Batteries

[ebb]

We have no formal thread on batteries,
altho we touch on the subject in a number of threads.
One such is called Battery Charger.

www.morganscloud.com
On the web site menu punch 'electrical' and scroll down to BatteryTest 1 & 2.
google > AGM Battery Test Part 1
and AGM Battery Test Part 2
has a long discussion on lead/acid batteries (which includes Wet, Gel and AGM. These guys are cruisers with big boats and big battery banks. Their comments on the nature of each generation and type of battery is an excellent read with some relevance to our boats. It's a different class of conversation and things can be learned from their exchanges.

Pricey AGMs have been on my wish list for a long time.
I made models and created a slide for three batteries either 24, 27, or 31.
Have them planned for the lowest possible position under the bridge deck.
The hype I have subscribed to is that there is no hydrogen out gassing when charging.
And the simplicity of no maintenance. And longer life than wet.
NOT as simple as that since AGMs require high tech gizmos to TRY to keep them happy.
We get to read how not easy it is to keep AGMs on a boat.

I have very persuacively been convinced that 6V golfcart batteries could be the way to go.
4 6volt GCs will fit in the same space as the 3 standard sized AGMs.
I have seen these 6V in AGM form at twice the price, But cost wise regular wet GCs might be the way to go.
EXCEPT for the outgassing problem, sulfating and sulfuric acid in the accomadation.
A good percent of the MorgansCloud guys bought the hype but now don't like AGMs - some having installed and cruised with them for years - which is surprising to me anyway -
but you might want to read WHY?

I'm still confused. But what remains is
HOW DO WE SAFELY LIVE WITH WET CELLS IN OUR ARIEL/COMMANDER CABINS?


Any input on this?
How do you deal with ventilation? ....anything foolproof?