Edd, I am not claiming to be an expert, but from what I have read so far, the AGMs might be a costly solution to a somewhat non-existing problem.
Check Main Sail’s write ups on batteries (he did a few additional ones recently). If I understand these things correctly, the best performance per $ you will get from the wet cells (proper marine deep cycle ones). The longest duty cycle – from the golf batteries (the main disadvantage – they are higher than most other batteries, but this is for a reason – there is extra electrolyte over the plates and they don’t get uncovered when the boat heels). The most convenient – gel cells (few disadvantages of AGMs and most of the advantages of wet cells plus they don’t spill, don’t have issues with heeling angle and can be placed safely in the cabin). AGMs would require special care (when charging) and may not last that long. You may find interesting the results of the battery survey Main Sail did recently. Here is the link to his “early results”: http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=168972. Or his take on the flooded deep cycle batteries here: http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/deep_cycle_battery&page=1 Marek From: Edd Schillay via CnC-List Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2015 12:16 PM To: C&C List Subject: Re: Stus-List Batteries -- Flooded, Sealed or AGM? Josh, I’m leaning towards 4 to 6 (depending on the space available) Trojan T-105s, but am concerned about the maintenance, especially since I’m kinda cut off from the boat all winter long. Alternatively, I was looking at these AGMs: http://www.atbatt.com/amstron-gc2-6v-agm-deep-cycle-battery.asp?utm_content=Amstron-AP-GC2&utm_term=AP-GC2&utm_category=Sealed-Lead-Acid&gclid=CLy95KfH_cMCFXBp7Aod2WkA2g, but won’t bother if AGMs are only going to last a few years. My charging system is the alternator, since the Enterprise lives on a mooring during the season (yes — we call that "standard orbit"). I only hook up to shore power a few times a year when cruising. The new system will connect the alternator to the house bank and use a Blue Seas ACR (https://www.bluesea.com/products/7610/SI-ACR_Automatic_Charging_Relay_-_12_24V_DC_120A) to also charge the starting battery. That means I'll have a New-In-Box Echo Charger to sell this Spring. All the best, Edd Edd M. Schillay Starship Enterprise C&C 37+ | Sail No: NCC-1701-B City Island, NY Starship Enterprise's Captain's Log On Feb 25, 2015, at 11:53 AM, Josh Muckley <muckl...@gmail.com> wrote: I was at a point of extremes when I bought 5 AutoZone marine/deep cycle for a total of about $600 and 500Ahrs (~250Ahrs usable without damage). They are the standard maintenance free auto style which can be but are not intended to be watered. For me they were relatively cheap, readily available, easy to claim warranty, light enough to move/install/uninstall. They are also the easiest to charge and discharge since it is such a long standing standard. There are certainly advantages to other technologies and disadvantages to wet cells but for now this solution has met my needs very comfortably. T-105 golf cart batteries would really be my only other concideration but availability, movability, and warranty claimability are hold backs. You also have to consider the charging system when choosing batteries. I have a 100amp balmer alternator with external charge controller and a ProMariner P Nautic 60-12 charger/maintainer. There are disadvantages to staying on shore power 24/7 but it is working for me right now. Maybe I'll change that practice in the future. Josh Muckley S/V Sea Hawk 1989 C&C 37+ Solomons, MD On Feb 25, 2015 11:17 AM, "Edd Schillay via CnC-List" <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote: Listers, As you know, I’m redoing the electrical systems on the Enterprise (thanks to all for diagrams and advice). So now comes the question of what type of battery to use in my house bank — Flooded, Sealed or AGM? What do you have on your C&C and why do you prefer it? And, if you have flooded, how often do you top them off with distilled water? The countdown has begun! http://enterpriseb.blogspot.com/2015/02/launch-of-enterprise-countdown.html All the best, Edd Edd M. Schillay Starship Enterprise C&C 37+ | Sail No: NCC-1701-B City Island, NY Starship Enterprise's Captain's Log _______________________________________________ Email address: CnC-List@cnc-list.com To change your list preferences, including unsubscribing -- go to the bottom of page at: http://cnc-list.com/mailman/listinfo/cnc-list_cnc-list.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- _______________________________________________ Email address: CnC-List@cnc-list.com To change your list preferences, including unsubscribing -- go to the bottom of page at: http://cnc-list.com/mailman/listinfo/cnc-list_cnc-list.com
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