Replacing Batteries CD 22

SeaSpray

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C Dory Year
2004
C Dory Model
22 Cruiser
Vessel Name
SeaSpray
I purchased my 22 new in 2004 and it came with Optima Blue Top Dual use batteries. I replaced those batteries in 2015 with the same Optima batteries. Now I need to replace again but the Optima is $340 plus now. I'm not sure I want to spend that much.
My batteries are in the lazarettes and the space is tight. Most other batteries seem to be larger than the Optima.
What are other 22 owners using and would recommend?

Thanks,
Steve
 
I use Walmart size 24 dual purpose marine FLA batteries. I have two in the starboard lazerette. They are around $100ea and for me they last 5-6 years. I run on one battery and have the other for reserve.
 
I am no expert, but my used 2002 CD22 came with a pair of NAPA 8240 batteries. The NAPA battery is only around $115 and seems to work for starting the motors and occasionally running a downrigger/pot puller plug.

I replaced the house battery with a 100Ah LiTime lithium charged by a Victron DC-to-DC charger. Prior to the lithium swap, the lead acid battery seemed to power the house OK, but I saw a few low voltage alerts on my chart plotter. I replaced the main house wire with thicker gauge, so I am not sure if the lithium or thicker wire solved that issue. Haven't seen a low voltage alert since. Both batteries are "Group 24" size.

main/kicker motors <-> lead acid -> dc-to-dc charger -> lithium -> house circuit

I have not had issues with the single lead acid battery being dead yet. Worst case I can pull start my kicker motor to hopefully charge up the lead acid battery enough to start the main. Or possibly swap the the DC-to-DC charger wires to charge lithium -> lead acid temporarily.
 
l’m paying close attention to this thread, because I’ve just pulled the trigger on a 1989 22’ Angler (closing this week!) and one of my winter projects will be updating the electrical system. It’s currently got two lead-acid batteries of unknown age but good condition, which start and run the motor just fine.

I plan to add a 100 amp-hour lithium house battery and an inverter, for cruising comforts like an induction cooktop and a modest-wattage cabin heater.

In the collective wisdom of those of you who are *not* complete noobs like me, is a single 1280 Wh lithium house battery sufficient for cruising/overnights, or is it much smarter to double up, or to get a much larger house battery? I’ve estimated my energy budget and 1280 Wh should suffice, but I’ll gladly take advice from someone who knows from experience.

I don’t plan on a heavy electrical draw, but I’d like to be able to run a 1500W induction cooktop for the morning coffee and simple meals for two. And sometimes run the cabin heater when it’s chilly.
 
Back to ChrisD's Post.

With the 1500 Watt induction burner, you will be pushing the 100 amp hour LiFePO4 battery. I would double up to 200 amp hour LiFePO4 battery, then you will have enough. Do you have a monitor? I would put in something like the 700 Victron to the 712 monitor. You want a shunt reading ampmeter, There are chinese copies--I have one which cost about $40 (a few years ago) and is still going strong.

You can "safely" drew a 100 amp hour battery to about its 80% discharge. If you are going to stay off the dock for several days, you can probably keep the battery fairly well charged off an outboard alternator which puts out 40+ amps---10 for the engine, a small aount for the depth sounder and chart plotter. You want a DC to DC charger, where you can throttle up or down the amount of charge to the LiFePO4. battery. I would usually pull 30 amps for charging the Li battery and leave 14 for the motor and other "house needs".

You should never directly combine the Li battery with AGM or Lead Acid battery. There will be a high inrush current to the engine start battery, and could also potentially damage the Li battery. (BMS should shut the Li battery down,) I used an induction burner with a single LiFeO4 battery. I found that medium power (600 watts, measured, input into the induction burner was adequate for all of our cooking needs. However I did run refrigerator/freezer and occasionally a microwave. I had a 1000 watt Honda generator (was better when I had a 2200 watt Honda generator, and would run that when I wanted the microwave. There would be some power "left over" for the house usual uses such as riding lights, cabin lights, maybe the MFD for an hour or so planing your next days trip. I upped the Li batteries (Battle Born), and was using a Victron 2KW/80/50; inverter, battery. You do want to be "safe" charger/boost. The boost function is when powered into mains dock power (or at home if the boat is trailered home, or used as a "boater home" in an RV Park where the mains voltage drops to 90 amps 120 AC, instead of the touted 120 volts. The boost function draws on the Li batteries to combine and syncronize the inverter /charger with mains power. You need to have a large block fues inline right after the battery, and before the on off switch for the Inverter. The Victron acts as a automatic power combiner. I made a separate setup with a 100 amp hour LiFeP04 battery with fuse, transfer switch and Orion battery isolator. I fused for 300. I used a smaller inverter (1500 watt). I used a cheaper Chinese copy of the Inverter and battery charger on thee boat initially. I blew out the switch: That switch arced and blew the fuse, when for some reason the switch failed. This did not fail, when we lost the boat trailer due to the pole tongue failure on the class 3 htich. This "portable" rig has a a 100 amp battery, and the occasionally easily serviced fused at 30 amps

Back to the second setup and 1000 watt inverter, mostly running a "Black Forrest" 35 liter capacity freezer/refrigerator in my SUV. It was portable enough that Marie used it in her Lincoln MKX (SUV) which had a slightly lower capacity.. The use of switch in the freezer which was used on SUV trips only (Pensacola to Culver City Market for my gluten or bringing frozen foods from the nearby Aldi, Publix or WalMart supermarket in the summer heat of Florida, Texas. New Mexico, Arizona, or California summer heat super market. This allowed us to keep meals frozen for over a month, suppliment with local markets for veggies at local supermarkets. When traveling in the SUV only (no boat/trailer) we used this "portable" setup.

You mentoned running a "modest wattage" boat heater. That will drain the 100 amp hour battery in less than an hour. If you run a 1000 watt boat heater, then I would have a minimum 1000 watt Honda to charge the li battery bank in less time.
 
Have you looked into a small diesel heater? They use very little electricity once started and running and produce plenty of heat. You will be very limited on how much you can use an electric heater as mention by Bob. For cooking, I recently got a Origo alcohol stove (something I had on a previous boat), and couldn’t be happier. Very simple and safe, no electricity needed and plenty of heat for cooking.
 
That's a great idea! Too bad they don't make Origos any more, but there are always a few on eBay.
 
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