[Rhodes22-list] batteries

[Wally Buck]

Mary Lou,

Five years of battery life is pretty good, especially if you were not 
checking the water regularly. I have room for two battery boxes under my 
v-birth. These are the Group 24 boxes rather than the group 27; they have a 
little smaller footprint and have less amp hour ratings. I think my group 24 
are rated about 85 amp hours verses 100 plus for the group 27s. I also have 
a little room left over to keep distilled water. I don't store much in my 
boat so access is pretty easy. Previous owner had one Group 27 battery under 
v-birth and a starting battery in the lazerette. I think these batteries 
were about $40 a piece at Walmart. I may regret this strategy but so far so 
good.

Wally






>From: Mary Lou Troy <mltroy@netreach.net>
>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 09:43:15 -0500
>
>
>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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>
>
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