[Rhodes22-list] Batteries and solar panels

[Ellner]

Thanks everyone for the information.  Checking again I see the Optima is 
an AGM type battery.

Michael D. Weisner wrote:
> There is no special charger needed for AGM batteries.  If you can afford them, AGMs are the way to go.  See the following site:
>
> http://www.windsun.com/Batteries/Battery_FAQ.htm#AGM,%20or%20Absorbed%20Glass%20Mat%20Batteries
>
> or 
>
> http://tinyurl.com/4yhh3
>
> A portion of which is reproduced below:
>   Gelled electrolyte
>   Gelled batteries, or "Gel Cells" contain acid that has been "gelled" by the addition of Silica Gel, turning the acid into a solid mass that looks like gooey Jell-O. The advantage of these batteries is that it is impossible to spill acid even if they are broken. However, there are several disadvantages. One is that they must be charged at a slower rate (C/20) to prevent excess gas from damaging the cells. They cannot be fast charged on a conventional automotive charger or they may be permanently damaged. This is not usually a problem with solar electric systems, but if an auxiliary generator or inverter bulk charger is used, current must be limited to the manufacturers specifications. Most better inverters commonly used in solar electric systems can be set to limit charging current to the batteries.
>
>   Some other disadvantages of gel cells is that they must be charged at a lower voltage (2/10th's less) than flooded or AGM batteries. If overcharged, voids can develop in the gel which will never heal, causing a loss in battery capacity. In hot climates, water loss can be enough over 2-4 years to cause premature battery death. It is for this and other reasons that we no longer sell any of the gelled cells except for replacement use. The newer AGM (absorbed glass mat) batteries have all the advantages (and then some) of gelled, with none of the disadvantages.
>
>   AGM, or Absorbed Glass Mat Batteries
>   A newer type of sealed battery uses "Absorbed Glass Mats", or AGM between the plates. This is a very fine fiber Boron-Silicate glass mat. These type of batteries have all the advantages of gelled, but can take much more abuse. We sell the Concorde (and Lifeline, made by Concorde) AGM batteries. These are also called "starved electrolyte", as the mat is about 95% saturated rather than fully soaked. That also means that they will not leak acid even if broken.
>
>   AGM batteries have several advantages over both gelled and flooded, at about the same cost as gelled:
>   Since all the electrolyte (acid) is contained in the glass mats, they cannot spill, even if broken. This also means that since they are non-hazardous, the shipping costs are lower. In addition, since there is no liquid to freeze and expand, they are practically immune from freezing damage.
>
>   Nearly all AGM batteries are "recombinant" - what that means is that the Oxygen and Hydrogen recombine INSIDE the battery. These use gas phase transfer of oxygen to the negative plates to recombine them back into water while charging and prevent the loss of water through electrolysis. The recombining is typically 99+% efficient, so almost no water is lost.
>
>   The charging voltages are the same as for any standard battery - no need for any special adjustments or problems with incompatible chargers or charge controls. And, since the internal resistance is extremely low, there is almost no heating of the battery even under heavy charge and discharge currents. The Concorde (and most AGM) batteries have no charge or discharge current limits.
>
>   AGM's have a very low self-discharge - from 1% to 3% per month is usual. This means that they can sit in storage for much longer periods without charging than standard batteries. The Concorde batteries can be almost fully recharged (95% or better) even after 30 days of being totally discharged.
>
>
> Mike
> s/v Shanghai'd Summer ('81)
> Nissequogue River, NY
>
> From: <ejor2 at aol.com> Thursday, January 07, 2010 1:25 PM
>   
>> If you are going to spend that much on a battery you may want to also look at the AGM type vs the gel. My understanding is the cost is similar. Most of what I read online seemed to be that the AGM types were better than gels. No personal experiance, just what I've read. Also, pay attention to the weight when comparing different brands with the same amp ratings, the heavier the better, might be stating the obvious but...
>>
>> Eric
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Rick <sloopblueheron at gmail.com>
>> To: The Rhodes 22 Email List <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>> Sent: Thu, Jan 7, 2010 12:39 pm
>> Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Batteries and solar panels
>>
>>
>> Rod,
>> You'll need a voltage regulator tuned to gel batteries because the solar
>> anel voltage can get pretty high when the sun is bright and the weather is
>> ot.
>> Rick
>> On Wed, Jan 6, 2010 at 10:16 PM, Ellner <ellner at pressenter.com> wrote:
>>     
>> Hey
>>
>>  The local boat show is in two weeks and the garden seed packets are in
>> the store. Can ice out be far away?
>>
>> I have to buy two new batteries for Toy Blew this year.  Has anyone used
>> the  Optima blue (marine combination battery) gel battery?  $155 each,
>> Whew.
>>
>> I have two solar panels from GB.  Does anyone know the wattage of the
>> panels and do they  have a diode?  I have used Interstate Marine
>> previously and have had good luck with them.
>>
>> Thanks
>> Rod
>> Toy Blue 1987/2009
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