Is there a risk or only if they are cooking ?
Is that the primary reason I would want to go to AGMs ?
CAn someone comment on that aspect ?
Thanks,
CAthy in CT
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cathyinct |
Battery gases Wet cells vs AGMs |
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If my kids are sleeping in the aft cabin of our tri cabin are they being routinely exposes to battery gases coming from wet cell batteries ?
Is there a risk or only if they are cooking ? Is that the primary reason I would want to go to AGMs ? CAn someone comment on that aspect ? Thanks, CAthy in CT |
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peter |
same | #1 | ||
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Battery gases are bad, corrosive and explosive. Wet cells are the worst, with agm"s being good and gels being the best. Submarines used to use wet cells prior to the gels which made things better. However when charging old wet cell batteries,subs were on the surface fully vented. The best bang for the buck are the agm's . If equalizing wet cells, always vent the area and a fan blowing the nasty gases out also provides cooling to the battery locker. I could go on and on about batteries but that would just get boring. Hope this helps.
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azure42 |
re: Battery Gasses | #2 | ||
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A smart charging system, with battery temperature sensors and three-stage charging modes, will eliminate or minimize wet cell battery gasses when charging.
Rod Williams
Azure, #343, 2-cabin Alameda/San Francisco Bay, CA. |
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stevesnyder |
AGMs | #3 | ||
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Cathy, that is one reason to go to AGMs, but there are a couple of other reasons. One, they charge faster. We have found that they take a charge aobut 20% faster than wet cells. Two, they are maintenance free. You do nothing. Three, they can be installed in any position.
We changed to AGM golf carts last year and are very satisfied. We have 8 in the house bank and a group 27 as starting. They are fantastic...expensive. |
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melelana |
Battery Gas | #4 | ||
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Cathy,
As Rod says, batteries don't normally generate significant quantities of hydrogen gas unless they are charged at high rates with excessive voltage. Normal ventilation is more than adequate to prevent any build up in the cabin. You're kids aren't at risk. It's hard to get more AH/$ than you get with wet cells. Gel cells are heavy and expensive for the AH rating. Use the wrong charging voltage and they are dead. AGMs are gaining popularity for the reasons Steve points out. As more are used, prices are coming down. If you're buying new batteries, AGMs are a good way to go. Trojan is now selling 6 and 12 V AGM batteries at much lower prices than West Marine... Larry Melelana Catalina 42 # 175 1990 3cbn, wk Solomons, MD |
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cathyinct |
Re: Battery Gas | #5 | ||
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Thanks guys !!! I am trying to sell my hubby on the AGMs and then a SPURS line cutter for the prop this spring... wish me luck !@!@
CAthy |
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pdrimmer |
Re: Battery Gas | #6 | ||
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You should consider upgrading the entire electrical system, and then replace the batteries as one of the steps. A bigger alternator, smart regulator, battery isolator and starting batery will provide enough electrical power for a three or four day weekend without having to charge the batteries. The system can be made foolproof.
There are several threads about how to go about it, but all of the methods do the job. |
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cathyinct |
Re: Battery Gas | #7 | ||
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I still have a campers mentality to sailing.
I hate stereo music and prefer listening to the waves lap against the hull. We don't do TV and would rather watch our kids fish off the bow or pop a crab box over the side. And I pitched the microwave overboard to increase my space. And I refuse to use paper plates --- !! I watch all you guys with these significant projects and sometimes appreciate "my simplicity". Less to go wrong, less for me to maintain/repair. I do need the engine to start though !@!@! Anyway, I am trying to get a SPURS put on the shaft because our cruising time is increasing. I appreciate all your input and love this group ! Cheers !! CAthy in CT |
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azure42 |
re: battery gasses | #8 | ||
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Cathy,
You child abuser....it makes me shudder to picture your poor, abused children, boating without even an X-Box. You're going to pay for this neglect later when they grow up to be self-sufficient, well-adjusted adults -- you'll see. My wife had exactly the opposite attitude when we cruised on our boat -- she did not want to be "camping" on water.....but then we were two 50 year-olds, without young kids to set good examples for. I'm probably standing on Norm's last nerve, so before he snaps here's my C42 point -- I'm under the impression that the wet cell batteries under your berth cook off more gasses when they are over-charged by a (non-smart) charging system continuing to to blast a charge into a topped-off battery. With your minimal draw-down of AH, this may be something to consider on your boat. Someone on the board with good battery-charging knowledge could answer this. Rod Williams
Azure, #343, 2-cabin Alameda/San Francisco Bay, CA. |
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lakandjc |
agms | #9 | ||
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Get the AGMs! You will reap the benefits from faster charging, longer live, lower maint.
James Collins s/v White Star #450 Puerto Vallarta |
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CaptNorm42 |
Re: agms | #10 | ||
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If you install AGM batteries, you should be aware they have different charging parameters than lead acid. You pretty much need to replace all 12-volt batteries at the same time & modify the settings in the AC charger. Then, if you have an alternator with external regulation, it also needs to be changed to AGM settings. I don't think the stock Hitachi alternator (with internal regulation) cares, as there are no settings to change on it (pretty sure).
~~~~_/)~~~~
Norm Perron, Hull #600/2 cabin, Aphrodisiac, Marina del Rey, CA |
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