[Rhodes22-list] Battteries

[Brad Haslett]

Wally,

I've been all over the map on battery issues.  Frankly, golf cart batteries
wired in series is the way to go on a boat except that there is a better
system if you don't have room for two sets (in a Rhodes 22 you don't).  In
the R-22 you'd be better off with two 12 volt batteries with a switch.  The
key to battery longevity is to not discharge below 50% and use a three stage
charger.  I have an expensive high-end battery in my airplane because it's a
bear to start cold and I'll pay the extra for the little extra umpth in
starting amperage.  In everything else, cars, equipment, toys, etc., I've
found it is just as cost effective to buy a Costco, Sams Club, or WalMart
el'cheapo and buy a new one when they're toast.  My experience with
expensive batteries is that they fail at the same rate as the el'cheapos,
and after the pro-rate are quite a bit more expensive in the long run.
Taking care of the battery you have is a lot more cost effective than opting
for high-end expensive units.

Hmmm.  This may apply to wives as well.  Let me think about that!

Brad

On 4/13/07, TN Rhodey <tnrhodey at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> Bill, You ask why don't cars have 2 6-volt batteries...   Cars have a high
> output alternator. The benefits of 6 volt golf cart battery don't apply.
> Cars need high output for starting.
>
> If I had a live aboard I would consider using 6 volt batteries. The big
> advantage to the golf cart battery is that they hold up much better when
> abused. They can be re-charged faster and last longer than 12 volts. That
> is
> why cruisers love them.
>
> Wally
>
>
> >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: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Battteries
> >Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2007 13:36:10 -0300
> >
> >Bob,
> >
> >Stay away from this complexity.  It's simply not needed in our boats.
> >Nobody runs out of power on our boats.  The golf cart batteries don't
> >fit anywhere.
> >
> >If you are worried about this, get an outboard with electric
> >start/generator.  If your battery runs out, you pull the starter cord,
> >start your motor, and it will provide you with enough electricity to
> >power your running lights.  That's all you need.  If it's daytime, you
> >don't need any power at all.
> >
> >When a golf cart battery is dead a golf cart can't move.  Not so a
> >sailboat.
> >
> >Your car doesn't have 2 golf cart batteries wired in series.  Why not?
> >
> >The biggest draw most of us put on our batteries is the stereo system.
> >
> >I'm done.
> >
> >Bill Effros
> >
> >Bob Fletcher wrote:
> > > In his book "Sailboat Electonics Simplified" Don Casey has an
> extensive
> > > discussin of battery types and configurations.  He seems to endorse
> the
> > > option of two 6 volt golf cart batteries wired in series.  Apparently
> >they
> > > are rugged and much more affordable than "dedicated" marine batteries.
> > >
> > > Bob Fletcher
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "John Lock" <jlock at relevantarts.com>
> > > To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> > > Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 10:32 AM
> > > Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Battteries
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >> At 11:57 AM 4/11/2007 -0400, CORLEYMICHAELSIX at aol.com wrote:
> > >>
> > >>> Got to buy new battery(s) for my 99 Rhodes.  It is set up for and
> had
> >2
> > >>> batteries before I put it in storage.  Intending to buy deep cycle
> > >>> wet  cells,
> > >>> debating weather to buy one Group 27 or 2 Group 24s or 2 Group
> > >>> 27s.   Have solar
> > >>> panels, VHF, digital depth gauge and knot meter, pull  start
> outboard.
> > >>> Need
> > >>> advice.
> > >>>
> > >> Strangely enough, I was just reading an article about batteries the
> > >> other day!  This article was written from an RV perspective, but I'm
> > >> guessing our boat usage is pretty similar.  One very intriguing
> > >> alternative was using 2, 6-volt golf cart batteries in series to
> > >> produce 12 volts.  Apparently golf cart batteries offer some of the
> > >> highest amp-hour ratings available.
> > >>
> > >> See article at
> > >> http://www.ccis.com/home/mnemeth/12volt/12volt.htm   Scroll down to
> > >> "Selecting batteries".
> > >>
> > >> Cheers!
> > >>
> > >> John Lock
> > >> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> > >> s/v Pandion - '79 Rhodes 22
> > >> Lake Sinclair, GA
> > >> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> > >>
> > >> __________________________________________________
> > >> Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
> > >>
> > >>
> > >
> > >
> > > __________________________________________________
> > > Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
> > >
> > >
> >__________________________________________________
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>
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