Re: [OMC-Boats] AGM Batteries

Michael brings up a very good point relating to how important battery
storage is for extending service life. All battery (regardless of
type) life will be decreased by temperature swings, especially when
not in use.

In the summer my boat sits in a secure storage lot. But the hot sun
can result in temperatures exceeding 110 - 130 F under the canvas
storage cover.
That's where the deshulphators come into play. Aircraft owners know
this and have similar concerns.

Also, it is important to always pull your batteries out of service at
seasons end, give them a slow, but full charge and then "store them in
a cool, dry place," as the Travelling Wilburys used to sing.
Freezing winter temps is certain (premature) death to a battery that
is just sitting and not having its charge level (specific gravity)
maintained.

It also affords you an opportunity to give them a good cleaning.

If you treat marine (especially) batteries properly it's not unusual
to double or triple their life expectancy. Keeping batteries in
service longer and out of landfills is good for the environment too.

On May 30, 2009, at 5:09 AM, Michael Wolczyk wrote:

> Interesting. I have a Mazda Miata which uses the AGM, and they are
> a PITA. Mazda has gone back to conventional. I have had very good
> luck with conventional batteries in my boat (outboard). Got a used
> Delco in 1988 and had it until 2003 (15+ years) when I switched it
> to a car I was selling. Also still have the original battery in my
> 1996 Ford. Trick is to store correctly and never let go dead.
>
> On Fri, May 29, 2009 at 4:50 PM, Wayne
> <wayne@...> wrote:
> I have a Sportsman 155 with a Buick V6 and would like to use an
> "Absorbed Glass Mat" battery. Any advise or warnings I should be
> aware of? I bought a dual purpose AGM battery with more CCA than
> the standard starting battery. It cost me $113.00 on sale, but I
> really like the higher reliability and 3 year warranty. I believe
> the maximum charge voltage for the battery is 14.1 volts and it
> should not be exceded. But I don't know what the voltage output of
> the alternator is.
> Wayne
>
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Received on Saturday, 30 May 2009