[C320-list] AGM Batteries and Battery Charger

[Warren Updike]

Re. equalizing.  Battery charger mfgrs. seem to be backing away from
equalizing. Balmar told me they are removing the equalizing mode from at
least one of their ext. regulators in the next release. Another told me that
equalizing on a boat is impractical as the batteries should be removed from
the boat and equalized on-shore. Apparently, it's a process meant to be
closely monitored. 

I have one portable 3-stage charger that has a "conditioning" mode. The one
I had prior (same mfgr,) had both a conditioning and equalizing option.
Also, there is a device (Sailor Solutions I think,) that is permanently
installed, runs on battery power and is more or less constantly
"conditioning."

Conditioning involves generating a low-power high frequency current that is
supposed to de-sulfate the plates.  I have been reluctant to sign-on to
this, yet I've not heard anything negative about it. Can anyone provide
relevant info?  How about it, Jeff H.?  Do you know anything about this?
Can it be harmful to batteries?

Warren & Pattie Updike
Catalina 320, #62, "Warr De Mar"
Middle River, Chesapeake Bay

-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Tiernay [mailto:bob.tiernay at gmail.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 9:16 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