31 Tug battery change
- Thread starter NoRush
- Start date
Haifisch
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2019
- Messages
- 156
- Fluid Motion Model
- R-31 S
- Vessel Name
- Pilar
I recently did this on my R31. I purchased Lifeline Deep cycle GPL31 XT for the house bank of 4. They are 125 Amp hours. For the thruster and starter I used their cranking version. All are AGM and the Lifeline brand has an excellent reputation. The batteries are obviously heavy and a bit of a challenge to change. Since I also upgraded my inverter charger to a Victron Multiplus II 3000, I had an electrician do the whole job. Now in the summer with a 370 W solar panel, I can go 4+ days without a generator or running the motor.
Red Raven
Coupeville, Wa
- Joined
- May 14, 2015
- Messages
- 1,853
- Location
- Whidbey Island, Wa
- Fluid Motion Model
- R-27 Classic
- Hull Identification Number
- FMLT2734C414
- Vessel Name
- Red Raven
- MMSI Number
- 338190767
Ditto to what Halfisch said with one exception. Since I previously installed a combine switch between the house and thruster batteries I use the Lifeline GPL31XT for the thruster battery as well. While the thrusters draw a fair amount of current it is nowhere what cranking the engine draws. The draw is actually more similar to running the microwave off the inverter. Since they occasionally get combined I wanted the chemistry to be the same. Gets me through a rainy day on anchor with no sun in a pinch. If you think you may ever add such a switch then using the GPL31XT would be recommended for the thruster as well.