[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Re: K-350 / AGM batteries



New technology in gel-cells brings them up to near AGM specs. Neither of them charge very fast, but the discharge rates and heat management are very similar these days. And gels are a whale of a lot cheapter than AGMs. This from a battery guy who markets both (including the MKs that Phil Nuytten uses).
Vance



-----Original Message-----
From: ShellyDalg@aol.com
To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
Sent: Sat, Feb 13, 2010 12:29 pm
Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Re: K-350 / AGM batteries

I have read the different specs on batteries and I know the AGM's are the most recommended.
There are quite a few things to consider for sure.
I have a question about charge cycles.
In applications such as ours, a golf cart seems the closest match in usage, where the system is charged at night and then receives a relatively deep discharge during the day.
From my reading the various battery sites, it seems the lead plate's thickness has  an impact on how many charge/discharge cycles a particular battery will withstand before it goes to hell.
Most golf carts use 6 volt batteries in series, and the plates are thicker than the ones in 12 volt batteries.
Now I realize these are all wet cell batteries.
The thicker plates in a 6 volt battery are apparently able to withstand more deep discharge cycles than the thinner 12 volt plates. The overall size of the batteries is close to the same but the 6 volt with only 3 cells has bigger cells, I assume because the plates are thicker.
I've seen some battery manufacturers claim up to 700 cycles, while others don't have a set number of cycles published.
AGM's have advantages as far a spilling, out gassing, and maybe reduced charge times.
I'm wondering how many cycles can be reasonably expected, provided the batteries aren't abused by discharging them too low during any one dive.
Frank D.