Battery issues

[tatoweb]

Hi friends,

I purchased my 2016 C28 brand new in March 2016. It came with Centennial batteries from factory.

In March 2018 the generator/thrusters’ battery died so I replaced it with an Exide Marine battery because it was impossible to get a Centennial again.

My boat is always in the water, always connected to shore, battery charger always on.

Since June 2019, this generator/thruster battery is bad again. Before going out I turn my generator on without issues, but then I hear thrusters don’t work with full power and after a short normal thrusters use they completely die and generator turns off.

My almost zero knowledge about electrical tells me the battery needs to be replaced again and Exide is not the best brand to use.

I have two questions:

1) I would like to learn how to see this battery needs to be replaced using a multimeter.

2) I’m planning to replace this battery and engine battery (to be on the safe side) with 2 Optimas Blue Top Group 27. Does anybody have any experience with this ones?.

Any other recommendations?.

Thank you.

 

[knotflying]

There are many situations that can cause a battery to go bad or discharge. The first thing I would do is fully charge the batteries and then let them rest about one hour and do a load test. This is a special device, not a multimeter, to use for a load test. Or you can either take the batteries out and bring them to Autozone or a similar store and they will do a load test for free. If the batteries are bad you should find out what is making them go bad. The worst thing for a battery is to be discharged or overcharged. Make sure your charger is set properly for the battery type. You did not mention if your batteries were flooded or AGM. Flooded that are not maintenance free require service by ensuring that distilled water is added to each cell as needed. If your batteries are discharging then you need to find out what is causing the discharge and fix it. Replacing the batteries without knowing the cause will be throwing money away. I had Optima and they serviced me well. Only keep in mind, no mater what battery type you have if they are abused unintentionally they will not last.