[Rhodes22-list] batteries

[Rik Sandberg]

Brad,

I haven't had to replace my boat batteries yet, although it seems I will 
before I go out again. They won't hold a charge anymore. I don't know much 
about the different types, AGM, Gel Cel, etc. What I do know from 
experience with 20 semi-tractors and 35 Refrigerated trailers is, batteries 
that are not only labeled maintenance free, but that you cannot remove the 
tops from seem to stand up far longer than the normal batteries with 
removable tops.

Careful now, many batteries look like you can't remove the top and are 
labeled maintenance free, but still have a flat panel that you can pry off 
with a screw driver to get to the inside of the battery. These are no 
better than the ones with the normal tops. On the batteries I am referring 
to, there is no top to remove, no way, no how. The top of the battery is 
absolutely flat, no slots, no holes, no grooves, nothing, there is nothing 
that is removable. The batteries we have been using in our equipment up 
till now have been group 31 Delco 1200's. I know, these are not deep cycle 
and are probably too big for your battery box. I'm sure they have smaller 
ones that are built the same way.

We have had this type of battery last up to 6 years in a truck, when other 
types would be lucky to make it 2 or 3. If this isn't rough service, there 
isn't such a thing. I don't know what makes these better, but experience 
has shown me that they are.

Rik

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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