[Rhodes22-list] batteries

[Wally Buck]

Hey Dude/Brad,

This dude stuff reminds me of "The Big Labowski" (sp?) Great Movie! Around 
here dude is not unfriendly....anyway...

I went through the same thing when I got my boat last spring. I was all set 
to purchase 2 Group 27 AGM batteries but got cheap and decided to get two 
Group 24 batteries at Walmart. They are both deep cycle and I also use one 
as a starting battery. My boat came with a dead deep cycle and a dead 
starting battery but I felt a dedicated starting battery is not needed for 
the way I use my boat. The most I have gone out is two nights and I always 
have plenty of juice. I have a dual 10 Amp charger and I keep an eye on the 
water level. It is not to much of a hassle.

I think if I treat them right I should get at least 3 years use. Then again 
they may crap out next year.

Wally

>From: Rik Sandberg <racerrik@rea-alp.com>
>Reply-To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org>
>To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org>
>Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] batteries
>Date: Sun, 03 Nov 2002 09:25:01 -0600
>
>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
>>
>>__________________________________________________
>>Do you Yahoo!?
>>HotJobs - Search new jobs daily now
>>http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/
>>_________________________________________________
>>Use Rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>
>_________________________________________________
>Use Rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list


_________________________________________________________________
Broadband? Dial-up? Get reliable MSN Internet Access. 
http://resourcecenter.msn.com/access/plans/default.asp