Date:         Sat, 15 Oct 2005 19:16:21 -0700
Reply-To:     Doug F <vanagon@ASTOUND.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Doug F <vanagon@ASTOUND.NET>
Subject:      Re: Deep cycle battery
Comments: To: tom ring <taring@TARING.ORG>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Tom,
Your not alone, I too have given up on buying expensive batteries. I run the
standard group 41 $39.95 Wal-Mart battery under my driver's seat as my
camping battery. It has a free 2 year full replacement warranty so if I do
ruin it I will try to do it within 24 mos.

When they wont hold up to my use I will THEN consider upgrading to better.
So far all my small trips etc  for over the past year its been fine.

Sometimes less is best, no cutting posts, or mods, simple clean and works.


----- Original Message -----
From: "tom ring" <taring@TARING.ORG>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, October 15, 2005 6:17 PM
Subject: Re: Deep cycle battery


> It sounds like I'm probably an exception, but I had a red top that got
taken to
> zero only once by a very slow drain, and then lost a cell within 3 months
of
> that.  I'm probably lucky that I didn't have an alternator failure.  I
noticed
> it because the alternator belt squeeled occasionally.  I then checked the
no
> load voltage, and found the problem.  Total life, 21 months.
>
> I will probably never buy another.  Not worth the extra price IMHO.  It
was
> replaced with a nice standard type 41 wet cell low maintenance from NAPA
for
> about half the price.
>
> Tom
>
> On 15 Oct 2005 at 7:33, Mark Magee wrote:
>
> > Steven,
> > I had never heard of the Sonnenschein dryfit, I went and read up on
them.
> > >From what I read they are the same technology as Optima's: Absorbed
Glass
> > Mat, so I assume they will perform excellently.
> > I have a Red Top (starting only) in my 90 Carat laid forward on it's
side
> > and it has been deep cycled to zero numerous times by children leaving
dome
> > lights on in the van. After a recharge you can't notice any noticeable
loss
> > of CCA's when starting. That is a big change vs. wet cell starting batts
> > which are noticeably damaged upon accidental deep cycle.
> > I am sold on AGM technology and my Optima's have never failed so far, I
just
> > don't have any experience with other companies AGM batteries.
> > If the Sonnenschein dryfit fits without alteration that is an advantage,
for
> > I did have to do some slight alteration to get the Optima to fit: laid
on
> > it's side, terminal to chassis insulation ect.
> > Mark
> >
>
>
> -----------------------------------------
> Tom Ring K0TAR, ex-WA2PHW  EN34hx
> 85 Westphalia GL Albert
> 96 Jetta GL The Intimidator
> taring@taring.org
>
> What happens if a big asteroid hits the Earth?  Judging from realistic
> simulations
> involving a sledge hammer and a common laboratory frog, we can assume it
will
> be pretty bad.
>                 - Dave Barry
> -----------------------------------------