[A/S] Re: Boondocking Battery specs, which is most important?

["Maurice Riggins" <maurice.riggins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Check your private email.

> >I think since I'm going to work in that area
> >anyway, I'm going to add a Link 10 amp-hour meter.
> 
> not sure how this increases your recharge level.

An amp-hour meter lets you monitor not only instantaneous voltage and 
current, but integrates this over time to show how many amp-hours 
you've used since the last recharge, as well as lets you know how 
many you put back with charging.  The Trimetic and Trace meters don't 
let you enter a Peukret Exponent, so I'm not sure they consider it.  
The Link does.  The big issue is that charge time increases the 
higher the charge in the battery.  For example, it may take twice as 
long to go from 80% to 90% charge, as it does going from 40% to 80%, 
and then twice as long or more to go from 90% to 100% as it does 
going from 80% to 90%.  This depends on the charge voltage.  But the 
point is that you don't want to run the generator once the batteries 
get in this "takes forever to add a little more" area.

> and are you doing this with Optima's??

Can't afford to, and I don't mean that financially. If you don't need 
much capacity, and can afford the "cool factor" of the Optimas or 
need one of there advantages, that's fine.  But with this big 
trailer, I need all the capacity I can get.  The much lower price of 
the much more capable batteries is just a fringe benefit.

> Final, what is the problem with Intellipower not allowing use on gel
> cells??

Don't confuse absorbed glass mat (AGM, i.e. Optima) batteries with 
gel cells. The AGM batteries, even with suspended electolyte, are 
still wet cells.  In fact, the AGM can take a bit higher voltage on 
recharge than the flooded cell, so the IP w/CW is fine with them.  
The electrolyte in gel cells starts out like Jello when they're new 
then gets harder over time and can crack.  They can't take as much 
voltage as the IP w/CW puts out, and they're more susceptible to 
damage from overcharging.  Progressive Dynamics marine chargers can 
be set for gel cells.

Hope this helps,
--
Maurice
WBCCI 5446