[C320-list] Battery boxes

[Larry Frank]

John,

It appears that most of your questions have been answered.

I currently have gel cells and what I like most is that they are maintenance
free.  I don't need to add water.

What nobody seemed to have said is that there three battery technologies to
choose from.  If you know this then I apologize for assuming you don't.

Wet cells use liquid sulfuric acid as the electrolyte.  You have to check
and add distilled water periodically as a maintenance item.  Sulfuric acid
is highly corrosive and must be handled with care.  Rolls has a very good
reputation for this type of battery.

Gel cells use an electrolyte that is in a gel.  It is not a liquid.  You do
not add water to this type of battery and there is not much potential for
spillage.

AGM are absorbed glass mat batteries.   The electrolyte is absorbed in a
glass mat and like the gel cells, you do not add water.  Like the gel they
are maintenance free with little chance for any spillage.

Each battery type has its pros and cons.  The main advantage of a wet cell
is that it will cost far less.  For some reason I am nervous about battery
acid sloshing around and maybe spilling from the top of a wet cell so I
chose one of the other two.  I will add however that I never once had any
problem with wet cells in this regard.

Larry


-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of
LOCALJG at aol.com
Sent: Saturday, August 14, 2010 2:30 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Battery boxes

Hi Larry:  Thanks for the info.  My boat is paid for so this isn't an 
insurance issue.  I was just curious.  I like doing things correctly and
just 
couldn't understand why Catalina would not be doing "the right thing" when
it 
came to battery boxes.  Apparently Catalina is doing the right thing.  
 
Which reminds me; thank you to all the people who provided me with the 
wealth of information that has been sent.  Whatever they are paying you
guys, it 
isn't enough.  
 
Larry, you mentioned two other types of batteries; AGMs and Gells.  I was 
under the understanding that the Rolls 4D was, well, the Rolls Royce of 
batteries?  For a cruising C320, do you believe another battery would
provide the 
requisite energy and still provide such a long life as the 4D?  The 4Ds I 
am about to replace have been in service for over 10 years and are only now 
beginning to have issues.  
 
One thing I can say about not having a battery sealed in a battery box is 
that there has been some acid leakage down the battery and onto the 
fiberglass.  The fiberglass has been discolored but still holds strong.  
 
Does anyone else have this acid on fiberglass issue?  
 
John # 329