Fwd: Battery query

[David Rosmarin]

Subject: Battery query



The crocuses are out and thoughts are on sailing.  I am replacing the defunct wheel autohelm on my 35.5 cb, so as to make singlehanding a tad safer. Rarely motoring much, I hastened the death of two 6 volt AGM  house batteries. Just bought a Gopower 190 watt solar panel to lash atop the bimini. 

My question: given that AGMs are said to be sensitive to overcharging ( as well as to not replenishing and over- depleting), and presuming the advertised electronics of the solar panel indeed can appropriately charge either flooded or AGMs, how do I know my alternator won’t overcharge $800 in AGMs?

That would push me to purchase flooded. 

The engine is a Universal m30, 24 HP. 

Thanks for your thoughts. 

David Rosmarin 

[david nederhood]

Dave, good morning:

I am still very much a learner when it comes to batteries and the electronics associated with them. So I would refer you to Rod's site at Compass Marine who has a litany of articles on these topics and is far more knowledgeable than me. He is at: Marine How To - DIY for Boaters - Marine How To

Marine How To - DIY for Boaters - Marine How To For DIY boaters in an attempt to try and keep the sport as affordable & safe as possible. How To articles for sa...

In fact one of his articles is about charging AGM's.

If looking to buy equipment and get more advice/information would highly recommend Alan at Baymarinesupply.com...I spent about 30-45 minutes with Alan learning about lithium (I am going full in here) batteries (100amp x 2 - house) that will fit in my current battery box, just forward of my nav station and underneath the port settee...Alan is a wealth of information and patient, tolerating my novice questions about alternators, LiFe batteries, battery monitoring, voltage sensitive relay, etc. 

Alan let me know that my current Leece Neville 90amp alternator is good with the lithiums and that what I should buy would be a quality battery monitor (Victron 712). 

I am not affiliated with either, but did donate to Rod at Compass.

thnks

dave 

ps I just got my Cetrek propilot 700, below deck autopilot working again.  So will be curious how it does this season and how much power it requires from my batteries

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[Baywatch Sim Pilot]

Hi David, 
The alternator should not ever overcharge the batteries.  If it does, the regulator is not working.  
I went to all AGMs.  With lead acid, one mistake would severely hasten the death of the batteries.  If they are kept topped off with a proper solar controller (I recommend MPPT chargers), they will last many, many years.

-Jerry Lee