I was following along pretty well until this part:
stonebuster":3rbqr2jg said:
AND, whatever battery you chose it should be a battery you can add distilled water to when neccessary and not maintanance free or gel type.
I'm not a fan of using gel type batteries in our applications, but it sounds like Yamaha is suggesting that only flooded cell batteries be used, and I
would take exception to that thinking.
This whole subject of batteries has been beaten to death over on THT, and folks can get quite passionate about their selections, and their reasoning. :shock:
But lets face it... the
typical fishing vessel in the 18 to 28' range doesn't require a huge bank of "house power".
We need power for navigation lights, chartplotter, sounder, VHF, and maybe some deck lighting. Other major items we might have on our boats that consume extra power might include radar, and livewell pumps...
Of all these items, the only ones drawing semi-serious "house power" when the motor is off would be the livewell pump. Radar wouldn't (normally) be operating, or it would be in standby mode, and the rest of the items aren't things that require huge banks of batteries to operate for a reasonable period of time.
Many of us have even taken steps to minimize our power draw. Upgrading navigation lighting and deck lights to LEDs has considerably reduced our power requirements. Everything else regarding power usage is just being aware of our draw, especially if the motor isn't running, and compensating accordingly.
Having said all that, I've come to the conclusion that
for my application and for my vessel, I'd be fine with a set of cranking or dual-purpose batteries. Obviously, each of us has different requirements, so YMMV.
After considering the power needs of my electronics, lighting, and the needs of my OX66, I selected a set of Group 27 Optima blue-tops in my vessel.
I've been running these batteries for the past 3 years without a battery issue, and I don't expect any.
When the day comes that I need to replace these batteries, I'll probably move up to Group 31's... just because of the way I am about my equipment.
However, because I do like to be prepared for emergencies, I also carry emergency power...
I believe that each owner should access their own needs taking into account the power needs of the motor, as well as the other devices on board.
The next step is to assess how the vessel is used. Are you sitting on the hook all night with the spreader lights on and livewell running while you're fishing?
Have you switched to LED lighting and do you minimize your electrical draw in order to extend the life of your stored power?
Point is, there is no single answer. Everyones needs are different. :wink:
