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Date:         Wed, 12 Mar 2003 14:22:02 -0800
Reply-To:     Mark Belanger <belanger@FLUID.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mark Belanger <belanger@FLUID.COM>
Organization: Fluid, Inc.
Subject:      Re: Optima vs. Generic
Comments: To: David Devere <devereda@MSN.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <BAY3-DAV66QqAHH9r8q0001ac89@hotmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

David Beierl gave me a great response to a different question that applies here, I believe:

"Second, if you really want to pull 150-watt loads for any length of time, go do some studying at http://www.amplepower.com/ and do some studying. It's perfectly possible to use batteries efficiently, but you're not going to do it with an automotive charging system. At a minimum you'll need a deep-cycle battery; and either a three-stage "smart" regulator like the Ample Power Next-Step device (their cheapest at $300; I've been running one on Scamp for 2-3 years now and it performs exactly as advertised, using a 35-amp alternator charging roughly 300 amp-hours of capacity in two banks) or a manual regulator that's cheap, but you have to watch it like a hawk."

I'd check out that link as there's a good primer on batteries and why deep-cycle is the way to go. Note that I think a lot of what's said on Ample Power is complete overkill, but their target market is RVs with battery banks, not Westies and single small battery.

FWIW, MB

David Devere wrote: > Can anyone convince me why, besides the obvious reason of better charge life, I should buy an Optima battery vs. using an old Die Hard for a second aux. battery in my van? What are the problems with using a conventional battery? I understand the Optima is safer because it is sealed but do I really need to be that worried? > > Thanks -Dave > Duluth MN Where the temp tomorrow is going to be a sultry 40F. Warm enough finally to work on the Van! > 87 Syncro Westy with 177K

-- _______________________________________________________________________ Mark Belanger - belanger@fluid.com


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