Tips on Choosing a Marine Battery For Your Boat

The type of battery most utilized in the boating community remains the wet-celled lead acid battery. Using an electrolyte consisting of sulfuric acid, these cells can store large amounts of electrical energy in a relatively little space. This energy is stored within lead grids mounted inside the battery. The lead is what makes wet-celled batteries so heavy.

The battery selection is further divided along the lines of battery construction. Presently, there are three common battery technologies: Wet-cell, Gel, and AGM.

As we stated earlier, wet-celled technology is the most commonly used battery. They offer the most size choices, are the cheapest and can be found almost anyplace. In the marine business, they usually are not sealed so the user can replenish any electrolyte the battery vented while charging the battery. Each cell will feature a grid of lead plates along with an electrolyte based on sulfuric acid. The grids in wet-celled batteries are only supported along the edges, hence these are the weakest mechanically. Since the container is not sealed, great care has to be taken to ensure that the electrolyte does not come into contact with you (burns!) or seawater (chlorine gas!), or an explosion from the hydrogen produced. Batteries should always be stored in a spill-proof box.

Gel Cells use a thickening agent to immobilize the electrolyte. So if the container is cracked, the cell will continue to perform as normal. In addition, the thickening agent prevents stratification by forestalling the electrolyte from sloshing around. Gel cell are sealed and cannot be re-filled so controlling the rate of charge is crucial. Over charging will ruin them in short order.

Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries are the latest step in the development of batteries. Instead of using a gel, an AGM uses a fiberglass like separator to hold the electrolyte in place. The physical bond between the separator fibers, the lead plates, and the container make AGMs spill-proof and the most vibration and impact tolerant lead-acid batteries available today. These batteries got their start in the aircraft industry

An AGM battery can do anything a gel-cell can do, but only better. However, since they are also sealed, charging has to be controlled cautiously or they too can be ruined in short order.

Absorbed Glass Mat batteries are relatively new but are quickly winning acceptance. Here are a few good reasons to consider them:

1 - AGM batteries can dispense a charge at a higher rate than wet-celled batteries.

2 - No gassing under normal circumstances: AGM batteries are sealed under pressure to recombine oxygen and hydrogen into water during the charging process. Some of your high-end yacht builders use AGMs in their boats like Broward and Viking.

The ability to put AGMs in the bilges (they can even function under water) also lengthens their lives; Remember that for every 15 degrees over 77F, a battery's life will be cut in half

AGM batteries will even function upside down and even if a container is broken, it will not leak. This should be of particular importance to blue-water cruisers that could find themselves bounced around; you would not want sulfuric acid in your boat. Appropriate (heavy duty) battery restraints are a must, irrespective of battery type.

AGMs require no maintenance once the charging system has been properly set up.

The costs of batteries are an issue:

Let's compare prices

- Wet cell 8-D - $150.00
- Gel - 8-D - $250.00
- AGM - 8-D $365.00 (Marine centers have them for $501.00)

So choose the battery you feel is best for you and have fun with your boat.

Backup Sump Pump Systems - Choosing the Right Battery

For years, I have been advocating the necessity of battery backup sump pump systems for homeowners serious about waterproofing their basements. A backup system by itself, however, is not the only necessary measure. Another factor that may be just as important, if not more is the battery. The best backup system in the world may be completely useless if the actual battery is one of poor quality.

Deep-cycle, no-maintenance marine batteries are the best designed battery for supplying DC currents to battery backup sump pump systems. Most large rechargeable batteries are lead-acid type, as opposed to NiCads, which are generally more expensive. The acid in a lead-acid type marine battery will generally contain 30% sulfuric acid at a full charge. Through my 22 plus years experience as a supplier of battery backup sump pump systems to contractors around the United States and Canada, the most effective battery is AGM - Absorption Glass Mat.

Most typical gelled batteries contain the combination of acid and silica gel. AGM batteries provide all the advantages that come with gelled batteries. They do not, however, exhibit the disadvantages of gel batteries. The acid in an AGM battery is contained by the fiberglass mat, and yet is still available for the battery's plates, resulting in faster migration of acid. This gives the battery a higher rate of delivery and absorption of amperage. Most typical gelled batteries must be charged at a slower rate to prevent cell damage from excess gas.

AGM batteries can be charged at normal voltages, without the need to recalibrate, or purchase special chargers. There are no charge or discharge current limits. With AGM's low internal resistance, the buildup of heat is almost non-existent, during normal and heavy charged and discharged currents. Other gelled batteries have the potential to lose capacity if overcharged due to voids developing in the gel.

With the AGM battery's low self-discharge of one to three percent average per month, they are able to be stored for a longer period of time without charging versus other batteries. Even if discharged for more than 30 days, an AGM battery can be recharged to almost full capacity.

Through electrolysis, AGM batteries preserve water as they charge. This is possible because of the recombining of hydrogen and oxygen, thus converting to water while inside the battery. Water loss in other gelled batteries, especially in hotter climates, is quite common and often leads to the premature death of a battery after a few short years. With the AGM battery, water loss is not a problem, making it maintenance-free.

Because of the mounted plates, acid will not leak or spill from AGM batteries. Because the plates are packed tightly, they can withstand shock and vibration. AGM batteries are completely non-hazardous, making them a more viable (and cheaper) option for shipping.

When considering the purchase of a battery backup sump pump system, insisting that the pump uses an AGM battery would be the wisest choice in order to maximize the effectiveness of the sump pump.

Choosing Rechargeable Batteries For Cordless Vacuums

Vacuums get a lot of use, and so it is very important to choose one which is very reliable. Buying a vacuum isn't actually a bad gift idea, there are many different types of vacuums which might make great gifts! It's vital to use a vacuum to keep your house tidy, especially if you have carpets. A cordless vacuum is also extremely useful for tidying your car.

It will be very helpful and useful if you purchase a cordless vacuum. They're not even that expensive, you can find some pretty good deals. You should be prepared to spend some time choosing your cordless vacuum so that you can get the best one possible. There are many different brands of vacuum cleaner which are available. Most home improvement stores stock a wide range of different cordless cleaners which may be of interest to you. It pays to research the different types of vacuum cleaner available before you choose to buy one as it will have to last you for a very long time.

Cordless vacuum cleaners are fantastic, they are a very good method of cleaning difficult to reach surfaces. Carrying around a heavy vacuum makes cleaning even less fun! Cordless vacuums can make it slightly more interesting. Cordless vacuum cleaners make it possible to move around much easier which can almost make cleaning fun! I said almost! Unfortunately cleaning can never be fun!

Cordless vacuum cleaners are powered by batteries. Most of these vacuums will come with a battery charger which is simply plugged into your homes mains supply. You simply need to leave this plugged in to charge the batteries up. The charging circuit will automatically switch off when the battery is full. As soon as the battery is charged you're ready to start using your vacuum. It's a good idea to choose a model which has two batteries so that you can charge one while you are using the other.

Lots of people like the idea of being able to use their cordless vacuum cleaner to clean their car, it's much better than using a corded vacuum which can be a real pain. You will be able to use these vacuums without having to plug it in which means it's much easier to reach those hard to reach places. I'm sure we've all been frustrated when we're at the end of the tether with corded vacuum designs! You can only go so far with a corded vacuum cleaner which you plug into the mains. No matter how many extension leads you plug in it's a lot of hassle to use!

By using cordless vacuum cleaners you have a lot of flexibility when vacuuming your car. You can vacuum your car without having to bother with extension leads! It's a good idea to buy from a reputable company so that you are buying a quality cleaner.