Another "thank you for the info" - however, I just finished reading the bit on charging and I think it has some holes in it. Come on folks, give some thought to this: IF we agree that electrons flow from - to +, how can a charger, whose output voltage is greater than the potential of the positive battery terminal it is clamped to, cause said electricity/electrons to flow INTO the battery? Isn't what caused to battery to become "discharged" caused by the number of said electrons that flowed from the negative plates, thru the load, and become stacked up on the positive plates, until there was no longer a difference in potential between the + & - plates, the reason current stopped flowing? The only thing that can put electricity/electrons INTO the battery is the chemical action WITHIN the battery. Looks to me that our chargers take electrons OUT/OFF of the positive plates....

I look forward to others thoughts('course you NAVY schooled techs will have other thoughts, since you were taught backwards - you guys think electrons flow WITH the arrow in a diode symbol....Flame suit donned!

I brought this up long time ago, when I first joined, and never got a response. Please jump in this time. I can always learn....'Couple times,tho, I HAVE had to actually pee ON the electric fence!

Jim

I think I only have about 3 wrinkles in my old brain and am just trying to find out if this one is screwed up....thnks

Jim

I pesonally like sealed, just in case of an oh $hit moment. Deep cycles like to be discharged and then recharged and if I'm not mistaken by putting them in a situation that does not use that feature, will shorten the lifespan, check with the vender tho, a lot of my info is old,too.

After reading the description again, it does say for marine use....duh Disregard my dyslexia

Like Joe (the family boater) I am away from the boats for extended periods.

On both boats (32' M and 17' Boston Whaler) I have installed solar chargers that just charge the engine start batteries. There is a 12 W panel on the Whaler with a splitter, and an 85 W panel on the M. I have not had a failure to start since - no dependence on shore power.

It has worked very well for me. I can't help him with the kids, our Crew is 17 now and doesn't talk to us at all, whatever.

http://www.batterystuff....orial_battery_made.html

This supports what I have been trying to tell folks that I read about why a battery "goes dead" on us. The theory I read years ago just stated that, since electrons is from negative to positive, that our lights, ignition etc, in our cars, bikes,etc continue to work until enough electrons pile up on the positive plates in the battery until there is no potential difference between positive and negative and current flow stops. This goes into the chemical action and makes it make even more sense to me....?

Good point Jeff!

I've got my batteries off the boat and in the basement. Occassionally I'll put a trickle charger on them overnight/until a "full charge" reading occurs. Will pick up a hydrometer to ensure all is good. Better here in the basement where it's easier to move around rather than the "basement of da boat"!

Bill

I use an 80W solar panel to provide a trickle charge to my batteries, in place on the boat. That way, I don't have to worry about a charger getting unplugged, and I assume that no one could steal the panel without being seen, since there are liveaboards in the marina.