Batteries Again

Over the weekend, we gave our batteries their biggest challenge to date. The whole weekend moored outside the pub with no hook up or engine running. Through the cruising season we normally cruise every day, rarely staying in the same place for more than a day. This helps to ensure that the batteries are topped up and rarely drop below 12.6V. With the weather being on the cold side over the weekend we had the heating on quite a lot and the lighting of course now that the evenings have drawn in. To our surprise the batteries held out exceptionally well and were still showing 12.4V when we left to head home on Sunday afternoon. No power worries there then.

In total contrast, our friends arrived on Saturday evening and from the word go they were having power issues. Their one leisure battery has been on its last legs for much of this season giving them endless power supply problems. They still have not replaced it and spent much of their time away from their mooring with the engine running, a false economy if ever there was one.

I have never understood why people try to squeeze that extra couple of weeks or months out of their batteries. If they are starting to become unreliable then surely it is time to replace them. Replacing our batteries this time last year was the best thing we have done. It has transformed the boat and the way that we can use her. The energy saving measures we have also put into place has vastly reduced our power consumption and reliance on shore power. For the sake of £225 (two 105 amp leisure batteries and one starter battery) we have saved ourselves a lot of hassle and disappointment and should have a few trouble free cruising years. That equates to just £75 per year, a minimal cost when it comes to boat ownership. Is it worth the penny pinching?

At this time of the year we won’t be spending much time away from our home berth so the “smart” battery charger will look after the batteries and keep them in tip top condition ready for next year’s cruising season. The battery charger is again an item that is often over looked. Our Newmar “smart” charger is an expensive piece of kit to buy but cheaper “smart” chargers are available that will do a similar job and look after your batteries. Again some people fail to realise that a small trickle charger is going to struggle to keep up with the day to day demands that living onboard puts on the electrical system. Trickle chargers are fine if you are going to leave your boat unattended for long periods, they will keep your batteries topped up but they don’t stand a chance of keeping up with your power consumption if you are spending time onboard. Yes they are cheaper, but yes they will struggle.

Power is a big consideration when you are spending time on your boat. Trying to cut corners will only come back to bite you eventually, there are no easy ways out. Batteries and chargers are not cheap purchases when you have the initial outlay to find, but in the long run it makes firm financial sense to make the most of your money and make the right purchases the first time.