Kinetik Battery issue - electronic gurus speak up!

[Micah]

I've had 2 Kinetik 2000's(racing series)on my boat for two seasons and I haven't had any problems. My system is only 2500 watts but I have never even had to flip a perko switch because they seem to just keep on going.

[talltigeguy]

Tall,

That's what I'm afraid of. And at $300.00 per Kinetik battery, I don't want to gamble.

Can you say how much you paid for the Kinetek?

Probably not...but here is something close:

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...pe+Posts-.html

If I decide I want to throw these Kinetiks in, then I would get that one for the starting battery to make it complete. Should be far more than enough for what I need. Assuming the batteries are operating properly...but I am also the kind of guy that might wear a 3 year old condom

No need for an inverter, make it simple and use a 12V device. Do you something like hand-held spot light on boat? If so, connect it to the battery. As long as you know the current draw of what you connect, you can see what the batteries voltage does.

But my spotlight and everything else is wired to a cigarette outlet style adapter. How do I connect that straight to the battery? I was looking to minimize any variables and do this on the bench with the battery out of the boat.

[chpthril]

Probably not...but here is something close:






But my spotlight and everything else is wired to a cigarette outlet style adapter. How do I connect that straight to the battery? I was looking to minimize any variables and do this on the bench with the battery out of the boat.

You can buy a remote ACC socket with alligator clips. One shouldnt be more then a few bucks at the auto parts store.

[b/w05]

Carter,

I think (I'm a dumb as* when it comes to stereo technical) I'm at about 800 watts?? I don't have the stock Clarion system that it came with. And as often as I can (wife permitting) it's hard & loud! More than likely the reason it might go dead is starting off without a full charge as Mike says and then out for a few days at a time relying on the alternator to keep it charged.

I like your comment on "while she's parking the truck",, I'm with you! She always tells me I'm an idiot, "everyone in the parking lot and boat ramp doesn't like your music as much as you do"

[Joeprunc]

Carter,

I think (I'm a dumb as* when it comes to stereo technical) I'm at about 800 watts?? I don't have the stock Clarion system that it came with. And as often as I can (wife permitting) it's hard & loud! More than likely the reason it might go dead is starting off without a full charge as Mike says and then out for a few days at a time relying on the alternator to keep it charged.

I like your comment on "while she's parking the truck",, I'm with you! She always tells me I'm an idiot, "everyone in the parking lot and boat ramp doesn't like your music as much as you do"

I actually would have to agree with you wife on this one. The other day there was some guy bumping his tunes so freaking loud at the boat ramp, I was getting a headache from how loud his music was...and he was a good 200 feet away & his tower speakers were facing 180 degrees from me. I couldn't even talk to my girlfriend sitting right next to me. You could tell everyone at the ramp couldn't wait for him to leave. I honestly could care less if people are rocking out in a cove, while riding, or chilling...but not at a freaking crowded boat ramp.

Maybe its just me that feels this way, or me and your wife ....

[talltigeguy]

I actually would have to agree with you wife on this one. The other day there was some guy bumping his tunes so freaking loud at the boat ramp, I was getting a headache from how loud his music was...and he was a good 200 feet away & his tower speakers were facing 180 degrees from me. I couldn't even talk to my girlfriend sitting right next to me. You could tell everyone at the ramp couldn't wait for him to leave. I honestly could care less if people are rocking out in a cove, while riding, or chilling...but not at a freaking crowded boat ramp.

Maybe its just me that feels this way, or me and your wife ....

I agree also. I do keep it down on the ramp...unless I get a special request and then it is only for a brief moment.

[talltigeguy]

Comparing batteries

So here is a poor man's way of telling if the new Kinetik batteries were going to be better than what I already had.

I got a 1000 Watt inverter from Ebay. I already have a small fan that I use to dry the boat out when it gets real wet in the small compartments. Both batteries were already fully charged.

I took one of the Kinetik batteries and hooked it up to the inverter and plugged the fan in and turned it on the low speed setting. I checked the voltage before, at 2 hours, 12 hours and then 24 hours after plugging in the fan and turning it on.

Then I repeated the test with one of the Interstate batteries that I removed from the boat.

