Batteries

[ebb]

Reasonable options is what these pages are all about!
Including the wit and humor from certain Commandereers.

Next generation batteries are extremely attractive and expensive.
And I believe that Nigel Calder article is almost 5 years old.
So maybe there's been some acid gone under the plates by now.
Stamped out paper-thin (less than 1/64 inch and 99 44/100 percent pure virgin lead) pages does sound like an advertising gimmick, but maybe there's been enough time to get the bugs out of this FOURTH type of lead/acid battery.
By necessity thin plates would have to be supported by something inside like glass mat,
So I assume all the TPPL have to be AGM. Don't think that Gels are seriously considered anymore.

This tricky new product has to be linked with sophisticated electronics.
And the way I read it, AGM batteries, as far as cruisers are concerned, don't work well off grid.
They're not foolproof even with expensive controllers and cruising conditions.

So, the new bat will bring us another set of problems, large and small, that have to be worked with and worked out? - or is the TPPL the maintenance-free answer? Will they vent, for instance? Can they take any neglect?

Are we still waiting to see?
Are there 3 happy sailors out there that have 3 years of cruising with these babies?
At some point I'll compare costs of GCs with TPPLs.

The battery mounting system will still need a leakproof tray for the battery bank.
And a waterproof lid to insure against shorting and dollops of water coming through the companionway!

And I agree with you that NIGEL CALDER is the most trustworthy guru we have on marine matters. He is faultless so far as I can read into his M&EM tome on marine esoterica. I have his cruising volume as well. Will read anything that comes up Calder publishes in the media. We are lucky indeed to have him as the authority we can go to!