edited July 18, 2015 by magnetman

[bottle]

I have 5 x 110a Newmark lead acid batteries and want to replace & upgrade to a much heavier duty battery as they are dead.

 

These are the 2 makes that are consistently coming up and I can get to fit the existing box.

 

I want maintenance free. Which are better?

 

Which ever ones, you look after correctly.

 

Yes, more expensive true deep cycle should last longer but not if you abuse them.

 

Both makes have a good reputation so go with price.

[Rambling]

Ok, so if I go with the cheaper ones,

 

AGM or Gel?

[bottle]

AGM as that was what my supplier said because the usage and charging on a live aboard, off grid, was not conducive with GEL.

Edited July 18, 2015 by bottle

[Rambling]

Thanks

[ditchcrawler]

I didn't know Trojan did a maintenance free

[costalot]

For the last four years we have four Rolls 6V 450Ah flooded wet cell batteries with an automatic watering system. No sign of them starting to lose capacity.

[Psycloud]

2 volt cells with a watering system I have 2 banks on my boat one bank is 10 years old this year

 

Peter

How does the watering system work? Is that to top them up or keep them cool?

[Alan Saunders]

I am not fit to answer this question as shortly after installing new, cheap FLA batteries my alternator failed and I ruined the new batteries within a few weeks by repeatedly totally discharging them and recharging to <80%. Expensive 'traction' batteries may have lost less capacity but 'price-for-price' I believe my loss was less with the cheap batteries.

 

Usually the deciding factor for a canal boat is how much charge (Amps) the battery will accept. Open top batteries can be charged fastest but may require topping up of the electrolyte (thus the watering system recommended by 'Peterboat'), 'maintenance free' batteries will accept a lower charge rate but may have removable caps allowing topping up; Gel batteries a yet lower rate and are only required if you must mount them on their sides or even invert them for short periods in e.g. a lifeboat or aerobatic aircraft, saturated glass mat has similar properties.

 

Alan

[costalot]

How does the watering system work? Is that to top them up or keep them cool?

Keep them topped up

[Neil Smith]

It is not automatic watering as you pump up a water tank about once a month and it tops them up until the little float valves stop it over filling. So you still have to remember to do it.

But it is handy if you can't see in the top to check levels. And for what it's worth I am a fan of 2v cell full traction batteries as they are cheaper than rolls and should last a lot longer with a good charge routine.

[bottle]

 

and should last a lot longer with a good charge routine.

 

Probably, it is the 'good charge routine' that all types of batteries require.

[peterboat]

I have 2 banks of 2 volt cells one bank is 10 years old and still working well I have nearly 1 kw of solar so it keeps them charged. I have a dishwasher autowasher electric kettle etc etc so I am a heavy user of power and wanted something long lasting and reliable

 

Peter

[George94]

I am not fit to answer this question as shortly after installing new, cheap FLA batteries my alternator failed and I ruined the new batteries within a few weeks by repeatedly totally discharging them and recharging to <80%. Expensive 'traction' batteries may have lost less capacity but 'price-for-price' I believe my loss was less with the cheap batteries.

 

Usually the deciding factor for a canal boat is how much charge (Amps) the battery will accept. Open top batteries can be charged fastest but may require topping up of the electrolyte (thus the watering system recommended by 'Peterboat'), 'maintenance free' batteries will accept a lower charge rate but may have removable caps allowing topping up; Gel batteries a yet lower rate and are only required if you must mount them on their sides or even invert them for short periods in e.g. a lifeboat or aerobatic aircraft, saturated glass mat has similar properties.

 

Alan

 

Actually, Lifeline AGMs can be charged much faster.

 

Forget Gel. They have been superseded by AGM.