[C320-list] AGM Batteries and Battery Charger

[Bruce Heyman]

Bob,
Do you also have the Balmer external regulator?  Is it set for AGM
batteries?   According to Lifeline's web site:

"GPL-4DL Charging Instructions and Voltages:
Bulk Charge Voltages: 14.20 - 14.60
Absorbtion Charge Voltages: 14.20 - 14.60volts
Float Charge Voltages: 13.10 - 13.40
The GPL-4DL is designed for charging amperages up to 210 amps or 100% of the
rated Amp Hour Capacity due to low battery internal resistance."

If the external regulator is set for wet batteries then it will cut back the
bulk mode fairly quickly and you lose the big advantage of having the larger
alternator.  If not it should take all that the Alternator can give it
during the bulk phase.  I believe wet batteries are limited to about 25% of
amp hour capacity.

Bruce Heyman Somerset #671 SoCal
-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Robert Tiernay
Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 6:16 AM
To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] AGM Batteries and Battery Charger

I have had 2 lifleine 4d's for about 3 years.  They are great except that
they need to be fully charged (down to 0.5% of capacity 2 amps in my case).
If you don't do that they slowly sulphate up.  I take them down to about 8
amps and go to a marina every couple of weeks (we spend the winters in the
bahamas).  This seems to prevent the sulphation from getting hard.  If you
do some research you'll find lots of people having problems because of the
charging regimen they use.  Lifeline has a manual that you can download -
read it over.  Remember that you can't equalize lifeline batteries
regularly - lifeline used to allow it once a year.  I haven't checked to see
if they have changed that recommendation.

Regarding the charger I have a 100 A Balmar but find that the current drops
very quickly - I would think that a 50A charger would increase the charge
time very little.

Bob Tiernay
Windwalker