[Rhodes22-list] Batteries

[Bob Keller]

The batteries are 4 years old so they have to be replaced. They are standard 
Interstate group 27 batteries which I will super-size to a 29 or 31 when I 
replace them in March.  An important point with batteries connected in 
parallel as mine are is that I make sure the batteries are identical in size 
and replace them at the same time.

Mine are not actually dead now, but they don't hold a charge and will run 
out after several hours of sailing using autopilot, stereo, depth finder, 
knotmeter & wind instrument.  Can you believe that would drain the 
batteries?
Bob K


>From: Bill Effros <bill at effros.com>
>Reply-To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Batteries
>Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2006 21:32:36 -0500
>
>Bob,
>
>How did you manage to do this?  Was one of the batteries damaged?  Did you 
>fail to add water to wet cells?  Wet cells?  Gel?  AGM?
>
>Link 10. -- Now Xantrex e-meter and this will never happen.  No excuse for 
>it.
>
>I have 2 batteries connected, no switch, solar, elec start motor -- I have 
>never, ever, needed a shore power charge, my batteries last for 6 years, I 
>leave them in the boat summer and winter...been down this road before.
>
>KISS with a meter -- the meter tells you of a problem coming 6 months 
>before it happens --BTW, just to add fuel to another fire, I don't replace 
>both batteries at the same time, I mix types, (one is AGM, one is Wet) I 
>prefer wet cells all round -- I know what the magazines and west adviser 
>say, I know the science behind it, but I'm a curious guy so I try it out in 
>my boat when it's not critical and what I find is that on our boats with 
>their minimal power needs it's really tough to drain well maintained 
>batteries.
>
>How did you do it?
>
>Bill Effros
>
>Bob Keller wrote:
>
>>I paid (overpaid?) someone to run cables from my electric start motor to 
>>the battery under the port settee.  Then we connected both batteries 
>>together and so now I charge both batteries with the motor, and two solar 
>>panels and even have an electric charger on board if needed.  Guess what?  
>>My batteries are currently dead...
>>
>>Anyway, I vote with Chris who used jumper cables.  The cables in my boat 
>>are big-but I don't know the size.  Lots of useful information here, isn't 
>>there?
>>Bob K
>>
>>
>>>From: Michel Meltzer <mjm at michaelmeltzer.com>
>>>Reply-To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>>>To: 'The Rhodes 22 mail list' <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>>>Subject: RE: [Rhodes22-list] 12 volt wire gauge from OB to Cabin 
>>>(10'maxassumed)
>>>Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2006 13:33:35 -0500
>>>
>>>Been their before on the sizing, IIRC my run from the front(under the
>>>step) to the mount lungs was 16 feet each way(32 total) and the motor
>>>had #8 wire leads for 8 feet each way(meant to go on the battery) for
>>>another 16 feet worth, it a good trip,, because the batty is far away
>>>the voltage regulator also gets effected on charging(i.e. the voltage
>>>drop), after everything was said and done, #4 came out right and I used
>>>#2 just to improve performance and all but handle a dead short. NOW #2
>>>could be a PITA for getting it passed the bulkhead but I did not have
>>>that issue. Using the breaker is just cheap insurance.
>>>
>>>-MJM
>>>
>>> > -----Original Message-----
>>> > From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org [mailto:rhodes22-list-
>>> > bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of R22RumRunner at aol.com
>>> > Sent: Sunday, January 29, 2006 12:47 PM
>>> > To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
>>> > Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] 12 volt wire gauge from OB to Cabin (10'
>>> > maxassumed)
>>> >
>>> > Bill,
>>> > Not necessarily true. Having to large a wire makes for difficult
>>>handling,
>>> > but also is a waste of money. Sizing the wire to the required project
>>>is
>>> > always
>>> >  the best way to go.
>>> >
>>> > Rummy
>>> > __________________________________________________
>>> > Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>>>
>>>__________________________________________________
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>>
>>
>>
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