Date: Mon, 14 Mar 2011 16:22:39 -0400
Reply-To: David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Subject: Re: Auxilliary batteries
In-Reply-To: <BLU0-SMTP28CAECCB7BFE0AC8C453F090CD0@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1"
<html>
<body>
At 05:47 PM 3/13/2011, Gilles H Turmel wrote:<br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">Is there a better solution out
there?<br><br>
To my understanding the gel type battery will only give me higher life
expectancy of the battery with the same autonomy as acid type. Is that a
good assumption?</blockquote><br>
From the DEKA sealed-battery FAQ at
<a href="http://www.dekabatteries.com/assets/base/0139.pdf" eudora="autourl">
http://www.dekabatteries.com/assets/base/0139.pdf</a><br><br>
<font face="Trebuchet MS" size=4><b>What are the advantages and<br>
disadvantages of the different types<br>
of battery designs?<br>
</font><font face="Trebuchet MS">Gelled Electrolyte Advantages:<br>
</b></font><font face="Trebuchet MS" size=2> Totally
maintenance-free<br>
Air transportable<br>
Spillproof/leakproof<br>
No corrosion<br>
Superior deep cycle life<br>
Installs upright or on side (side installation may lose<br>
about 10% capacity)<br>
Very low to no gassing (unless overcharged)<br>
Compatible with sensitive electronic equipment<br>
Superior shelf life<br>
Superior rechargeability<br>
(from 0% to 90% in
3</font><font face="Trebuchet MS" size=1>1</font>
<font face="Trebuchet MS" size=2>.</font><font face="Trebuchet MS" size=1>
2 </font><font face="Trebuchet MS" size=2>hours)<br>
No recharge current limitation @ 13.8 volts<br>
Rugged and vibration-resistant<br>
Very safe at sea with no chlorine gas in bilge<br>
(due to sulfuric acid and salt water mixing)<br>
Versatile: Starting, Deep Cycle, Stationary<br>
Operates in wet environments
even under 30 feet of water<br>
Will not freeze to 20°F/30°C (if fully charged)<br>
Lowest cost-per-month (cost </font><font face="Symbol" size=2>χ
</font><font face="Trebuchet MS" size=2>months of life)<br>
Lowest cost-per-cycle (cost </font><font face="Symbol" size=2>χ
</font><font face="Trebuchet MS" size=2>life cycles)<br>
</font><font face="Trebuchet MS"><b>Gelled Electrolyte
Disadvantages:<br>
</b></font><font face="Trebuchet MS" size=2> Higher initial cost<br>
Heavier weight<br>
Water cannot be replaced if continually overcharged<br>
Automatic temperature-sensing,<br>
voltage-regulated chargers
</font><font face="Trebuchet MS" size=2><b>must
</b></font><font face="Trebuchet MS" size=2>be used<br>
Charge voltage </font><font face="Trebuchet MS" size=2><b>must
</b></font><font face="Trebuchet MS" size=2>be limited to extend
life<br>
(13.8 to 14.1 volts maximum at 68°F)<br><br>
<br>
</font><font face="Trebuchet MS"><b>Absorbed Electrolyte Advantages:<br>
</b></font><font face="Trebuchet MS" size=2> Totally
maintenance-free<br>
Air transportable<br>
Spillproof/leakproof<br>
No corrosion<br>
Installs upright or on side<br>
Lower cost than gel cell batteries<br>
Compatible with sensitive electronic equipment<br>
Very low to no gassing (unless overcharged)<br>
Excellent for starting and stationary applications<br>
Superior for shorter duration/higher rate discharges<br>
Superior under extreme cold conditions when fully charged<br>
Superior shelf life<br>
Superior rechargeability<br>
(from 0% to 90% in
3</font><font face="Trebuchet MS" size=1>1</font>
<font face="Trebuchet MS" size=2>.</font><font face="Trebuchet MS" size=1>
2 </font><font face="Trebuchet MS" size=2>hours)<br>
Rugged and vibration-resistant<br>
Very safe at sea with no chlorine gas in bilge<br>
(due to sulfuric acid and salt water mixing)<br>
Operates in wet environments
even under 30 feet of water<br>
</font><font face="Trebuchet MS"><b>Absorbed Electrolyte
Disadvantages:<br>
</b></font><font face="Trebuchet MS" size=2> Shorter cycle life than gel
in very deep cycle applications<br>
Automatic temperature-sensing,<br>
voltage-regulated chargers
</font><font face="Trebuchet MS" size=2><b>must
</b></font><font face="Trebuchet MS" size=2>be used<br>
Water cannot be replaced if continually overcharged<br>
Charge voltage </font><font face="Trebuchet MS" size=2><b>must
</b></font><font face="Trebuchet MS" size=2>be limited<br>
(14.4 to 14.6 volts maximum at 68°F)<br><br>
<br>
</font><font face="Trebuchet MS"><b>Flooded Electrolyte Advantages:<br>
</b></font><font face="Trebuchet MS" size=2> Lowest initial cost<br>
Higher cranking amps<br>
Water can be added (if accessible)<br>
Excellent for starting applications<br>
Tolerant of improper recharge voltage<br>
Certain designs are good for deep cycle applications<br>
Replacements readily available<br>
Good under extreme cold conditions when fully charged<br>
</font><font face="Trebuchet MS"><b>Flooded Electrolyte
Disadvantages:<br>
</b></font><font face="Trebuchet MS" size=2> Spillable<br>
Operates upright only<br>
Shorter shelf life<br>
Fewer shipping options<br>
Cannot be installed near sensitive electronic equipment<br>
Watering may be required (if accessible)</font></body>
</html>
| 
