tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773370276862539169.post8663273531015554886..comments2024-03-24T03:23:46.858-06:00Comments on This Rat Sailed: Master Of All TradesMike Boydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14279932231094933575noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773370276862539169.post-73000642153920768282016-01-24T05:26:29.139-07:002016-01-24T05:26:29.139-07:00Yep, they make Dekka and I think they are the ones...Yep, they make Dekka and I think they are the ones that are re-branded for West Marine (in case you want to spend way too much for the same battery). ;-)Mike Boydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14279932231094933575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773370276862539169.post-63083345294416099242016-01-23T20:57:23.068-07:002016-01-23T20:57:23.068-07:00The Dekka batteries are what East Penn makes.
Deb...The Dekka batteries are what East Penn makes.<br /><br />Deb<br />SV Kintala<br />www.theretirementproject.blogspot.com<br />Debhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01093436662653044390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773370276862539169.post-14357663854781944412016-01-23T10:30:58.560-07:002016-01-23T10:30:58.560-07:00Hey Ben,
Yeah, lithium seems like a good idea...b...Hey Ben,<br /><br />Yeah, lithium seems like a good idea...but I'm going to wait until the tech is a bit older. As I mentioned, I've learned that being an early adopter can be a costly proposition but once they become a bit older, they might well be worth it.<br /><br />The thing that bugs me is that these batteries really should last more than 3~5 years if taken care of...yet most practical experience says otherwise. I have heard that the GC batteries have a greater chance of living up to their life potential.<br /><br />It is cold here today...right now 32 and yesterday was raining buckets...so it is still warmer down there, even if the weather isn't perfect. Hope we can catch up some time soon.Mike Boydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14279932231094933575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773370276862539169.post-39278277326932214262016-01-23T10:19:19.134-07:002016-01-23T10:19:19.134-07:00Sorry to hear Mike. We had the exact same issue. S...Sorry to hear Mike. We had the exact same issue. Splashed the boat at Stingray Point and realized, after disconnecting from shore power after 3 months, our house bank wasn't up for the task. Grabbed 6 West Marine Deka batteries. We now have 660 AH and they've been working well. <br /><br />I don't expect much more than 2-3 years of service before we have to replace again. Partly that's me not willing to risk our auto pilot failing on passage. We'll consider Lithium in 2-3 years simply for the fact you can almost fully discharge them. <br /><br />Rainy, cloudy & windy in Florida. Don't rush down here too fast ;) <br />Benhttp://findingparadise.canoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773370276862539169.post-60395192175183056652016-01-23T05:45:24.734-07:002016-01-23T05:45:24.734-07:00That is good to know. Wonder if they have any goo...That is good to know. Wonder if they have any good deals on the GC2's. The idea of more, smaller, higher amp-hour batteries seems to be growing on me more every day. Mike Boydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14279932231094933575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773370276862539169.post-25428785158818325532016-01-22T22:04:00.424-07:002016-01-22T22:04:00.424-07:00Mike if you can find an East Penn Manufacturing wa...Mike if you can find an East Penn Manufacturing warehouse near you, they sell factory seconds AGM for less than new wet cells. We got our 8D that way and it's been doing fine for 2.5 years. No warranty, but at the price it doesn't matter. I know there's one in Ft. Lauderdale if you can wait that long.<br /><br />Deb<br />SV Kintala<br />www.theretirementproject.blogspot.com<br />Debhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01093436662653044390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773370276862539169.post-26135419629503073062016-01-22T20:42:41.459-07:002016-01-22T20:42:41.459-07:00Thanks Roscoe. As for series versus parallel wiri...Thanks Roscoe. As for series versus parallel wiring, the one catch on a sailboat that shouldn't exist as much in a fixed land-based system is shading. Booms and sails can shade randomly and series wiring kills everything in the series circuit. Parallel with an MMPT controller is the typical best-case solution for sailboats...as I understand it.Mike Boydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14279932231094933575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773370276862539169.post-47900707946124106492016-01-22T20:28:23.497-07:002016-01-22T20:28:23.497-07:00Mike,
