battery troubleshooting help!

[Cutwater28GG]

it would be ridiculous if you cant leave the shorepower plugged in. this is common practice. the charger should be smart enough to handle the condition.

the inner geek in me wants to put one of these on the battery and see what happens over time with the shorepower

https://www.microdaq.com/lascar-usb-voltage-data-logger.php

 

[Cutwater28GG]

Anybody know if the existing universal agm's are group 27 or group 30. I'm confused as you can buy the same UB121100 as a group 27 and group 30.

 

[captstu]

AGM batteries are prone to water loss when over charged for a long time - for example, on shore power.

Just for grins, open a few of the cells (I know they are marked not to be opened). They take a 19 mm thin walled socket and open easily.

Check the water level - or the consistency of the stuff that passes for fluid. If there is a white power visible thru the fill hole, your battery has been charged to dry.

You can temporarily "fix" it by adding distilled water slowly to top it off just like a flooded cell. I did this on a previous boat when stranded and unable to start my engine. The "fix" was still going strong after I fixed the battery charger, topped off the cells once again, and used the boat for another 18 months without any problems.

Give it a shot, easy to do, no harm involved, and it can't hurt.

Wear safety glasses and opens slowly, there is sometimes pressure in the cell after a few hours of overcharging.

 

[Pourhouse]

Has anyone had experience with the Optima batteries. Will they work okay in the ranger tugs.

 

[knotflying]

Funny you should ask. I just commented today to a fellow Ranger owner that I am surprised more people aren't using optima. I had them on my previous vessel and was very satisfied with their performance. However, I bought the boat with them. I am still a flooded proponent.

 

[Pilotnavigator]

I use the optima batteries in my 21ec, I replaced the factory batteries because I wanted more reserve capacity to anchor out. The batteries are 27s so I needed to put them on their side in the engine box, with two more in the stern. Total of four. Only for one summer on them but I was able to stay at anchor without running the engine for three days. Only real draw is the fridge. All lights are led. I disconnected all the negative lines for the winter.