I dont' think AGM is a great technology for high use batteries.

AGM's are exactly what you want for batteries with frequent and deep charge
cycles. You simply bought the wrong ones.

On Thu, 26 Feb 2004 07:01:44 -0700, "RG" wrote:


I dont' think AGM is a great technology for high use batteries.

AGM's are exactly what you want for batteries with frequent and deep charge
cycles. You simply bought the wrong ones.

Ok, let's play a game.

Which ones should I have purchased?

Later,

Tom
S. Woodstock, CT
----------

Basic Fishing Program:

10 - Fish
20 - Eat
30 - Sleep
40 - Goto 10

"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 26 Feb 2004 07:01:44 -0700, "RG" wrote:


I dont' think AGM is a great technology for high use batteries.

AGM's are exactly what you want for batteries with frequent and deep
charge
cycles. You simply bought the wrong ones.

Ok, let's play a game.

Which ones should I have purchased?

Not much of a game, really. I referenced them in a prior post in this very
thread. Here it is again:
http://www.lifelinebatteries.com/marinebattery.asp.

Take the group 27 as an example. This is a very common size for deep cycles
on small boats. Lifeline's G27 has 100 AH capacity, measured at the 20 HR
rate. This is equal to the best of flooded cell batteries in its size
range, and double that of Optima's blue top. Some reasons an AGM G27 is
superior to a quality flooded cell G27.

1. No corrosive and noxious gassing when charging. AGMs were originally
designed for military applications. Lifelines still meet milspec for
non-gassing.

2. No leaking or spilling of corrosive electrolyte.

3. All batteries have a finite life. AGMs have been shown to have
significantly more charge cycles in their life than flooded cells, and this
is comparing them to properly maintained flooded cells. Neglect or abuse a
flooded cell, and it's not even a horse race.

4. AGMs are substantially better equipped than flooded cells to deal with
shock and vibration, common environmental conditions found in a marine
application.

5. Efficiency. Due to their relatively high internal resistance, three
performance advantages are achieved over flooded cells. A) They will
retain their voltage better under heavy current load. B) They will accept
recharging current much faster than a flooded cell, resulting in shorter
recycle times. C) They have a negligible self-discharge rate, much lower
than flooded cells. This is important if your batteries tend to stay idle
for long periods of time.

6. All of the above comes with the sweetest bonus of all. Zero
maintenance. Big in my book. Please note that the above characteristics
may not necessarily apply to gel-cell batteries, which are a completely
different, and much inferior technology to AGM technology.

Lifeline G27's can be bought for about $150-160 each. 5 year warranty.
I've had three of them in service for two and a half years. I've more than
gotten my money out of them, but they still are going strong. These are
house/starting batteries that are very heavily used. If they died tomorrow,
I wouldn't hesitate to replace them with the very same battery, even if the
warranty wasn't in place.

Batteries are no game to me. I researched long and hard before laying out
nearly $500 for three of them. It turned out to be one of the very best
$500 I've ever spent on the boat. These inspire complete confidence and I
no longer have to contort myself monthly to perform maintenance on batteries
that are difficult to access. If I'd known then what I know now, I would
have removed the OEM flooded cell G27's immediately upon delivery of the
boat and donated them to someone at the marina, replacing them with the
Lifelines. Would have made the first two years of ownership much more
enjoyable.

BTW, Lifeline AGMs are standard equipment on many U.S. Navy crafts, fine
yachts built by Pacific Seacraft, Island Packet, and Hinckley Company to
mention three, and quality coaches built by such companies as Vision Coach,
Royal Coach and Vantare Coach.

On Thu, 26 Feb 2004 08:51:04 -0700, "RG" wrote:


~~ snippity do da ~~

BTW, Lifeline AGMs are standard equipment on many U.S. Navy crafts, fine
yachts built by Pacific Seacraft, Island Packet, and Hinckley Company to
mention three, and quality coaches built by such companies as Vision Coach,
Royal Coach and Vantare Coach.

Ok, you and the Lifeline site convinced me. I need new batteries,
I'll give them a try.

Later,

Tom
S. Woodstock, CT
----------

Basic Fishing Program:

10 - Fish
20 - Eat
30 - Sleep
40 - Goto 10

"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 26 Feb 2004 08:51:04 -0700, "RG" wrote:


~~ snippity do da ~~

BTW, Lifeline AGMs are standard equipment on many U.S. Navy crafts, fine
yachts built by Pacific Seacraft, Island Packet, and Hinckley Company to
mention three, and quality coaches built by such companies as Vision
Coach,
Royal Coach and Vantare Coach.

Ok, you and the Lifeline site convinced me. I need new batteries,
I'll give them a try.


If you're half as satisfied as I've been with their performance, you'll feel
great about the purchase. I've had friends by them on my recommendation,
and they've been equally pleased. Happy boating.

*ERRATA*

5. Efficiency. Due to their relatively high internal resistance,

Should read: Due to their relatively low internal resistance.

Well Tom,
As long as its a fantasy game;
Had you purchased a Kohler, or other marine generator, the point would be
moot. G


--
Capt. Frank

__c
\ _ | \_
__\_| oooo \_____
~~~~|______________/ ~~~~~
www.home.earthlink.net/~aartworks
"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in
message ...
On Thu, 26 Feb 2004 07:01:44 -0700, "RG" wrote:


I dont' think AGM is a great technology for high use batteries.

AGM's are exactly what you want for batteries with frequent and deep
charge
cycles. You simply bought the wrong ones.

Ok, let's play a game.

Which ones should I have purchased?

Later,

Tom
S. Woodstock, CT
----------

Basic Fishing Program:

10 - Fish
20 - Eat
30 - Sleep
40 - Goto 10

"Capt Frank Hopkins" wrote in message
link.net...

Well Tom,
As long as its a fantasy game;
Had you purchased a Kohler, or other marine generator, the point would
be
moot. G


Hardly. I have a 5KW Kohler genset on my boat, and it has absolutely
nothing to do with my criteria for selecting batteries. Please explain how
the presence of a marine genset renders moot the safety, durability,
performance, and maintenance advantages of AGM batteries over flooded cells?
Also, if you wouldn't mind, please provide some background regarding your
rank of Captain. Just curious on the latter.

On Fri, 27 Feb 2004 02:53:20 GMT, "Capt Frank Hopkins"
wrote:


Well Tom,
As long as its a fantasy game;
Had you purchased a Kohler, or other marine generator, the point would be
moot. G

I suppose, but it would look a little silly on a inshore 20 foot bay
boat.

Later,

Tom
S. Woodstock, CT
----------

Basic Fishing Program:

10 - Fish
20 - Eat
30 - Sleep
40 - Goto 10

"Capt Frank Hopkins" wrote in message
link.net...

Well Tom,
As long as its a fantasy game;
Had you purchased a Kohler, or other marine generator, the point would
be
moot. G


Any why is that?

Or are you implying that everyone should run a generator 24 hours a day?

Rod