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On our recently bought Bavaria 40 (2001) the batteries have not been holding their charge well recently. Also, one was gassing at the weekend, implying a dud cell. The current batteries are two Bosch 140Ah Heavy Duty ones, so I suspect they may be the originals. They’re 500mm long x 180mm wide.
Does anyone have any suggestions for replacements? I can get similar ones (Hoppecke 135Ah lead/acid semi-traction) locally at D B Wilson in Glasgow for £225 each. Having looked on the web, I could get VARTA 180Ah lead/acid deep-cycle ones for a similar price or Trojan 175Ah AGMs for £375 each. I looked on previous BOA Forum threads and noted a recommendation for an Exide battery but couldn’t find it on the web. Also, Rhu is a bit far (~500 miles!) from Sandy Point Motors.
I don’t need a particularly large capacity but would quite like to up the capacity a bit if possible – the main drain is the fridge when at anchor, as I’ve replaced a lot of the cabin bulbs with LEDs. The anchor windlass obviously draws a lot, but that’s only used with the engine running.
All advice welcome.
Alastair
Dream Catcher (& Electra2!)PS Anyone want to buy a really nice 2000 B31?
Alastair
I replaced my original batteries (Bosch) with VARTAs a couple of years ago and they’re still going strong….hope this helps!
Ian Culley/Another Fantasy
ps I’ll pass on the B31!
Hi Alastair,
I have 2000 Bav 40 and I also have the original batteries (2 x 140). I think they will require replacing soon so I will watch this space with interest and see which way you go. I will let you know if I get any ideas or keen prices.
Regards, John
LoblollyI looked into replacing the 2 x 140 Ah Bosch batteries on Playtime a couple of years ago. They were 8 years old and getting a little ‘weak’ although not yet failed. I wanted to get semi traction batteries but when I discussed the options with Barden Batteries (Segensworth, near Fareham), the local battery specialists, I realised that the fixings on semi traction batteries are different to those on ‘car’ type batteries. The Bosch ones are clamped at the base and traction batteries don’t have the necessary lugs at the base for the clamps to work.
So, since the original Bosch ones had done 8 years (and were probably good for a couple more years if careful), I decided the easiest and cheapest solution was a like for like replacement plus, with the money saved, a NASA Battery Monitor (£100) to keep an eye on the state of (dis)charge!
If anyone has solved the fixing problem for 2 x 140 Ah traction batteries I would be interested in their solution.
Roger
Roger,
My original plan was to replace the existing Bosch batteries with the same type, given that these have lasted 8 years. However, I can’t find them through any of the main suppliers or even on the Bosch website. Where did you source your Bosch batteries?
Prior to your post I was leaning towards two 180Ah VARTA 96351s at £237 each.
Alastair
Hi Alastair
I got mine from Barden Batteries – see here
I got mine 2 years ago so it is possible they have gone out of production; try giving them a ring, they are usually very helpful.
Roger
Roger,
Thanks for the info. I’ve been in touch with Barden, and they were indeed very helpful. It seems that they don’t do the Bosch batteries any more but they suggested that I go for VARTA, which they say are made in the same factory.
The choice now is 2 x 130Ah or 2 x 180Ah. I think I’ll go for the 180s as I’m looking to fit Eberspacher heating soon, which will increase the drain. I have a cunning plan for retaining them. I’ll let you know how it goes.
On the heating front I’ve been told by one of the installation engineers from whom I’ve got a quote that the D5 uses significantly more electrical power than the D4. Drains normal bank of batteries in 2 hours instead of 10!
Any views on heating anyone?
Alastair
Dream CatcherJust to let you all know the conclusion of my battery search, as I know you’re all riveted to your cockpit seats in anticipation…
I went for two 96351 Varta 180Ah batteries, supplied by Barden. They are slightly wider than my original Bosch ones, but still fit in the locker with some space to spare. I did find a source of suitable Bosch batteries at http://www.boschcarparts.co.uk and http://www.boschautoparts.co.uk but decided to go for the full marine spec ones anyway. Also, the new Bosch ones don’t seem to have have hold-down lugs.
The Vartas don’t have hold-downs at the base, so I secured them as follows. First, I put non-slip mat on the base of the locker. The top of each battery has a recess/slot at each end (same as the old Bosch ones). I used this to attach one end of the batteries to the side of the locker, using the original hold-down brackets. This held the batteries in place very securely at that end. I screwed a 2″ x 1″ piece of wood to the locker base at the other end of the batteries. I then screwed two D-rings to this piece of wood, and tied the battery handles firmly down to these.
Alastair
Dream Catcher
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