When people say 'on condition' the...Mike,<br /><br /> When people say 'on condition' they mean battery condition, not environmental conditional. Cold is the enemy of all batteries.<br /><br />Back in the early 90 I worked at a gov lab that deployed weather buoys (10, 11, 3, NOMAD meter) that used lead acid gold cart batteries, marine batteries and my job in software was to monitor battery condition in the weather reports. These buoys are never someplace nice. They are unmanned and on their own for 5-9 years. With yearly or less service.<br /><br />The Golf Cart batteries needed water level checks every 3 months for the first 5 years, and monthly thereafter in 99% of cases. Some might go on the monthly service schedule early, if battery conditions indicate.<br /><br />FYI<br /><br />Roscoe<br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00281563035961232346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773370276862539169.post-39112102850954552072016-01-22T20:00:59.678-07:002016-01-22T20:00:59.678-07:00Mike,
We have as a family 4 electric golf carts....Mike,<br /><br /> We have as a family 4 electric golf carts. I use one at the shop to move planes around, etc. I get about 10 years on the batteries. At first I can go weeks between charges (I have a charge meter in the carts). Near the end, a day or so, and if it sits for a week fully charged, will need it in a few hours.<br /><br />Costco usually has the best prices on the golf cart batteries (wet cell) so you need to check them every 3 months at first and monthy after 5 years.<br /><br />Whatever type of battery you get, always replace a whole bank. Charger work best this way, and the battery pack last the longest.<br /><br />The biggest difference between car and golf cart batteries (sans voltage) is that car batteries are to be charged slowly and then discharged rapidly for a brief period. Golf cart batteries charge quickly and can sustain a steady and very long duration draw.<br /><br />Been studying up for solar. Solar tip, wire panel in series to get the voltage up, this reduces inverted cost and give charging at first light.<br /><br />Cheers<br /><br />RoscoeAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00281563035961232346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773370276862539169.post-15001431421228119382016-01-22T15:29:14.296-07:002016-01-22T15:29:14.296-07:00Hey Chris,
The house bank sits under a false floo...Hey Chris,<br /><br />The house bank sits under a false floor in our cockpit settee. I believe, just like the propane locker across from it, has vents below that lead under the bridge deck of the boat. Hard to tell for sure as there are currently 350+ lbs of battery sitting on a tray in there and too much rain at the moment to go hop in the dink and slide under the boat to take a look. ;-)<br /><br />I wonder who makes the Duracell batteries...and if I can find someone with a Sams Club card...or maybe Costco sells them...will look into it.<br /><br />Thanks for the input. The AGM is appealing from the maintenance and safety standpoint, but the added capacity with the flooded cells is nice too. Do you know what "wattered regularly" actually is? Is it monthly? I never could get a good answer on that as most everyone says it depends on conditions...so I guess I want to know what it should be in the Caribbean. Of course, not an issue with the AGM versions.Mike Boydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14279932231094933575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773370276862539169.post-55820529080767122862016-01-22T14:54:34.359-07:002016-01-22T14:54:34.359-07:00Hi Mike
We replaced our house bank during our refi...Hi Mike<br />We replaced our house bank during our refit a couple years ago. One thing to consider is where the bank will reside. This is important for two reasons. One, these things need to breath, and hydrogen gas is given off. Also, the flooded type have to be watered very regularly, or there is a risk of a dry cell getting cooked during a vigorous charge cycle. The risk of explosion in a closed compartment filled with hydrogen gas from a battery is a scary thought... I once blew up a van battery while jump starting it. The sound was scary, like an M80, and it blew the top of the car battery over the house into the back yard. We bought the AGM sealed batteries and we have not had any problems. We found AGM Duracell golf cart batteries at Sams Club, and they have been fine for us. 6 of them, wired as you described, and we have about 630 amp/hours for the house bank. For us, the AGM batteries were the way to go.<br />Chris<br />SV SaltrunS/V Saltrunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09791427026161962610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773370276862539169.post-26237765455319103982016-01-22T13:38:13.975-07:002016-01-22T13:38:13.975-07:00Hi Mike,
Sorry to hear about the batteries, howeve...Hi Mike,<br />Sorry to hear about the batteries, however you may be able to restore more of their capacity. That info with link and other comments are in email I sent to you.<br />Doug in VTAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com