Batteries
 

This is an email from the south bound cruising group. Take it as you will.



Be Careful!!
Here is my short story on Trojan AGM Batteries:
I purchased 6 6v 200Ah Trojan AGM batteries in August of 2008 for our
house bank. We spent one season (8 months) in Mexico before returning to
San Diego in June of 2009. Since then we have been tied to the dock
other some weekends and a few weeks during the summer of '09 and '10.
In September while away from the dock we found our bank voltage dropped
to 10.3 overnight with not much load on the bank. After charging with
the engines and solar panels, all looked fine by the end of the day. We
experienced the same results the next night.
The batteries have been fully charged and when in Mexico (08-09) were
never run down more than 30-35%.
Subsequently we have removed the batteries for a full charge and load
test, which they failed completely.
So essentially we had the batteries for 25 months before total failure.
Our cost for the batteries was $2,000.00, in Seattle.
I am told by the vendor in Seattle that they offer 1 year of full
replacement and a prorated replacement for months 13 to 16. Total 13
months - after that you are on your own. Clearly I am out of the
warranty range.
Subsequently I spoke with "Larry" a Trojan regional manager about the
issue. He essentially said that 2 years is about what I can expect from
their batteries.
So in effect, Trojan feels comfortable in having their customers pay
$1,000 per year for privilege of owning their batteries.
So I am purchasing a new house bank, and yes AGM's (a necessity since
the bank is under a bunk and is difficult to get to).
My advice is to research the batteries AND the vendor before making any
purchase. I find the warranty offered by Trojan to be grossly
insufficient. I would never ever purchase Trojan batteries again and
would not accept them if they were given to me.
So that's my story, sad but true.
Be Careful.

Batteries
 

Gordon,
If the information you have posted is all the info you possess, it is not enough to blame anyone for the 2 year life cycle. Here
are two facts.

1) All lead acid batteries degenerate over time and that degeneration is amazingly linear. The slope of this linear line is a
function of usage. The accepted industry typical usage length is 5 years if the discharge doesn't drop below 70%. (That's charge,
like in coulombs, not voltage)

2) Battery design choice and sizing is very important and should be tailored to the intended service expected.

I suspect you have either underestimated your house load, underrated your storage requirement or violated one or more of the rules
above. Keep in mind that the rating a manufacturer states is based on the best conditions possible, which you have no chance of
duplicating. You should derate the amp/hr rating by at least 25% to compensate. You should re-analyze your real requirements to
make certain the failure isn't your own.
Steve


"Gordon" wrote in message m...
This is an email from the south bound cruising group. Take it as you will.



Be Careful!!
Here is my short story on Trojan AGM Batteries:
I purchased 6 6v 200Ah Trojan AGM batteries in August of 2008 for our house bank. We spent one season (8 months) in Mexico
before returning to San Diego in June of 2009. Since then we have been tied to the dock other some weekends and a few weeks
during the summer of '09 and '10.
In September while away from the dock we found our bank voltage dropped to 10.3 overnight with not much load on the bank. After
charging with the engines and solar panels, all looked fine by the end of the day. We experienced the same results the next
night.
The batteries have been fully charged and when in Mexico (08-09) were never run down more than 30-35%.
Subsequently we have removed the batteries for a full charge and load test, which they failed completely.
So essentially we had the batteries for 25 months before total failure. Our cost for the batteries was $2,000.00, in Seattle.
I am told by the vendor in Seattle that they offer 1 year of full replacement and a prorated replacement for months 13 to 16.
Total 13 months - after that you are on your own. Clearly I am out of the warranty range.
Subsequently I spoke with "Larry" a Trojan regional manager about the issue. He essentially said that 2 years is about what I
can expect from their batteries.
So in effect, Trojan feels comfortable in having their customers pay $1,000 per year for privilege of owning their batteries.
So I am purchasing a new house bank, and yes AGM's (a necessity since the bank is under a bunk and is difficult to get to).
My advice is to research the batteries AND the vendor before making any purchase. I find the warranty offered by Trojan to be
grossly insufficient. I would never ever purchase Trojan batteries again and would not accept them if they were given to me.
So that's my story, sad but true.
Be Careful.

Batteries
 

Steve Lusardi wrote:
Gordon,
If the information you have posted is all the info you possess, it is
not enough to blame anyone for the 2 year life cycle. Here are two facts.

1) All lead acid batteries degenerate over time and that degeneration is
amazingly linear. The slope of this linear line is a function of usage.
The accepted industry typical usage length is 5 years if the discharge
doesn't drop below 70%. (That's charge, like in coulombs, not voltage)

2) Battery design choice and sizing is very important and should be
tailored to the intended service expected.

I suspect you have either underestimated your house load, underrated
your storage requirement or violated one or more of the rules above.
Keep in mind that the rating a manufacturer states is based on the best
conditions possible, which you have no chance of duplicating. You should
derate the amp/hr rating by at least 25% to compensate. You should
re-analyze your real requirements to make certain the failure isn't your
own.
Steve


"Gordon" wrote in message
m...
This is an email from the south bound cruising group. Take it as you
will.



Be Careful!!
Here is my short story on Trojan AGM Batteries:

AS I said, this was a post in the south bound group. NOT my boat and
this is all I know. Take it as you will!
Gordon

Batteries
 

Gordon wrote:
Steve Lusardi wrote:
Gordon,
If the information you have posted is all the info you possess, it is
not enough to blame anyone for the 2 year life cycle. Here are two facts.



Be Careful!!
Here is my short story on Trojan AGM Batteries:

AS I said, this was a post in the south bound group. NOT my boat and
this is all I know. Take it as you will!
Gordon

Another cruiser reported having problems with 6 month old Trojans. He
was in southern Mexico and was told by Trojan that his warranty was no
good in another country and he would have to return to the US for
warranty replacement.
As he was headed farther south, this was not an option. He replaced
the Trojans with cheap Mexican batteries and lived happily ever after.
Again this is not my boat and I have no details so ...........
Gordon

Actually, maybe no company will honor a warranty out of country due to
cost of shipping.

Batteries
 

On Sun, 24 Oct 2010 13:09:56 -0700, Gordon wrote:

Another cruiser reported having problems with 6 month old Trojans. He
was in southern Mexico and was told by Trojan that his warranty was no
good in another country and he would have to return to the US for
warranty replacement.
As he was headed farther south, this was not an option. He replaced
the Trojans with cheap Mexican batteries and lived happily ever after.
Again this is not my boat and I have no details so ...........
Gordon

Actually, maybe no company will honor a warranty out of country due to
cost of shipping.

A lot of battery problems are caused by owner abuse, and shipping out
of country is a *major* issue. Earlier this year I had to get an
alternator shipped to the Caribbean - $255 to get it from Illinois to
St Croix. If it had gone anywhere but the USVI or Puerto Rico it
would have cost even more, and it could have easily taken one or two
weeks to get it through customs, assuming it didn't get *lost* in
customs which happens fairly frequently.