Buying 12V Batteries in Europe

salsman · #1 (**permalink**) 03-02-2007

Does anyone have any experience with buying 12V Gel or AGM batteries in Europe?

Are they readily available?

Pricing similar to North America?

Is sizing similar?

We have 4 x 4d gel batteries aboard that are working OK but they are 5 years old and I do notice some diminished capacity. It is hard to tell, how diminished they are. I suspect that I can get more time out of them but.....
I am leaving in May from Halifax to Portugal. I will be charging by alternator and wind while on route.

There is one side of me that says just replace now. There is my frugal side which says, though somewhat diminished in capacity, they are not really bad now. I have recently noticed some improvement in holding a charge with the addition of a de-sulfator, and why not wait and see how I make out. Hopefully I can buy replacements in Europe if needed.

hence my questions at the top.
Thanks for your help
Regards
Rick

Idiens · #2 (**permalink**) 03-02-2007

Yes, you can buy almost anything in Europe, somewhere. AGM or gel batteries, in Germany, for example:- www.svb.de for ConTec AGM part numbers 14891 to 14896 on page 69 of their catalogue. I can't compare prices though. Check each cell's specific gravity when fully charged to see how good they are: should be above 1.26.

camaraderie · #3 (**permalink**) 03-02-2007

Idiens...how do you check specific gravity on sealed batteries?

Salsman...my guess is you'll find them a lot more expensive but available in Europe. Giulietta may be able to quote some portugese pricing since that is where you are heading..suggest you PM him. I note that you use gels/AGM's kinda interchangeably in your post. Since I don't know what your level of knowledge is I will make the point that AGM's require a completely different charging regimen than Gel cells and that your regulator/inverter/charger settings will need to be adjusted if you finally replace the gels with AGM's. From all I've read, I think that few people are now choosing gels. AGM's or flooded seem to offer the best ultimate performance on a boat in real cruising use.

Welcome aboard!

Idiens · #4 (**permalink**) 03-02-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by camaraderie

Idiens...how do you check specific gravity on sealed batteries?

Caught me there Cam, I should have read the post properly. I guess I assumed lead acid from the mention of a de-sulfator - easy to pour into a lead acid battery. The usual alternative to specific gravity testing is a load tester. I have one for lead acid batteries, but I have no idea how to calibrate it for AGM or gel batteries.

sailingdog · #5 (**permalink**) 03-02-2007

Idiens—

Um... you can't check the specific gravity of the electrolyte in an AGM or gel battery—they're sealed...so if you're getting electrolyte out...you've done something wrong. Also, Gel and AGM batteries don't have a liquid electrolyte.... one is a gel, the other is a gel in a glass matrix.

Idiens · #6 (**permalink**) 03-03-2007

SD - Can you add a de-sulfator to AGM or gel batteries, seeing how they are so sealed and all?

sailingdog · #7 (**permalink**) 03-03-2007

I don't think I would use a desulfator on AGM or gel batteries. The purpose of a de-sulfator is to clear the sulphate deposits from the face of the battery plates. However, many of the newer chargers will use a "pulse" chargng system of some sort, which may work to help reduce the risk of sulfation in the first place. What I would do is contact the battery manufacturer to see what their recommendation is for the specific type of battery you own.

Valiente · #8 (**permalink**) 03-03-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by salsman

rnator and wind while on route.

Why not just get new batteries in Halifax? Being a major port, odds are excellent that you'll find decent prices and selection, perhaps even to the "industrial" makes that your average West Marine customer will not know of.

salsman · #9 (**permalink**) 03-04-2007

Thanks for all you help. It seems the general consensus is that batteries and other gear is generally cheaper in North America.
Wet cell, gel cell and AGM batteries all do sulphate and this shortens their life. I am using an electronic desulfator. http://www.pulsetech.com/
to do the desulfating. I do not know much about them other than what is written but in my test so far it does appear to be helping and increasing the battery capacity. The question is, will it be enough
I will keep you posted.
regards
Rick