The Kinetik did better than the Interstate. It started at 12.8 Volts and was the same at 2 hours, then to 12.6 after 12 hours, and then to 12.4 after 24 hours.

The Interstate started at 12.25V and was the same after 2 hours, at 12 hours it was exactly 12.0V. When I returned at 24 hours, the inverter was in protection mode and the fan was no longer running. The battery was then at 10.8 Volts.

I have no idea how much energy the 8 inch fan uses, but I wanted something that I did not have to babysit and also something that was not at risk of burning up the motor by just leaving it on.

My conclusion is that the Kinetik would have more play time on the stereo since it has more 'play time' on the fan with the inverter. So I will be swapping them out. Any thoughts on this?

[chpthril]

So here is a poor man's way of telling if the new Kinetik batteries were going to be better than what I already had.

I got a 1000 Watt inverter from Ebay. I already have a small fan that I use to dry the boat out when it gets real wet in the small compartments. Both batteries were already fully charged.

I took one of the Kinetik batteries and hooked it up to the inverter and plugged the fan in and turned it on the low speed setting. I checked the voltage before, at 2 hours, 12 hours and then 24 hours after plugging in the fan and turning it on.

Then I repeated the test with one of the Interstate batteries that I removed from the boat.

The Kinetik did better than the Interstate. It started at 12.8 Volts and was the same at 2 hours, then to 12.6 after 12 hours, and then to 12.4 after 24 hours.

The Interstate started at 12.25V and was the same after 2 hours, at 12 hours it was exactly 12.0V. When I returned at 24 hours, the inverter was in protection mode and the fan was no longer running. The battery was then at 10.8 Volts.

I have no idea how much energy the 8 inch fan uses, but I wanted something that I did not have to babysit and also something that was not at risk of burning up the motor by just leaving it on.

My conclusion is that the Kinetik would have more play time on the stereo since it has more 'play time' on the fan with the inverter. So I will be swapping them out. Any thoughts on this?

Your theory was actually very sound......constant load placed on each battery with regular intervauls of checking the voltage. Only problem is, you gotta case of GIGO here, garbage in, garbage out.

The Interstate performed poorly because it started the test completely discharged. If the interstate has been on a charger and still only came up to 12.25V's, it's done, put a fork in it.

If you did this again with brand new, fully charged deepcycle, you would see far different results.

[talltigeguy]

Your theory was actually very sound......constant load placed on each battery with regular intervauls of checking the voltage. Only problem is, you gotta case of GIGO here, garbage in, garbage out.

The Interstate performed poorly because it started the test completely discharged. If the interstate has been on a charger and still only came up to 12.25V's, it's done, put a fork in it.

If you did this again with brand new, fully charged deepcycle, you would see far different results.

I took the Interstate from the boat which had been run a week ago without difficulty. Nothing was left on in the boat, but the switch was not turned off, which I usually try to do. I have now put it on the charger and will repeat the test with the interstate. Makes me wonder if something did drain it, or if my alternator is on it's way out. I did get a little water on it at the Lake Mead reunion (both bilge pumps failed at the same time as I forgot the plug).

Better yet, I am considering getting a space heater for the garage anyway, then I could use it and get results a lot quicker. But would need to stick around to check voltage at more like 30 minute intervals. A 1000 watt heater would mimic a stereo at half of full power pretty decently.

[talltigeguy]

I repeated the test after charging the interstate. The interstate started at 13 Volts this time and stayed there initially. This time I used the inverter I bought and a 1600 Watt blow dryer. The inverter is rated for 1000 watts continuous so I put the blow dryer on low heat and low fan. I have no idea how many watts it would pull. But the interstate was toast after 2 hours, and the Kinetik was still going pretty decent at that point...although there was a definite voltage drop.

[chpthril]

I repeated the test after charging the interstate. The interstate started at 13 Volts this time and stayed there initially. This time I used the inverter I bought and a 1600 Watt blow dryer. The inverter is rated for 1000 watts continuous so I put the blow dryer on low heat and low fan. I have no idea how many watts it would pull. But the interstate was toast after 2 hours, and the Kinetik was still going pretty decent at that point...although there was a definite voltage drop.

Sounds like your bargain Kinetic is good and your Interstate deep-cycle is done.