Battery Help

[rewell6]

Even brand new batteries aren't all the same.

There was a recent thread that discussed this.

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/showth...ring+batteries

[rewell6]

Originally Posted by btrayfors

"a little charge once in a while is enough"

No, sorry, that's NOT enough.

When you purchase batteries do they disconnect them from a charger? NO they sit on a shelf without being charged for some time before you get them.

They do not have to stay on a charger all winter.

[SEMIJim]

Freesail99,

Were you going to rely solely on the solar panels for battery charging, or were you going to also obtain a suitable shore-power-powered charger? If the latter: Why not just get the charger you'd ultimately install in the boat and hook it up?

Sorry to hear of your health and vendor troubles. The former is why The Admiral and I decided to get into sailboating now, rather than wait for my retirement. Too many niggling little health issues, and sometimes scary false alarms (so far), as we've been getting older. As to the latter: Vendors get one shot at doing me wrong.

Good luck.

Jim

[btrayfors]

"NO they sit on a shelf without being charged for some time before you get them."

Exactly right! And that, my friend, is also EXACTLY WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO KEEP THEM CHARGED AT ALL TIMES.

A large part of the variation in capacity of new batteries...right off the shelf...is due to self-discharge and sulfation after manufacture and before installation and use.

Bill

[CapnHand]

Originally Posted by rewell6

Even brand new batteries aren't all the same.

There was a recent thread that discussed this.

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/showth...ring+batteries

Sorry, I'm stupid (just in case you haven't picked up on that already). I couldn't find what you were referring to in that thread. Which post#?

[Cruisingdad]

Free-

I am very sorry to hear about your health issues. Keep us informed.

Just my copy/re-post of what Bill said... I totally agree. The only think I would add is to see if you can sell them in the meantime to someone. SUrely you can get a large percentage of your money back. Then, buy them again when ready. If you do sell them, see if you can go AGM.

All the best.

- CD

[Cruisingdad]

One other edit: Bill, not sure why you would have to have 00 wire. THere should not be anything going "out", just coming in - right? Wouldn't he be fine with a lot smaller wire?

WIth the cost of wire and considering it is temporary, I am just throwing out a thought.

- CD

[SanderO]

He is describing correctly what gauge cable you use in a paralleling situation BETWEEN batteries.

When you connect large capacity batts together you make "jumpers" of 00 gauge.

jef
sv shiva

[Cruisingdad]

Originally Posted by SanderO

He is describing correctly what gauge cable you use in a paralleling situation BETWEEN batteries.

When you connect large capacity batts together you make "jumpers" of 00 gauge.

jef
sv shiva

No, I understand that if they are going to be used... but just to keep them charged?? Consdiering it will mostly be just a trickle charge, would that be over doing it?

[AjariBonten]

One thing to be sure of, don't leave the batteries sitting on a concrete floor. I can't remember the exact mechanism; but I understand it can cause a severe discharge problem over time.

Unless it's an old wives tale, ikn which case I'm sure someone will set me straight.