[Rhodes22-list] batteries

[Mary Lou Troy]

Now that's a timely question. Our original battery has given up the ghost 
after 5 years of moderate neglect. We also have shore power and our 
electrical needs are pretty minimal even when we are cruising and away from 
the dock for several days.

We are thinking of replacing the old battery with an AGM. Reasons: (1) 
sealed - no need to add water which was one of our failings with the old 
battery. we use the vberth for storage so getting in there is a pain in the 
neck (2) sealed - our battery is located forward of the water tank and 
while there is room for a tie down, there is not room for a battery box. 
(3) an AGM can use the same charger as our old battery whereas it's somehow 
different for the gel cells?

Feel free to poke holes in the logic or suggest other reasons why it might 
be a good move.

Anybody have recommendations/ experience on AGM brands? We spoke with a rep 
from "Lifeline" batteries at Annapolis. Evidently OEM equipment for some of 
the big boats and big RV coaches.

Mary Lou


At 06:22 AM 11/3/2002 -0800, you wrote:
>Now that I have slip space it's time to put down the
>West Marine and USBoat catalogs and actually do some
>WORK!  If Steve can sail all year on Greers Ferry I
>can sail all year on Pickwick, errrrr.  The original
>electrical system plan was based on not having access
>to AC at the dock or DC from an engine.  I have AC at
>the dock so combined with my Guest 3-phase charger
>"CoraShen" should always leave with a fully charged
>bank.  Adding solar panels and/or an engine-driven
>alternator probably isn't necessary now.
>So here's the question:  I know that gel-celled and
>AGM batteries are better suited for blue water
>cruisers but at two to three times the cost are they
>really necessary on a R-22?  I can buy deep-cycle lead
>acid marine batteries at Sam's (group27, 180 amp) for
>$50 each.  Ideas?
>
>Brad (you can call me "The Dude") Haslett
>
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